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Question 161Question →

The decipherment of Linear B by Michael Ventris in 1952 proved that the Mycenaeans spoke an early form of Greek; the script's precursor, Linear A, remaining largely undeciphered because of the brevity of the surviving inscriptions and the lack of a bilingual text.

Which of the following is the best replacement for the underlined portion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Greek; the script's precursor, Linear A, remains largely undeciphered

Answer

Greek; the script's precursor, Linear A, remains largely undeciphered
The correct option is the one that uses a semicolon to separate two complete, independent clauses and utilizes the finite verb 'remains' instead of the participle 'remaining'. Both 'The decipherment of Linear B by Michael Ventris in 1952 proved that the Mycenaeans spoke an early form of Greek' and 'the script's precursor, Linear A, remains largely undeciphered because of the brevity of the surviving inscriptions and the lack of a bilingual text' are independent clauses, so joining them with a semicolon is grammatically correct.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the clause structure of the original sentence.
The sentence contains two main clauses: the decipherment of Linear B proving that the Mycenaeans spoke early Greek, and Linear A remaining undeciphered.
Understanding the boundaries of each clause helps determine what punctuation and verb forms are grammatically required.
2
Analyze the second clause to see if it is independent.
In the original sentence, the phrase 'the script's precursor, Linear A, remaining largely undeciphered' has a participle ('remaining') rather than a finite verb, making it a fragment.
A complete sentence or independent clause must contain a subject and a finite verb.
3
Determine the correct punctuation to link the two independent clauses.
The first clause is independent. The second clause, when corrected to use the finite verb 'remains', is also independent. Two independent clauses can be joined using a semicolon or a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction.
Using a semicolon is appropriate to link two closely related independent clauses, whereas using a comma alone results in a comma splice.

Key Concept

Distinguishing between independent clauses and fragments to choose proper punctuation and verb forms.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 162Question →

When setting up a new saltwater aquarium, hobbyists must regularly monitor the water temperature, test the salinity levels, and performing frequent water changes to keep the fish healthy.

Which of the following is the best replacement for the underlined portion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: perform

Answer

The correct answer is 'perform'.
The correct option is 'perform' because it is a base form verb that is grammatically parallel to the other verbs in the series, 'monitor' and 'test'. All three actions are governed by the modal verb 'must'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the list of actions in the sentence and determine their grammatical structure.
The sentence lists three actions following the auxiliary verb 'must': 'monitor' and 'test'. Both are base form verbs (bare infinitives).
Parallel structure requires all elements in a list or series to share the same grammatical form.
2
Analyze the underlined word to see if it matches the established pattern.
The word 'performing' is a present participle, which does not match the base verb form of 'monitor' and 'test'.
Using a different verb form breaks the parallelism of the list.
3
Choose the option that matches the base verb form.
The base verb 'perform' completes the list parallelly: 'monitor', 'test', and 'perform'.
This maintains the grammatical consistency and correctness of the sentence.

Key Concept

Parallel structure in lists of verbs
Estimated Time:45s
Question 163Question →

The training schedule of a marathon runner is much more grueling than a casual jogger, requiring hours of daily endurance work.

Which of the following options is the best replacement for the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: that of a casual jogger

Answer

The correct answer is the option that replaces the underlined text with 'that of a casual jogger'.
The correct option is 'that of a casual jogger' because it uses the singular pronoun 'that' to represent 'the training schedule'. This ensures a logical comparison between the training schedule of a marathon runner and the training schedule of a casual jogger.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the two elements being compared in the sentence structure.
The sentence compares 'the training schedule' of a marathon runner to 'a casual jogger'.
A schedule cannot logically be compared to a person; it must be compared to another schedule.
2
Find the pronoun option that correctly represents the compared noun and maintains logical parallel structure.
Since 'the training schedule' is singular, it is replaced by 'that'. Adding 'that of' before the second noun ('a casual jogger') correctly compares one schedule to another schedule.
This establishes a grammatically correct and logical comparison required by standard written English.

Key Concept

Logical and Parallel Comparisons
Question 164Question →

The following passage is about Granville Woods, a nineteenth-century inventor.

