I gather(A) with local seen(B) and

Solution

The verb 'seen' doesn't fit in the second position. It should be a noun which is qualified by the adjective 'local' (relating or restricted to a particular area or one's neighbourhood). The verb in the fifth position should be a participle verb as it follows the verb 'been' which requires a participle verb after it. The verb 'seen' fits perfectly in the fifth position and the noun 'researchers' fits perfectly in the second position. So, B and E should be interchanged. The third position requires a base verb as it follows the infinitive marker 'to' [which requires a base verb after it]. The base verb 'gather' fits perfectly in the third position. Also, the verb 'connected' joins the subject 'I' with the rest of the sentence. So, C and A should be interchanged. Hence, option (b) is the correct answer. The correct sentence is: I connected with local researchers and photographers to gather information about where the Dholes had been seen before.