Examkin

Conventions of Usage

416 questions

All types416Multiple choice274True / False10Ordering7Fill in the blank125
Question 261Question →

The passage below discusses the acoustic properties of ancient Greek theatres. Read the passage and determine the correct present-tense form of the verb 'to allow' to complete the sentence. What is the correct form of the verb?

Fill in the blanks below

The acoustic clarity of ancient Greek theatres, which stems from the precise arrangement of limestone seats, actors' voices to carry all the way to the back rows without amplification.
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Answer

allows
The subject of the main clause is the singular noun 'clarity'. The intervening elements—the prepositional phrase 'of ancient Greek theatres' and the relative clause 'which stems from the precise arrangement of limestone seats'—do not affect the subject's number. Therefore, the singular verb 'allows' is required to maintain subject-verb agreement.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the subject of the sentence.
The grammatical subject of the main clause is 'clarity' (specifically 'The acoustic clarity').
The prepositional phrase 'of ancient Greek theatres' and the parenthetical relative clause 'which stems from the precise arrangement of limestone seats' are modifiers that separate the subject from the main verb and do not change the grammatical number of the subject.
2
Determine the grammatical number of the subject and select the corresponding verb form.
The noun 'clarity' is singular, so it requires the third-person singular present-tense verb 'allows'.
A singular subject must agree with a singular verb form (ending in '-s' in the present tense) to ensure correct subject-verb agreement.

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement
Question 262Question →

Read the passage about the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. Based on the historical context and surrounding verbs, what are the correct forms of the verbs in parentheses—'force' and 'leave'—that should fill in the blanks to maintain a consistent and grammatically correct tense throughout the paragraph?

Fill in the blanks below

Although the building of the Brooklyn Bridge began in 1869 under the direction of John A. Roebling, his sudden death that same year (force) his son, Washington Roebling, to take over as chief engineer. Washington, however, soon developed caisson disease, a painful condition that (leave) him bedridden for the remainder of the project. Despite his physical limitations, he continued to supervise the construction from his apartment window, using a telescope to monitor the workers' progress.
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Answer

forced; left
The correct verbs to fill the blanks are 'forced' and 'left'. The passage recounts historical events that began in 1869, establishing a narrative frame in the simple past tense. This is reinforced by the surrounding past-tense verbs 'began', 'developed', and 'continued'. Consequently, both verbs must be conjugated in the past tense ('forced' and 'left') to maintain chronological consistency and grammatical flow.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the temporal context of the passage to establish the base narrative tense.
The passage describes past historical events occurring in 1869 ('began', 'developed', 'continued'), indicating that the base tense of the narrative is the simple past.
Establishing the base tense is essential to determine whether any verb shifts are required or if the verbs should remain consistently in the past tense.
2
Determine the correct past tense form of the verb 'force' for the first blank.
The first blank describes an action that occurred in 1869 immediately following the death of John A. Roebling. The correct simple past tense form of 'force' is 'forced'.
Using the past tense maintains consistency with the introductory verb 'began' and historical context.
3
Determine the correct past tense form of the verb 'leave' for the second blank.
The second blank is part of a relative clause describing a past condition that arose when Washington Roebling 'developed' caisson disease. The correct past tense form of 'leave' is 'left'.
Maintaining the past tense is necessary because the condition and its consequences occurred entirely during the historical construction of the bridge.

Key Concept

Verb Tense and Consistency
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Question 263Question →

In the mid-twentieth century, cartographer Marie Tharp worked alongside geologist Bruce Heezen to map the Atlantic Ocean floor. Tharp carefully analyzed sounding data collected by Heezen and drafted detailed diagrams of the underwater landscape. When Tharp identified a massive rift valley running down the center of the mid-ocean ridge, this prompted a heated debate about the theory of continental drift. Heezen initially dismissed her findings as 'girl talk,' but later research proved her maps were remarkably accurate.