Granville Woods, a prolific inventor, dedicated his life to improving the safety of railway travel. His most famous creation, the induction telegraph, allowed moving trains to communicate with stations. Although this invention drastically reduced the frequency of collisions, but it also paved the way for modern transit systems.

Which of the following options best corrects the underlined portion in the passage?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Although this invention drastically reduced the frequency of collisions, it also

Answer

The option that removes the coordinating conjunction 'but' and maintains the subordinating conjunction 'Although' with a separating comma is the correct choice.
The correct answer properly establishes subordination by beginning with the subordinating conjunction 'Although' to form a dependent clause, which is separated by a comma from the main independent clause. This maintains the logical contrast between the two points without any grammatical errors.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the relationship between the clauses and identify the grammatical error in the underlined portion.
The underlined portion attempts to contrast the reduction of train collisions with the paving of modern transit systems. However, it uses both 'Although' (subordinate) and 'but' (coordinate), which is a double-conjunction error that results in a fragment.
Identifying redundancy in sentence connectors is necessary to establish proper subordination.
2
Evaluate the choices to select the one that resolves the error while keeping a correct logical connection.
The correct option removes 'but', leaving a single subordinating conjunction ('Although') at the beginning of the sentence to form a dependent clause, which is separated from the main clause by a comma. The other options either maintain the fragment, use a semicolon incorrectly, or create a comma splice.
Ensuring one independent main clause and one dependent clause resolves the fragment error.

Key Concept

Subordination and Coordination
Question 165Question →

Although the Apollo 11 mission is most famous for landing the first humans on the Moon, it also conducted important scientific experiments; which provided invaluable data about the lunar environment.

Which choice best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: experiments, which

Answer

experiments, which
The correct choice uses a comma before the relative pronoun 'which' to properly attach the non-restrictive relative clause to the main clause of the sentence. This maintains correct grammatical subordination without introducing fragments or comma splices.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the grammatical structure of the sentence.
The clause 'Although the Apollo 11 mission is most famous for landing the first humans on the Moon' is a dependent introductory clause. The clause 'it also conducted important scientific experiments' is the main independent clause. The final part, 'provided invaluable data about the lunar environment', describes the experiments and is introduced by a relative pronoun.
Understanding clause boundaries helps determine the correct punctuation and conjunctions needed.
2
Evaluate the punctuation and coordination/subordination between the independent clause and the relative clause.
A relative clause beginning with 'which' is dependent and should be connected to the main clause with a comma, not separated by a semicolon or period. Separating it with a semicolon or period creates a fragment, while replacing it with 'they' without a coordinating conjunction creates a comma splice.
Identifying the correct punctuation avoids fragments and comma splices.

Key Concept

Subordination and Coordination
Question 166Question →

The following passage contains an underlined portion that may require revision.

Discovered in a shipwreck off the Greek island of Antikythera at the turn of the twentieth century, the Antikythera mechanism has long fascinated archaeologists and historians alike. Although initially appearing to be nothing more than a corroded lump of bronze and wood. Subsequent X-ray imaging revealed a complex system of gearwheels capable of tracking astronomical cycles.

Which of the following choices, if used to replace the underlined portion, results in a grammatically correct sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: While it initially appeared to be nothing more than a corroded lump of bronze and wood, subsequent

Answer

The option that starts with 'While' and connects the clauses with a comma is correct.
The correct choice resolves the sentence fragment by turning the initial dependent clause into a subordinate clause starting with 'While' and joining it to the subsequent independent clause with a comma, creating a complete and grammatically sound sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the underlined portion to identify the grammatical issue.
The clause 'Although initially appearing to be nothing more than a corroded lump of bronze and wood' begins with a subordinating conjunction ('Although') but lacks a finite verb and a main clause, making it a sentence fragment.
Before looking at the options, the structural issue of the original passage must be identified.
2
Evaluate the choices to find a version that resolves the fragment without introducing new grammatical errors.
The option using a semicolon creates a punctuation error by separating a dependent clause. The option using 'It initially appeared...' creates a comma splice because it joins two independent clauses with only a comma. The option starting with 'While' and using a comma correctly subordinating the first clause to the main clause.
Each choice must be checked against standard rules of sentence structure, punctuation, and clause joining.

