改错题 19.Once numbering in the millions worldwide, it is estimated that the wolf has declined to 200,000 in 57 countries, some 11,000 of them to be found in the lower 48 United States and Alaska.

A、 it is estimated that the wolf has declined to 200,000 in 57 countries, some
B、 the wolf is estimated to have declined to 200,000 in 57 countries, with approximately
C、 the wolf has declined to an estimate of 200,000 in 57 countries, some
D、 wolves have declined to an estimate of 200,000 in 57 countries, with approximately
E、 wolves have declined to an estimated 200,000 in 57 countries, some

【正确答案】 E

【答案解析】Logical predication; Idiom
The predicate numbered must have its logically correct subject, which is wolves. Although the wolf can be used to refer collectively to wolves as a category, the noun should be plural in this case since the sentence refers to numbers of them and since agreement is needed between the noun and the plural pronoun them. Given the plural subject, the verb in the independent clause should be have declined. The object of decline to should be a word or phrase naming a number or estimated number (e.g., a phrase such as an estimated 200,000), no the phrase an estimate.
A The subject of the main clause (it) seems to supply the subject of numbering, so the latter does not have its correct logical subject, which should be a word or phrase referring to wolves.
B The wolf cannot correctly be taken as the subject of numbering, as it is singular and in disagreement with them occurring later in the sentence.
C The wolf cannot correctly be taken as the subject of numbering, as it is singular and disagrees with the later them; also, a decline is strictly speaking to a number, not to an estimate.
D Although wolves is a correct subject for numbering, a decline should be to a number, not to an estimate.
E Correct. Wolves is a proper subject for numbering and agrees with the later them. The decline is correctly said to be to a number, an estimated 200,000.
The correct answer is E.