Question

They stepped off the path and surveyed the scene. Which choice retains the same meaning while varying the syntax of the above sentence?

a."They stepped around the path and surveyed the scene."
b.Stepping off the path, they surveyed the scene."
c.They surveyed the scene then stepped back onto the path."
d.They surveyed the path and stepped onto the scene."

Answer 1

Answer: B) Stepping off the path, they surveyed the scene."

Explanation: The correct answer is Stepping off the path, they surveyed the scene." This is the answer which changes the syntax while retaining the meaning.

Answer 2

b.Stepping off the path, they surveyed the scene."

This is the only option that retains the correct order of events: the couple stepped off the path first and then looked around. Even though the syntax in this version is changed around to place the second clause first, it still keeps the event in order.