Key Concept

Sentence Fragments
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 167Question →

Classicist Alice Kober spent years cataloging grammatical inflections on Linear B clay tablets, [1] although her grid system established the foundation for the script's decipherment, but she died before the final translation was complete.

Which of the following choices best replaces the underlined portion to ensure the sentence is grammatically correct and logically structured?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: and while her grid system established the foundation for the script's decipherment, she died before the final translation was complete.

Answer

The correct option is the one starting with 'and while', which uses the coordinating conjunction 'and' to link the initial independent clause to a complex clause where the concession is properly subordinated using 'while' and followed by a comma before the main clause.
The correct option is the phrasing starting with 'and while'. It correctly uses the coordinating conjunction 'and' (paired with the comma after 'tablets') to connect the first independent clause to the rest of the sentence. The rest of the sentence is a complex clause containing a dependent clause introduced by the subordinating conjunction 'while' ('while her grid system established the foundation for the script's decipherment') and a main independent clause ('she died before the final translation was complete'), separated properly by a comma.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the structure of the surrounding sentence and identify the independent clauses.
The clause before the underlined portion, 'Classicist Alice Kober spent years cataloging grammatical inflections on Linear B clay tablets,' is a complete independent clause.
Understanding the grammatical status of the surrounding clauses determines how the underlined portion must connect to them.
2
Evaluate the original underlined text for coordination and subordination errors.
The original text uses both 'although' (subordinating) and 'but' (coordinating) to connect the clauses, which is an incorrect double-conjunction structure.
Identifying the error in the original text rules out the 'NO CHANGE' option.
3
Examine the grammatical structure of the alternative choices to identify run-ons, comma splices, or fragment errors.
The option beginning with 'her grid system' creates a comma splice with the first independent clause. The option using a semicolon after 'decipherment' incorrectly separates a dependent clause from an independent clause.
Eliminating grammatically incorrect choices narrows down the options to the single correct structure.
4
Verify that the correct option creates a grammatically sound compound-complex sentence with logical transitions.
The option starting with 'and while' uses the coordinating conjunction 'and' (with a preceding comma) to connect the first independent clause to the subsequent complex clause, which has a properly subordinated dependent clause ('while...') and a main clause ('she died...').
Confirming both grammatical and logical consistency ensures the final choice is correct.

Key Concept

Avoiding double-conjunction errors and comma splices by properly balancing coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, and punctuation between independent and dependent clauses.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Question 168Question →

In 1977, oceanographers exploring the Galápagos Rift made a startling discovery: deep-sea hydrothermal vents teeming with previously unknown life forms. These organisms did not rely on sunlight for energy, they instead thrived on chemical reactions driven by geothermal heat.

Which of the following options best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: energy; instead, they thrived

Answer

energy; instead, they thrived
The correct option correctly uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses, followed by the conjunctive adverb 'instead' to show the contrast/alternative relationship between the two ideas.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the original sentence structure to identify the clauses.
The sentence contains two independent clauses: 'These organisms did not rely on sunlight for energy' and 'they instead thrived on chemical reactions driven by geothermal heat.'
Identifying clause types is necessary to determine the appropriate punctuation and conjunctions needed to connect them.
2
Evaluate the punctuation used in the original sentence.
The original sentence joins the two independent clauses with only a comma, which is a grammatical error known as a comma splice.
Independent clauses cannot be joined by a comma alone; they require a coordinating conjunction, a semicolon, or a period.
3
Compare the remaining options to find the correct method of coordination or subordination.
The option containing a semicolon followed by 'instead' and a complete independent clause ('energy; instead, they thrived') correctly links the two clauses. The other options either retain the comma splice, use a semicolon with a fragment, or introduce an ungrammatical participial phrase.
Choosing a grammatically correct coordination structure resolves the comma splice while maintaining the logical relationship between the clauses.

Key Concept

Subordination and Coordination
Question 169Question →

The community orchestra has scheduled their annual fundraising gala for next Saturday evening.

