reducing the rate at which they burn energy

[manhhiep2509]

Hello.

My issue is related to a paid question, VSC003141, in GMAT PREP. <You can google "In order to conserve the energy and heat" to see the official question.>

The correct answer similar to the below example.

"in winter, the wolves huddle in their caves, reducing the rate at which they burn energy so that the rate is 30 percent lower than it would be for isolated wolves."

As I understand the sentence, "the rate" refers to the rate at which the wolves burn energy when they huddle, and "it" refer to the rate at which isolated wolves burn energy.
So, are the rates different?
I think they are. So, why can "it" refer to "the rate"?

Thank you.

[ramendra.awesome]

In my opinion 'it' clearly refers to rate, as there is no better antecedent than rate.

They are all rates, but with different values.

Experts please advise.

[RonPurewal]

If the boldface part said "the rate at which wolves burn energy when they huddle", you'd have a valid point.
The same problem would exist if the sentence contained "that rate" in place of "the rate", in which case we'd specifically be referring to the previously mentioned rate.

But, neither of these things is true. It just says "the rate", so "it" is just "the rate".

You should also realize that this is the exact reason why the word "rate" is repeated. That may otherwise seem to create redundancy, but you're creating a valid antecedent for the pronoun.

[manhhiep2509]

If the boldface part said "the rate at which wolves burn energy when they huddle", you'd have a valid point.
The same problem would exist if the sentence contained "that rate" in place of "the rate", in which case we'd specifically be referring to the previously mentioned rate.

But, neither of these things is true. It just says "the rate", so "it" is just "the rate".

You should also realize that this is the exact reason why the word "rate" is repeated. That may otherwise seem to create redundancy, but you're creating a valid antecedent for the pronoun.

You meant that "the rate" in boldface does not refer to "the rate in which ..."
or that even if it refers to "the rate in which ...", its nature allow that "it" in boldface could refer to it.

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Please explain the meaning of "so that" in the sentence.
I usually see that "so that" is used to indicate a purpose, but in the sentence the meaning does not fit.

Thank you.

[jlucero]

You meant that "the rate" in boldface does not refer to "the rate in which ..."
or that even if it refers to "the rate in which ...", its nature allow that "it" in boldface could refer to it.

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Please explain the meaning of "so that" in the sentence.
I usually see that "so that" is used to indicate a purpose, but in the sentence the meaning does not fit.

Thank you.

There is purpose here. This is why the wolves huddle in caves.