Which choice best replaces the underlined word to make the sentence clear and precise?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: this discovery

Answer

this discovery
The correct option replaces the vague pronoun with the noun phrase 'this discovery'. This directly resolves the vague reference issue by providing a clear, concrete noun that summarizes the action of the preceding clause. This makes the sentence precise and grammatically sound.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the underlined pronoun and analyze its role in the sentence.
The pronoun is 'this', acting as the subject of the clause describing the debate's initiation.
Understanding the function of the underlined word is necessary to assess its clarity and grammatical role.
2
Check the pronoun for a specific noun antecedent.
The pronoun 'this' refers vaguely to the entire action of Tharp identifying the valley, rather than a specific noun.
ACT grammar rules require pronouns to refer clearly to a specific singular or plural noun antecedent.
3
Evaluate the options to find a grammatically correct replacement that resolves the ambiguity.
Replacing 'this' with 'this discovery' introduces a specific noun that clarifies the reference, whereas 'which' creates a fragment and 'it' remains vague.
The correct answer must eliminate the vague reference error without introducing new grammatical issues.

Key Concept

Pronoun Clarity and Reference
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 264Question →

Despite the challenging weather conditions, the experienced climber proved she was capable to reach the summit of the mountain.

Which of the following choices best replaces the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: capable of reaching

Answer

capable of reaching
The adjective 'capable' idiomatically pairs with the preposition 'of' followed by a gerund ('reaching'). Therefore, the option 'capable of reaching' is correct.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the underlined portion of the sentence: 'capable to reach'.
The word 'capable' is an adjective that must pair with a specific idiomatic preposition.
Idiomatic preposition usage determines the correct preposition that must follow certain adjectives in standard English.
2
Determine the correct preposition that pairs with 'capable'.
The adjective 'capable' must be followed by the preposition 'of' (e.g., 'capable of').
This is a fixed idiomatic expression in standard English.
3
Identify the correct form of the verb that follows the preposition 'of'.
A preposition is followed by a gerund (verb ending in -ing), which is 'reaching'.
Prepositions cannot be followed by an infinitive verb (like 'to reach').

Key Concept

Idiomatic Prepositions
Estimated Time:45s
Question 265Question →

The culinary critic noted that the chef’s choice of a tart cranberry reduction perfectly compliments the rich, savory flavors of the roasted duck.

Which choice represents the correct word and form to use in the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: complements

Answer

The correct choice is 'complements' because it provides the correct word meaning ('complements' to go well with/complete) and matches the singular subject 'choice.'
The correct option is 'complements' because the sentence requires a verb that means to add to or make perfect, which is 'complement.' Furthermore, because the subject of the clause is the singular noun 'choice' (not the plural 'flavors' or 'reduction'), the verb must be in the singular form 'complements.'

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the grammatical and contextual role of the underlined word in the sentence.
The word serves as the main verb of the clause starting with 'that the chef's choice...'
This helps determine whether we need a singular or plural verb, and what part of speech is required.
2
Determine the subject of the verb and check for subject-verb agreement.
The subject is the singular noun 'choice' (not the plural 'flavors' or 'reduction'), meaning the correct verb must be singular.
This eliminates plural options like 'complement' and 'compliment.'
3
Differentiate between the meanings of the remaining homophones.
The verb 'complement' means to enhance or complete, whereas 'compliment' means to express admiration. The context of food pairings requires 'complements.'
This confirms that 'complements' is the correct spelling and word choice.

Key Concept

Frequently Confused Words (complement vs. compliment)
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 266Question →

Which forms of the modifiers in parentheses correctly complete the blanks in the passage below?

Fill in the blanks below

During his historic solo flight across the Atlantic, Charles Lindbergh had to fly (cautious) through thick fog, navigating almost entirely by instruments. Because the cockpit was designed with minimal forward visibility, he could not easily see the horizon, making the journey (extreme) dangerous.
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Answer