Which choice most effectively maintains grammatically correct pronoun-antecedent agreement in the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: its

Answer

its
The pronoun refers to the 'community orchestra', which is a singular collective noun acting as a single group. Therefore, it requires a singular possessive pronoun. The pronoun 'its' is singular and possessive, making it the correct choice.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the antecedent of the underlined pronoun in the sentence.
The antecedent is 'orchestra'.
The pronoun refers back to the entity that scheduled the fundraising gala, which is the community orchestra.
2
Determine the number (singular or plural) of the antecedent.
'Orchestra' is a singular collective noun representing a single unified group.
Since the orchestra is acting as a single unit performing a single action, it requires a singular pronoun.
3
Select the correct singular possessive pronoun from the choices.
The singular possessive pronoun is 'its'.
The correct choice must show possession ('annual fundraising gala') and be singular to agree with 'orchestra'.

Key Concept

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement with Collective Nouns
Question 170Question →

Complete the sentence below to maintain parallel structure by typing the correct form of the verb in parentheses.

Fill in the blanks below

To prepare for the marathon, Marcus planned on running five miles every morning, eating a balanced diet, and (sleep) for eight hours each night.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

sleeping
The correct answer is 'sleeping' because it matches the gerund form (-ing) of the other list elements: 'running' and 'eating'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the items in the list to determine the grammatical pattern.
The sentence lists three actions that Marcus planned on doing: 'running five miles every morning,' 'eating a balanced diet,' and a third action involving sleep.
Parallel structure requires that items in a list or series follow the same grammatical form.
2
Analyze the grammatical form of the first two list items.
The first two items, 'running' and 'eating', are gerunds (verb forms ending in -ing).
Establishing the pattern of the existing items dictates the required form for the remaining item.
3
Convert the verb in parentheses to match the established pattern.
The verb 'sleep' must be changed to its gerund form, 'sleeping', to maintain parallel structure with 'running' and 'eating'.
This completes the parallel sequence in a grammatically consistent manner.

Key Concept

Parallel Structure
Question 171Question →

The chief curator insisted that the museum's new exhibition must focus not only on highlighting the work of underrepresented regional artists but also it should display contemporary sculpture from international creators.

Which choice best maintains the parallel structure established in the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: not only on highlighting the work of underrepresented regional artists but also on displaying

Answer

not only on highlighting the work of underrepresented regional artists but also on displaying
The correct option maintains parallel structure by matching the prepositional gerund phrase 'on highlighting' with a corresponding prepositional gerund phrase 'on displaying' after the correlative conjunctions 'not only' and 'but also'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the correlative conjunction structure and the elements being joined.
The sentence uses 'not only... but also' to join two descriptions of what the exhibition will focus on.
Parallel structure requires that items connected by correlative conjunctions share the same grammatical form.
2
Determine the grammatical form of the first element.
The first element is the prepositional phrase 'on highlighting the work of underrepresented regional artists', where 'highlighting' is a gerund.
Knowing the form of the first element determines the required form for the second element to achieve parallelism.
3
Evaluate the second element in the options to find the matching grammatical form.
The phrase 'on displaying contemporary sculpture' uses the same prepositional gerund phrase structure ('on' followed by a gerund).
Matching 'on highlighting' with 'on displaying' establishes correct parallel structure.

Key Concept

Parallel Structure
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 172Question →

The chemical properties of synthetic diamonds are virtually identical to natural diamonds, making them nearly indistinguishable to the untrained eye.

Which choice makes the comparison logical and grammatically correct?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: those of natural diamonds, making them

Answer

The choice that reads 'those of natural diamonds, making them' makes the comparison logical and grammatically correct.
The correct choice is the option that replaces the underlined text with 'those of natural diamonds, making them'. The sentence compares the plural noun 'chemical properties' of synthetic diamonds to the properties of natural diamonds. The plural pronoun 'those' correctly refers to 'properties' to make the comparison logical. The participial phrase starting with 'making' is correctly joined to the main clause with a comma.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the two elements being compared in the sentence.
The sentence attempts to compare 'the chemical properties of synthetic diamonds' to 'natural diamonds'.
To form a logical comparison, properties must be compared to properties, not to physical objects.
2
Select the correct plural pronoun to represent 'properties'.
Since 'properties' is plural, the pronoun 'those' is used to refer back to it, yielding 'those of natural diamonds'.
This establishes a logical noun-to-noun comparison.
3
Assess the punctuation and structure of the remaining sentence.
Using a comma followed by the participial phrase 'making them...' correctly modifies the main clause.
Using 'they are' would create an ungrammatical comma splice, and adding 'and' before 'making' breaks parallel structure.

