No idea about 大全-12-5

reginaer

5.     The Forbidden City in Beijing, from which the emperors ruled by heavenly mandate, was a site which a commoner or foreigner could not enter without any permission, on pain of death.

(A) which a commoner or foreigner could not enter without any permission,

(B) which a commoner or foreigner could enter without any permission only

(C) which no commoner or foreigner could enter without permission,

(D) which, without permission, neither commoner or foreigner could only enter,（C）

(E) which, to enter without permission, neither commoner or foreigner could do,

The answer is C. How? I completely have no idea.

shiningstar

First，I argue for that "without any" is not redundant.

I think "a commoner or foreign" is illogical. Let's see the explanation of noun in longman "a word or group of words that represent a person, a place, a thing or activity, or a quality or idea. ". Through the last two pharse, we can see "a thing or activity", "a quality or idea" and "a place" are parallel, so each refers to one type. That means when we refer to different types of person or thing, the artilce cannot be omit. Thus the right expression should be "a commoner or a foreign". It seem to be a logical prediation problem.

Second, "on pain of death" modifies the whole sentence, which means "otherwise punished by death", it is The Adverable of Condition, but I am not sure.

reginaer

Thanks! 

First question, I find a sentance from Longman right now:

Suddenly and without any warning, the army opened fire.

Seems that "without any" is not redundant.

Second question, Shall I read this sentence as below construction:

The Forbidden City in Beijing, from which the emperors ruled by heavenly mandate, ..., on pain of death.

"On pain of death" modifies mandate, right?

这题是否应该从意思或句子结构来解题?

michizer

AB without 和any语义重复

DE neither or错