cautiously; extremely
The correct forms are the adverbs 'cautiously' and 'extremely'. In the first blank, 'cautiously' is required to modify the verb 'fly' to explain how Lindbergh flew. In the second blank, 'extremely' is required to modify the adjective 'dangerous' to show the intensity of the danger.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the grammatical function required for the first blank.
The word modifies the verb 'fly', which is an action verb describing Lindbergh's movement.
Since the word describes how the action of flying was performed, an adverb must be used instead of an adjective.
2
Determine the correct adverbial form of the parenthetical word 'cautious'.
The adverb form of 'cautious' is 'cautiously'.
Regular adverbs are formed by adding the suffix '-ly' to the base adjective.
3
Analyze the grammatical function required for the second blank.
The word modifies the adjective 'dangerous', which describes the noun 'journey'.
Since the modifier describes the degree of the adjective 'dangerous' rather than the noun 'journey' itself, an adverb is required.
4
Determine the correct adverbial form of the parenthetical word 'extreme'.
The adverb form of 'extreme' is 'extremely'.
Regular adverbs are formed by adding the suffix '-ly' to the base adjective.

Key Concept

Adjective and Adverb Usage
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 267Question →

In the context of evolutionary biology, researchers have noted that the plumage of a male peacock is far more vibrant than a female peahen, serving as a primary signal of genetic fitness during courtship rituals.

Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion would be best?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: far more vibrant than that of a female peahen

Answer

far more vibrant than that of a female peahen
The correct option correctly uses 'than' for the comparison and includes 'that of' to ensure the peacock's plumage is compared to the peahen's plumage, rather than the peahen itself. It also avoids any unnecessary punctuation.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the elements being compared in the sentence.
The sentence attempts to compare the 'plumage of a male peacock' with a 'female peahen'.
This is an illogical comparison because a specific feature (plumage) cannot be logically compared to a whole animal (peahen).
2
Correct the comparison using a demonstrative pronoun to refer back to the singular noun 'plumage'.
Add 'that of' before 'a female peahen' to represent 'the plumage of a female peahen'.
This ensures the comparison is grammatically parallel and logical.
3
Select the correct comparative conjunction.
Ensure 'than' is used for the comparison instead of the temporal homophone 'then'.
'Than' is the correct conjunction for comparisons, whereas 'then' indicates time or consequence.
4
Ensure punctuation is correct around the comparison.
No comma should separate the comparative adjective 'vibrant' and the conjunction 'than'.
Adding a comma would unnecessarily interrupt the flow of the restrictive comparative clause.

Key Concept

Logical comparison parallel structure and proper homophone usage in comparatives.
Question 268Question →

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the modifiers in parentheses (use 'uneven' for the first blank and 'dull' for the second blank) to ensure proper grammatical usage in the passage.

Fill in the blanks below

The conservationists noticed that the protective sealant adhered to the weathered limestone, which unfortunately made the restored facade look under the gallery's bright lights.
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Answer

unevenly, dull
The correct answers are 'unevenly' and 'dull'. In the first blank, the adverb 'unevenly' is required to modify the action verb 'adhered'. In the second blank, the adjective 'dull' is required because 'look' acts as a linking verb describing the noun 'facade'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the grammatical function of the modifier in the first blank.
The first blank modifies the action verb 'adhered', indicating the manner in which the sealant attached to the limestone.
Action verbs must be modified by adverbs. Therefore, the base adjective 'uneven' must be converted into the adverb 'unevenly'.
2
Analyze the grammatical function of the modifier in the second blank.
The second blank follows the linking verb 'look' and describes the subject 'the restored facade'.
Linking verbs connect the subject to a subject complement (an adjective), not an adverb. Therefore, the base word 'dull' remains in its adjective form 'dull'.

Key Concept

Adjective and Adverb Usage
Question 269Question →

Although lacking a brain or nervous system, the slime mold *Physarum polycephalum* exhibits a form of primitive intelligence. When placed in a maze with oatmeal at two opposite ends, the single-celled organism spreads out to explore all possible paths. Within hours, it retracts its dead-end branches and concentrated its mass along the shortest route between the food sources. This behavior demonstrates that even simple organisms can process spatial information and optimize resource transport.