Key Concept

An illogical comparison occurs when a sentence compares two elements of different types. When comparing a feature of one thing to a feature of another, use 'that of' for singular nouns or 'those of' for plural nouns to maintain parallel and logical structure.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 173Question →

Hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor support unique ecosystems. Where specialized bacteria convert toxic chemicals into usable energy.

Which of the following options is the most grammatically correct revision of the underlined portion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: ecosystems, where specialized bacteria convert

Answer

ecosystems, where specialized bacteria convert
The correct option is the one that connects the dependent relative clause to the preceding main clause using a comma. Because the second clause begins with the relative adverb 'where', it is dependent and must be attached to the independent clause to resolve the sentence fragment.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the underlined portion to determine if the sentences are complete.
The clause 'Where specialized bacteria convert toxic chemicals into usable energy' starts with a relative adverb and lacks a main independent clause, making it a sentence fragment.
A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
2
Determine the correct punctuation to join the dependent clause to the main clause.
The dependent relative clause should be joined to the preceding independent clause with a comma.
A comma is used to attach non-essential relative clauses to the main clause, creating a grammatically complete complex sentence.
3
Evaluate the incorrect choices to rule out other errors.
Semicolons cannot be used because the second clause is dependent, and removing 'where' creates a comma splice by joining two independent clauses with only a comma.
Semicolons require independent clauses on both sides, and comma splices are grammatically incorrect.

Key Concept

Identifying and correcting sentence fragments by connecting dependent relative clauses to independent clauses.
Estimated Time:45s
Question 174Question →

Neither of the female wildlife biologists who tracked the wolf pack in Wyoming was willing to share their raw telemetry data with the state agency.

Which option is the most grammatically correct replacement for the underlined word?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: her

Answer

The correct option is 'her' because the singular indefinite pronoun 'Neither' acts as the singular antecedent, requiring the singular feminine possessive pronoun 'her' for grammatical agreement.
The correct option is 'her' because the antecedent is the singular indefinite pronoun 'Neither.' Although the intervening prepositional phrase contains the plural noun 'biologists,' the pronoun must agree with the singular subject 'Neither.' Since the sentence specifies that the biologists are female, the singular feminine possessive pronoun 'her' is the grammatically correct choice.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the antecedent of the possessive pronoun.
The antecedent is the indefinite pronoun 'Neither,' not the plural noun 'biologists' in the intervening prepositional phrase.
The head of the subject phrase determines the number of the pronoun.
2
Determine the grammatical number and gender of the antecedent.
'Neither' is grammatically singular. The prepositional phrase 'of the female wildlife biologists' indicates that the individuals are female.
This establishes that a singular feminine possessive pronoun is required.
3
Select the pronoun that matches these grammatical properties.
The singular feminine possessive pronoun is 'her.'
It correctly agrees with 'Neither' in both number and gender.

Key Concept

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement with Singular Indefinite Pronouns
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 175Question →

Neither the field technicians nor the lead conservationist who monitored the nesting habits of the endangered condors expected their data to be cited in the new environmental legislation.

