The results of two recent unrelated studies support the idea that dolphins may share certain cognitive abilities with humans and
great apes; the studies indicate dolphins as capable of recognizing themselves in mirrors—an ability that is often considered a sign of self-awareness—and to grasp spontaneously the mood or intention of humans. A. dolphins as capable of recognizing themselves in mirrors—an ability that is often considered a sign of self-awareness—and to grasp spontaneously
B. dolphins' ability to recognize themselves in mirrors—an ability that is often considered as a sign of self-awareness—and of spontaneously grasping
C. dolphins to be capable of recognizing themselves in mirrors—an ability that is often considered a sign of self-awareness—and to grasp spontaneously
D. that dolphins have the ability of recognizing themselves in mirrors—an ability that is often considered as a sign of self-awareness—and spontaneously grasping
E. that dolphins are capable of recognizing themselves in mirrors—an ability that is often considered a sign of self-awareness—and of spontaneously grasping
In this clause there is a verbal ellipsis after the hyphenated comment because it is not necessary to repeat <em>are capable.</em> However it is still required to keep parallelism and that's why a gerund is used after the preposition <em>of</em> when mentioning the second ability (recognizing - grasping).
Options A, B and C lack parallel structures. Option D is not possible because <em>have the ability </em>should be foll owed by a verb in the infinitive form, e.g "... the ability to recognize..."
4. <span>I seized the bell-rope; dropped it, ashamed; seized it again; dropped it once more; clutched it tremblingly once again, and pulled it so feebly that I could hardly hear the stroke myself. </span>
So the question is asking how the person thats telling the story use the story to explain facts about the natural world or specific Cherokee traditions. its sort like using the creation of the story as an example