Which choice best maintains a consistent and logical verb tense throughout the passage?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: concentrates

Answer

The correct answer is concentrates, which is the singular present tense form of the verb.
The verb 'concentrates' correctly maintains the present tense established by the parallel verb 'retracts' in the compound predicate, as well as the other verbs throughout the passage ('exhibits', 'spreads', 'demonstrates') describing the general behavior of the organism.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the subject of the underlined verb and examine the sentence structure.
The subject of the underlined verb is the singular pronoun 'it'. The sentence contains a compound predicate joined by 'and', where 'it' performs two actions: 'retracts its dead-end branches' and the underlined action.
Understanding the subject and sentence structure helps identify the grammatical expectations for the verb, including subject-verb agreement and parallel construction.
2
Analyze the tense of the first verb in the compound predicate and the surrounding verbs in the passage.
The first verb in the compound predicate is 'retracts', which is in the present tense. Other verbs in the passage ('exhibits', 'spreads', 'demonstrates') are also in the present tense, establishing a scientific present-tense context.
To maintain verb tense consistency, verbs that share a subject in a compound predicate or occur within the same narrative context must stay in the same tense unless there is a logical reason to shift.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the form of the verb that is singular, present tense, and maintains parallel structure.
The singular present tense form 'concentrates' maintains parallel structure with 'retracts' and agrees with the singular subject 'it'.
This choice resolves the inconsistent past-tense shift in the original sentence without introducing agreement or structural errors.

Key Concept

Verb Tense and Consistency
Question 270Question →

A student is writing an essay about an astronomy club's observation night and has draft-edited the following sentence:

"When calibrating the new telescope, the club president reminded the members and I that if one wishes to capture clear images, you must maintain it's alignment."

Which choice best completes the sentence while maintaining proper pronoun case and person agreement?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: me that if one wishes to capture clear images, one must maintain its

Answer

The correct option uses the objective pronoun 'me' to complete the compound object of the verb 'reminded', maintains person consistency by keeping the third-person pronoun 'one' throughout the conditional clause, and uses the possessive pronoun 'its' to modify the noun 'alignment'.
The correct choice must address three separate grammar rules. First, it must use the objective case pronoun 'me' because it is part of the compound object of the transitive verb 'reminded'. Second, it must maintain a consistent third-person perspective by using the pronoun 'one' to match 'one wishes'. Third, it must use the possessive pronoun 'its' to modify 'alignment' rather than the contraction 'it's' (meaning 'it is'). Only the correct option resolves all three issues.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the correct pronoun case for the compound object of the verb 'reminded'.
The pronoun should be in the objective case ('me') rather than the subjective case ('I').
Because the pronoun acts as a direct object of the verb 'reminded', removing the other parts of the compound object ('reminded me') clarifies that the objective case is required.
2
Check the pronoun person consistency within the conditional clause.
The clause starts with the third-person pronoun 'one' ('if one wishes'), so the second half must also use 'one' ('one must') instead of shifting to 'you'.
Maintaining person consistency prevents confusing shifts in point of view.
3
Verify the correct homophone for the possessive modifier of 'alignment'.
Use the possessive pronoun 'its' rather than the contraction 'it's'.
The contraction 'it's' stands for 'it is', which does not make sense in the context of owning the alignment; the possessive form 'its' is required.

Key Concept

Pronoun Case, Person Consistency, and Homophone Distinction
Question 271Question →

The James Webb Space Telescope features a light-gathering capacity that is far greater than the Hubble Space Telescope, allowing astronomers to peer deeper into the history of the universe than ever before.

Which of the following choices best replaces the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: far greater than that of the Hubble Space Telescope

Answer

The correct option is the phrase that states 'far greater than that of the Hubble Space Telescope'.
The correct option is correct because it uses the comparative adjective 'greater' to compare the capacities of two telescopes, uses the correct comparative conjunction 'than', and uses the pronoun phrase 'that of' to logically compare capacity to capacity.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the two elements being compared in the sentence.
The sentence attempts to compare the 'light-gathering capacity' of the James Webb Space Telescope to the Hubble Space Telescope.
To ensure grammatical logic, a quality or possession (capacity) must be compared to another quality or possession, not to a physical object (the telescope itself).
2
Evaluate the correct pronoun to complete the comparison logically.
Adding 'that of' before 'the Hubble Space Telescope' refers back to 'the light-gathering capacity', making the comparison logical.
Comparing 'capacity' to 'that of the Hubble Space Telescope' (meaning 'the capacity of the Hubble Space Telescope') resolves the illogical comparison.
3
Check the spelling of the comparative word and punctuation.
Use the comparative conjunction 'than' (not the temporal 'then') and do not place a comma between the comparative modifier 'greater' and the comparative phrase.
Comparisons require 'than' to connect the two items, and punctuation rules forbid separating a comparative adjective from its 'than' phrase with a comma.