Which option is the grammatically correct pronoun to replace the underlined word?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: his or her

Answer

The correct option is 'his or her' because it is a singular possessive pronoun that correctly agrees with the closer singular antecedent 'lead conservationist' in a compound subject joined by 'neither... nor...'.
The pronoun must agree with the closer antecedent in a compound subject joined by 'neither... nor...'. The closer antecedent is the singular noun 'lead conservationist'. Therefore, the pronoun must be singular. Since the pronoun must show possession over the noun 'data', the singular possessive pronoun 'his or her' is the correct choice.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the compound subject and its connectors.
The subject is 'Neither the field technicians nor the lead conservationist'. The connector is 'neither... nor...'.
This determines the agreement rule to apply.
2
Apply the proximity rule for 'neither... nor...' constructions.
The pronoun must agree in number with the closer antecedent, which is 'the lead conservationist' (singular).
In a compound subject joined by 'neither/nor', the pronoun agrees with the closer antecedent, ignoring the earlier plural noun 'field technicians' and the intervening relative clause.
3
Determine the gender and case of the pronoun.
The antecedent is a person ('conservationist'), and the pronoun modifies the noun 'data', requiring a possessive pronoun.
A singular possessive pronoun referring to a person is 'his or her'.

Key Concept

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement with Compound Antecedents and Intervening Clauses
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 176Question →

The translation strategies of seventeenth-century scholars were often constrained by limited access to historical source materials, but modern translators are characterized by a reliance on digital archives and collaborative databases.

Which choice best completes the sentence to ensure that the comparison is logical and the sentence is grammatically correct?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: but those of modern translators

Answer

The correct answer is the option that replaces the underlined portion with 'but those of modern translators'.
The correct answer resolves the illogical comparison by using the plural pronoun 'those' to refer to 'translation strategies', successfully comparing the strategies of early scholars to the strategies of modern translators. It also preserves the coordinating conjunction 'but' to connect the two independent clauses grammatically.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the compared terms in the original sentence.
The sentence compares the 'translation strategies of seventeenth-century scholars' to 'modern translators'.
To detect if there is an illogical comparison, we must ensure that the items being compared are of the same type.
2
Select a plural pronoun to represent the strategies of modern translators.
The pronoun 'those' is selected to refer back to the plural noun 'translation strategies'.
Comparing strategies to people is illogical. We must compare strategies to other strategies using a plural pronoun.
3
Analyze the sentence punctuation and conjunction needs.
A coordinating conjunction like 'but' must be retained before the second independent clause.
Removing the coordinating conjunction creates a comma splice since both sides of the comma are independent clauses.

Key Concept

Illogical and Incomplete Comparisons
Estimated Time:1m 15s
Question 177Question →

The board of trustees concluded that the ideal candidate for the museum directorship must possess not only a deep understanding of historical conservation techniques but also have a proven track record of successful fundraising.

Which choice best maintains the parallel structure of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: but also a proven track record

Answer

The correct option is the one that provides a matching noun phrase after the correlative conjunction 'but also' to pair with the noun phrase after 'not only'.
The correct option maintains parallel structure by ensuring that both elements joined by the correlative conjunction 'not only... but also' are grammatically parallel. In the sentence, 'not only' is followed by the noun phrase 'a deep understanding of historical conservation techniques'. Therefore, 'but also' must be followed by a matching noun phrase, 'a proven track record of successful fundraising', allowing both noun phrases to function as direct objects of the verb 'possess'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the correlative conjunction and the grammatical structure of the first element.
The correlative conjunction is 'not only... but also'. The first element following 'not only' is the noun phrase 'a deep understanding of historical conservation techniques'.
Parallel structure requires that elements joined by correlative conjunctions share the same grammatical form.
2
Analyze the underlined portion to determine if it matches this grammatical structure.
The underlined phrase 'but also have a proven track record' introduces a verb phrase starting with 'have', which is not parallel to the noun phrase following 'not only'.
Identifying the mismatch confirms that a correction is needed.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the one that uses a noun phrase following 'but also'.
The option containing 'but also a proven track record' provides a noun phrase, completing the parallel structure perfectly.
This alignment ensures the sentence is grammatically correct and balanced.

Key Concept

Parallel structure with correlative conjunctions requires consistent grammatical forms following each part of the conjunction.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 178Question →

In the mid-nineteenth century, the Daguerreotype process revolutionized visual culture by capturing highly detailed images on silver-plated copper sheets. Because the exposure times required several minutes of immobility, meaning that portrait subjects often had to use metal head braces to remain completely still.

