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Difficulty: HardAdjective and Adverb Usage

Based on the passage below, which choice best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence?

"While examining the brushstrokes of the Renaissance painting, the conservator noticed that the lead-tin yellow pigment had degraded much more rapid than the lead white, causing the highlights on the drapery to lose their original brilliance."

  1. A
    much more rapid
  2. much more rapidlyAnswer
  3. C
    more rapider
  4. D
    most rapidly

Answer

The correct option is the one that reads 'much more rapidly'.
The correct answer contains the adverb 'rapidly' because it modifies the action verb 'had degraded'. Additionally, since the sentence is comparing exactly two pigments (lead-tin yellow and lead white), it correctly uses the comparative form 'more' rather than the superlative form 'most'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the word modified by the underlined modifier.
The modifier describes the verb 'had degraded'.
Since it modifies a verb, an adverb is required instead of an adjective.
2
Identify the number of items being compared to determine the correct degree of comparison.
The sentence compares exactly two items: the lead-tin yellow pigment and the lead white.
A comparison between two items requires a comparative modifier (more) rather than a superlative modifier (most).
3
Select the correct form of the adverb and eliminate grammatically incorrect combinations.
'rapidly' is the adverb, and its comparative form is 'more rapidly'. 'more rapider' is incorrect due to a double comparative.
We must avoid double comparatives and use the correct adverb form.

Key Concept

Distinguishing between adjectives and adverbs to modify verbs, and using correct comparative modifiers for two entities.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Adjective and Adverb Usage

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