Key Concept

Logical comparisons (comparatives and superlatives)
Question 272Question →

Read the passage below. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs in parentheses—'begin' for the first blank and 'be' for the second blank—to maintain consistent and grammatically correct verb tenses throughout the narrative.

Fill in the blanks below

In December 1938, Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer, a South African museum curator, received a call from a fisherman who had caught an unusual fish. When she arrived at the docks, she immediately noticed the specimen's unique, limb-like fins. Although she was not an ichthyologist, she recognized that the creature was unlike any modern species she had ever seen. She took the fish back to the museum and began searching through reference books, hoping to identify the specimen before it (begin) to decay. Her diligence eventually led to the identification of the coelacanth, a prehistoric fish that scientists believed (be) extinct for sixty-six million years.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The first blank must be filled with 'began' and the second blank must be filled with 'had been'.
The narrative is written in the past tense. The first blank requires the simple past 'began' to show a sequential action in the past. The second blank requires the past perfect 'had been' to express a state that occurred prior to the past belief ('believed') of the scientists.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the overall timeline and tense of the passage.
The narrative details historical events in the past ('received', 'arrived', 'noticed', 'took'), establishing past tense as the base narrative timeline.
Determining the base tense helps prevent illogical tense shifts.
2
Select the correct form of the verb 'begin' for the first blank.
The action of decaying occurred within the past timeline of the narrative, so the simple past form 'began' is correct.
Simple past preserves the chronological sequence of the narrative's events.
3
Select the correct form of the verb 'be' for the second blank.
The extinction of the coelacanth occurred before the past action of scientists believing it, and is marked by a duration ('for sixty-six million years'), requiring the past perfect form 'had been'.
The past perfect tense is necessary to indicate that the state of extinction preceded the past belief.

Key Concept

Verb Tense and Consistency
Question 273Question →

The school principle, Ms. Lopez, welcomed the new students during the morning assembly.

Which of the following choices is the correct word to use in the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: principal

Answer

principal
The correct answer is 'principal'. In this sentence, the context refers to a person who is the head of a school. The noun 'principal' refers to a school administrator, which is the correct spelling and meaning for this context.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence's context.
The sentence refers to Ms. Lopez, who is the leading administrator of a school.
Understanding the context helps determine whether the sentence requires a word meaning 'a head of a school' or 'a fundamental rule'.
2
Compare the definitions of the homophones 'principal' and 'principle'.
'Principal' refers to a person of leading importance or a school head. 'Principle' refers to a fundamental truth, rule, or belief.
Choosing between these homophones requires selecting the spelling that matches the intended meaning.
3
Select the option that correctly provides the singular noun 'principal'.
The correct choice is 'principal'.
This spelling correctly identifies the school administrator in the singular form.

Key Concept

Frequently Confused Words (principal vs. principle)
Question 274Question →

The design of the new city library is similar with the classical architecture of the historic town hall.

Which choice best replaces the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: similar to

Answer

The correct choice is 'similar to' because the adjective 'similar' idiomatically requires the preposition 'to' to establish a comparison between two nouns.
The correct choice uses the preposition 'to' because 'similar to' is the established idiomatic expression used to describe a resemblance between two entities.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the underlined prepositional relationship in the sentence context.
The sentence compares the design of a library to the architecture of a town hall using the adjective 'similar' and the preposition 'with'.
This allows you to determine whether the adjective-preposition pair conforms to standard English conventions.
2
Determine the correct idiomatic preposition that pairs with 'similar'.
In standard written English, the adjective 'similar' always pairs with the preposition 'to' to indicate resemblance.
Prepositions must follow established idiomatic conventions rather than literal translation or colloquial patterns.
3
Evaluate the choices to locate the correct phrasing.
The choice containing 'similar to' is the only option that uses the correct preposition. The options containing 'similar with', 'similar than', and 'similar as' are unidiomatic.
Replacing the incorrect preposition 'with' with 'to' corrects the grammatical error.