Which choice best corrects the underlined portion of the passage?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Because the exposure times required several minutes of immobility,

Answer

The choice that provides the introductory dependent clause starting with 'Because' and ending with a comma, followed by the independent main clause.
The correct choice removes the word 'meaning that' and keeps the subordinating conjunction 'Because'. This successfully creates an introductory dependent clause followed by a comma and a complete independent clause ('portrait subjects often had to use...'), forming a grammatically complete complex sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the structure of the original sentence and determine why it is incorrect.
The original sentence contains a dependent clause starting with 'Because' and a modifying phrase starting with 'meaning that', but lacks any independent clause, making it a sentence fragment.
A grammatically complete sentence must contain at least one independent clause with a subject and a verb that can stand alone.
2
Evaluate the choices to find one that resolves the fragment without creating other errors.
Removing 'meaning that' and placing a comma after 'immobility' turns the second part of the sentence into the main independent clause, resolving the fragment.
The subordinating conjunction 'Because' makes the first clause dependent, which is then correctly joined to the main independent clause by a comma.
3
Verify that the other choices do not introduce new grammatical errors.
The choice starting with 'Since' followed by a semicolon incorrectly attempts to link a dependent clause and a participle phrase. The choice starting with 'The exposure times' creates a comma splice by joining two independent clauses with only a comma.
Semicolons must connect two independent clauses, and independent clauses cannot be joined solely by a comma.

Key Concept

Avoiding sentence fragments by ensuring every sentence contains at least one independent clause, and properly joining dependent and independent clauses.
Question 179Question →

The training requirements for a commercial pilot are much more rigorous than a recreational flyer, who only needs a few dozen hours of flight time.

Which of the following options most logically and grammatically completes the comparison in the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: those for a recreational flyer, who

Answer

The correct option is the one that reads 'those for a recreational flyer, who' because it uses the plural pronoun 'those' to create a logical comparison with 'requirements' and avoids punctuation errors.
The correct option replaces the underlined text with 'those for a recreational flyer, who'. The pronoun 'those' acts as a plural substitute for 'requirements', establishing a logical comparison between the requirements of a commercial pilot and the requirements of a recreational flyer. Additionally, retaining the relative pronoun 'who' correctly links the nonessential dependent clause.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the terms being compared in the sentence.
The sentence compares 'the training requirements' of a commercial pilot to 'a recreational flyer' (a person).
Comparing a conceptual requirement to a person is illogical. The sentence must compare requirements to requirements.
2
Choose the correct pronoun to represent the compared noun.
Since 'requirements' is plural, the plural pronoun 'those' must be used ('those for a recreational flyer') to stand in for the requirements.
This establishes a clear, parallel, and grammatically logical comparison.
3
Evaluate the punctuation and structure of the remaining clause.
The relative pronoun 'who' is necessary to introduce the dependent clause smoothly. Using 'they' creates an ungrammatical comma splice, and using a semicolon creates a fragment.
The sentence must follow standard coordinate and subordinate clause punctuation rules.

Key Concept

Illogical and Incomplete Comparisons
Estimated Time:45s
Question 180Question →

Each of the structural engineers who reviewed the blueprint expressed their concerns regarding the stability of the foundation.

Which of the following options is the best replacement for the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: his or her

Answer

his or her
The possessive pronoun 'his or her' is correct because it is singular, which properly agrees with the singular indefinite pronoun antecedent 'Each'. The intervening prepositional phrase 'of the structural engineers' does not change the fact that the subject of the clause is singular.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the antecedent of the pronoun in the sentence.
The antecedent is 'Each', which is a singular indefinite pronoun.
The pronoun must agree in number (singular or plural) with its antecedent.
2
Determine the role of the pronoun in the sentence to identify the correct case.
The pronoun modifies the noun 'concerns', indicating possession, so a possessive pronoun is required.
The correct form must be both singular and possessive.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the singular possessive pronoun.
The phrase 'his or her' is singular and possessive, which matches the antecedent 'Each'. The plural pronoun 'their' and its contraction homophone 'they're' are incorrect, while the subjective pronoun 'he or she' has the wrong grammatical case.
Only the singular possessive form maintains grammatical correctness under formal writing conventions.

Key Concept

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns
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