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Difficulty: MediumPronoun Clarity and Reference

Read the passage below and consider the underlined word:

Cephalopods, such as octopuses and cuttlefish, possess specialized skin cells called chromatophores that allow them to change color rapidly. When predators approach, these creatures can blend seamlessly into their surroundings or display warning patterns. This is key to their survival in the open ocean, where shelter is scarce.

Which of the choices best replaces the underlined word to make the reference clear and precise?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. This behaviorAnswer
  3. C
    Which
  4. D
    It

Answer

This behavior
The correct option replaces the vague pronoun with a specific noun phrase. In the original sentence, the pronoun has no clear, single noun antecedent, as it refers broadly to the actions of blending in or displaying warning patterns. Adding the noun 'behavior' makes the reference precise.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the underlined word in context and identify any grammatical errors or clarity issues.
The underlined word is the demonstrative pronoun 'This', which is used as the subject of the sentence. Looking at the preceding sentence, there is no single noun that 'This' refers to. Instead, it refers vaguely to the actions of blending in or displaying warning patterns.
This step helps identify that the core issue is a vague pronoun reference.
2
Evaluate the answer choices to find the one that establishes a clear and precise reference without introducing new grammatical errors.
Replacing 'This' with 'This behavior' provides a clear noun ('behavior') that the demonstrative adjective modifies, resolving the vague reference. The other options either maintain the vague reference ('NO CHANGE' and 'It') or create a sentence fragment ('Which').
This step confirms the grammatically correct and clearest choice.

Key Concept

Pronoun Clarity and Reference
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Topics

Pronoun Clarity and Reference

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