Key Concept

Idiomatic prepositions are fixed combinations of words (verbs, adjectives, or nouns paired with specific prepositions) that must be used together to be grammatically correct. The adjective 'similar' must always be paired with the preposition 'to'.
Question 275Question →

In 1935, architect Frank Lloyd Wright began designing Fallingwater, a house built directly over a waterfall in rural Pennsylvania. While Wright wanted the waterfall to be a central part of the residents' daily lives, the owner, Edgar Kaufmann, initially expected the house to face the cascades. This led to a series of intense discussions about the integration of nature and architecture.

Which option best maintains pronoun clarity and reference in the underlined portion of the passage?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: This disagreement

Answer

The option stating 'This disagreement' is correct because it replaces the vague pronoun with a specific noun phrase that clearly identifies the subject of the sentence.
The choice 'This disagreement' is correct because it replaces the vague pronoun 'This' with a specific noun phrase, clarifying exactly what led to the discussions and establishing a clear subject for the sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the underlined pronoun and check for a clear, specific noun antecedent in the preceding sentence.
The pronoun 'This' refers vaguely to the entire situation (Wright wanting the waterfall to be central and Kaufmann wanting the house to face it) rather than a specific noun.
ACT grammar rules require pronouns to have clear, unambiguous noun antecedents.
2
Evaluate the choices to find an option that provides a clear noun or noun phrase to resolve the vague reference.
The phrase 'This disagreement' clearly and precisely identifies the situation, resolving the ambiguity.
Adding a specific noun after 'this' clarifies the subject and corrects the vague pronoun reference error.

Key Concept

Pronoun Clarity and Reference
Question 276Question →

Fill in the blanks in the sentence below with the correct words from the frequently confused pair 'principal' and 'principle' to ensure the sentence is grammatically correct and contextually appropriate.

Fill in the blanks below

As the investigator of the deep-sea research expedition, Dr. Vance adhered to the strict of ecological preservation, refusing to disturb the delicate hydrothermal vent systems.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The first blank should be filled with 'principal' (meaning chief or primary), and the second blank should be filled with 'principle' (meaning a fundamental rule or tenet).
In the given context, 'principal' functions as an adjective meaning 'most important, consequential, or influential' (modifying 'investigator'). Meanwhile, 'principle' functions as a noun meaning 'a basic truth, law, or assumption' (referring to the rule of ecological preservation).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the first blank: 'As the {{blank_1}} investigator...'
The word modifies 'investigator' and must mean 'first in rank, chief, or primary'. The correct word for this meaning is 'principal'.
Identify the syntactic role and meaning needed for the first modifier.
2
Analyze the context of the second blank: 'adhered to the strict {{blank_2}} of ecological preservation...'
The word functions as a noun meaning 'a fundamental truth, law, or rule of conduct'. The correct word for this meaning is 'principle'.
Identify the syntactic role and meaning needed for the noun following the adjective 'strict'.

Key Concept

Frequently Confused Words: Principal vs. Principle
Question 277Question →

Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

Deep-sea sediment cores retrieved from the Arctic Ocean contain microscopic fossils of marine organisms known as foraminifera. The chemical composition of these fossils, which accumulated on the ocean floor over millions of years, help scientists reconstruct past global temperatures. By analyzing the oxygen isotopes within the shells, researchers can determine the extent of prehistoric ice sheets.

