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Difficulty: MediumPronoun Clarity and Reference

At the local history museum, the conservation team worked diligently to prepare for the upcoming exhibition of ancient Mesopotamian artifacts. When the curators placed the fragile clay tablets inside the new glass display cases, they were polished to a mirror-like shine. This attention to detail allowed visitors to easily view the intricate cuneiform inscriptions.

Which choice best clarifies the underlined pronoun's reference in the passage?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. the casesAnswer
  3. C
    each of the display cases that had been newly acquired
  4. D
    it's glass

Answer

the cases
The correct choice replaces the ambiguous pronoun with the specific noun phrase 'the cases,' which clearly identifies the subject of the clause and resolves the ambiguity. In standard English conventions, a pronoun must refer clearly and unambiguously to a single antecedent.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the underlined pronoun and its potential antecedents in the sentence.
The pronoun is 'they,' and the preceding plural nouns are 'clay tablets' and 'glass display cases.'
Before correcting a pronoun error, you must determine what nouns the pronoun could possibly refer to in the context.
2
Determine if the reference of the pronoun is clear.
Since both the tablets and the cases could logically be polished, 'they' is ambiguous.
Under ACT guidelines, a pronoun must have a single, clear, and unambiguous antecedent.
3
Evaluate the options to find a choice that resolves the ambiguity concisely.
The noun phrase 'the cases' specifies the antecedent directly and maintains the sentence's concise flow.
Replacing the pronoun with a specific noun clarifies the meaning without adding unnecessary wordiness.

Key Concept

Pronoun Clarity and Reference
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Topics

Pronoun Clarity and Reference

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