Which of the following is the best revision of the underlined portion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: helps

Answer

The singular present-tense verb 'helps' is correct because it agrees with the singular subject 'composition'.
The singular present-tense verb 'helps' is correct because it matches the singular subject 'composition'. The plural nouns 'fossils' and 'years' are parts of modifying prepositional and relative clauses and do not affect the grammatical number of the subject.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the subject of the clause containing the underlined verb.
The subject is 'composition', which is a singular noun.
The verb must agree in number (singular vs. plural) with its true grammatical subject, not with the nouns inside intervening phrases.
2
Identify and ignore intervening phrases and clauses that separate the subject from the verb.
The prepositional phrase 'of these fossils' and the relative clause 'which accumulated on the ocean floor over millions of years' both contain plural nouns ('fossils', 'years'), but they do not change the singular nature of the subject 'composition'.
Intervening modifier phrases do not affect subject-verb agreement.
3
Determine the correct verb form and tense based on the subject and the surrounding context.
A singular, present-tense verb ('helps') is required to agree with 'composition' and match the present-tense timeline established by 'contain' and 'can' in the surrounding sentences.
Using a plural verb or shifting to the past tense would violate rules of agreement and tense consistency.

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement with Intervening Phrases
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 278Question →

Before beginning the subterranean mapping project, the lead seismologist reminded the field technicians and they that its essential to calibrate the sensors before the simulation begins.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: them that it's essential to calibrate the sensors

Answer

The correct answer is the option that uses the objective pronoun 'them' and the contraction 'it's'.
The correct choice uses the objective pronoun 'them' because it serves as the object of the verb 'reminded'. It also uses the contraction 'it's' (meaning 'it is') to properly introduce the adjective 'essential'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the correct case for the pronoun in the compound object.
The pronoun follows the verb 'reminded' and is part of a compound direct object ('reminded the field technicians and...'). Therefore, it must be in the objective case ('them' rather than 'they').
Objects of verbs must always be in the objective case.
2
Determine the correct word choice between 'its' and 'it's'.
The sentence requires the contraction 'it is' ('it's') because it is followed by the adjective 'essential'. Using 'its' would be incorrect because 'its' is a possessive pronoun.
Contractions and possessive pronouns are homophones but have distinct grammatical functions.

Key Concept

Pronoun Case and Person
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 279Question →

The following sentence compares the temperatures of two planets. Which word correctly completes the comparison?

Fill in the blanks below

Astronomers have observed that Venus is much hotter Mercury, even though Mercury is closer to the Sun.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

than
The sentence compares the temperature of Venus to Mercury. The conjunction 'than' is used to introduce the second part of a comparison.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine if the sentence requires a word indicating comparison or time/sequence.
The sentence compares the temperature of Venus to that of Mercury ('much hotter').
Identifying the comparative context helps distinguish between the frequently confused words 'than' and 'then'.
2
Apply the correct word choice rules.
Select 'than', which is the conjunction used to introduce the second element in a comparison.
'Than' is grammatically correct for comparisons, whereas 'then' is used to denote time or sequence.

Key Concept

Frequently Confused Words: Than vs. Then
Estimated Time:45s
Question 280Question →

Complete the sentence by filling in the blanks. Use the comparative form of the adjective 'extensive' to show a greater degree in the first blank, and the appropriate singular pronoun in the second blank to maintain a logical comparison.

Fill in the blanks below

Although the local museum boasts a diverse array of artifacts, its collection of ancient Roman coins is than of the national treasury.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

Although the local museum boasts a diverse array of artifacts, its collection of ancient Roman coins is more extensive than that of the national treasury.
The correct completion uses 'more extensive' to properly compare the two collections using the comparative degree of a multi-syllable adjective, and 'that' as a singular pronoun pointing back to 'collection' to make the comparison logical.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the two entities being compared.
The local museum's 'collection' is being compared to the 'national treasury'.
To ensure grammatical agreement and logical parity, we must verify what is being compared.
2
Formulate the correct comparative form of the adjective.
Since we are comparing exactly two collections, the comparative form 'more extensive' is required rather than the superlative 'most extensive'.
Comparative forms are used when comparing two entities, whereas superlatives are reserved for three or more.
3
Correct the illogical comparison structure.
Comparing a 'collection' directly to a 'treasury' (an institution) is illogical. Inserting the singular pronoun 'that' creates the parallel structure 'collection ... than that [collection] of the national treasury'.
Comparisons must compare like things (collection to collection, not collection to institution).

Key Concept

Logical comparison and comparative adjective forms. Comparisons must compare comparable things, and the comparative form must be used when exactly two things are being compared.
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