Examkin

Conventions of Usage

416 questions

All types416Multiple choice274True / False10Ordering7Fill in the blank125
Question 321Question →

The following sentence compares the physical characteristics of two whale species. Complete the sentence by determining the correct comparative form of the adjective 'large' and the correct comparative conjunction. Which words correctly fill the blanks?

Fill in the blanks below

Although both the blue whale and the fin whale are massive marine mammals, the blue whale is the of the two species, measuring several feet longer its close relative.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct words to fill the blanks are 'larger' for the first blank and 'than' for the second blank.
The comparative form 'larger' is correct because the sentence compares exactly two species: the blue whale and the fin whale. The comparative conjunction 'than' is correct because it is used to introduce the second element of a comparison.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the number of items being compared to choose the correct adjective form.
Two items are compared: the blue whale and the fin whale.
When comparing exactly two items, the comparative form ending in '-er' (or preceded by 'more') must be used instead of the superlative form. Thus, the adjective 'large' becomes 'larger'.
2
Select the correct word to introduce the second element of the comparison.
The comparative conjunction 'than' must be used.
The word 'than' is used to connect the two elements of a comparison, whereas 'then' is an adverb indicating time or sequence.

Key Concept

Using comparative adjective forms when comparing exactly two items, and utilizing the conjunction 'than' to link the comparison.
Question 322Question →

To ensure proper usage of the frequently confused words 'discreet' and 'discrete', which word belongs in each blank of the sentence below?

Fill in the blanks below

Although the researcher attempted to be about her findings until they were peer-reviewed, the data consisted of data points that could easily be cross-referenced by other teams.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The first blank requires 'discreet' (meaning cautious or confidential) and the second blank requires 'discrete' (meaning separate or distinct).
The correct response uses 'discreet' for the first blank and 'discrete' for the second blank. 'Discreet' is an adjective that describes being cautious, guarded, or keeping secrets, which fits a researcher waiting for peer review. 'Discrete' is an adjective that means separate, distinct, or individual, which describes the separate data points.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the first blank to determine the intended meaning of the target word.
The sentence describes a researcher trying to keep her findings private or confidential until they are peer-reviewed. This context requires a word meaning cautious, circumspect, or unobtrusive, which is 'discreet'.
Understanding the semantic context allows you to select the correct homophone.
2
Analyze the context of the second blank to determine the intended meaning of the target word.
The sentence refers to individual, separate, or distinct values (points) of data. This context requires a word meaning separate or distinct, which is 'discrete'.
Identifying the mathematical or scientific meaning of separate parts confirms the use of 'discrete'.

Key Concept

Frequently Confused Words: discreet vs. discrete
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 323Question →

The sentence below contains a blank. Which form of the verb 'to reveal' correctly completes the sentence while maintaining proper subject-verb agreement in the present tense? Write the correct verb form in the blank.

Fill in the blanks below

A detailed analysis of the geological core samples, including layers of volcanic ash and ancient sediment, a history of seismic activity in the region.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

reveals
The correct verb form is 'reveals' because the subject of the sentence is the singular noun 'analysis'. The long phrase separating the subject from the verb contains plural nouns like 'samples' and 'layers', but these do not affect the grammatical number of the subject. A singular subject requires a singular verb, which in the present tense ends in -s.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the true grammatical subject of the sentence.
The subject is the singular noun 'analysis'.
The prepositional phrase 'of the geological core samples' and the participial phrase 'including layers of volcanic ash and ancient sediment' are intervening modifiers that describe the subject but do not change its singular number.
2
Determine the correct present-tense form of the verb 'to reveal' that agrees with a singular subject.
The correct form is 'reveals'.
A singular third-person subject ('analysis') requires the singular verb form ending in -s in the present tense.

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement with Intervening Phrases
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 324Question →

The city council voted to censor the representative for her ethical violations, drawing attention to the strict standards expected of public officials.

Which of the following is the correct choice for the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: censure

Answer

The correct option is 'censure' because it expresses the intended meaning of formally reprimanding or expressing severe disapproval of the representative's ethical violations.
The correct option is 'censure.' In the context of a city council punishing ethical violations, the sentence requires a verb meaning to formally reprimand or express severe disapproval. The verb 'censure' fits this definition perfectly.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the sentence to determine the required meaning of the underlined word.
The sentence describes an action taken by a city council against a representative for ethical violations. The intended meaning is to formally reprimand or express strong disapproval.
Understanding the context helps distinguish between similar-sounding words that have distinct definitions.
2
Evaluate the meanings of the confused word options.
'Censor' means to remove objectionable content. 'Censure' means to formally reprimand or condemn. 'Sensor' is a detection device. 'Sensory' relates to physical senses.
Comparing definitions ensures the chosen word is semantically appropriate for the sentence.
3
Select the option that matches the required meaning and maintains correct grammatical structure.
The word 'censure' fits both the grammatical role (transitive verb) and semantic meaning perfectly.
This confirms the correct choice under standard usage conventions.

Key Concept

Frequently Confused Words (censor vs. censure)
Question 325Question →

Located deep inside a sandstone mountain on a remote Arctic island, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault's primary mission is to preserve millions of crop samples. This facility serves as a global safety net against the loss of biodiversity during large-scale crises. By housing duplicates of seeds from around the world, scientists hope to safeguard the future of the global food supply.

Which of the following choices is the most grammatically correct replacement for the underlined portion of the passage?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: the vault preserves millions of crop samples as its primary mission

Answer

the vault preserves millions of crop samples as its primary mission
The correct option resolves the dangling modifier by placing the noun being modified immediately after the introductory phrase. It also maintains proper subject-verb agreement and clause connection.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory modifier and its logical target.
The modifying phrase 'Located deep inside a sandstone mountain on a remote Arctic island' describes a physical structure (the vault), not an abstract concept (the mission).
Introductory modifiers must clearly and logically modify the subject that immediately follows them.
2
Evaluate the grammatical structure of the choices that correct the modifier.
The choices starting with 'the vault' correctly place the noun modified by the introductory phrase. However, some of these choices introduce new errors.
Correcting one grammatical error must not introduce another, such as punctuation or agreement issues.
3
Check for punctuation and agreement errors among the remaining options.
The option containing a comma splice and the option with the plural verb are eliminated.
Independent clauses cannot be joined solely by a comma, and singular subjects must agree with singular verbs.

Key Concept

Introductory Modifier Placement
Question 326Question →

Many literary historians argue that the detailed records kept by the early Sumerian scribes were more comprehensive then other civilizations of the same era.

Which choice best completes the sentence by maintaining logical comparison and correct grammatical usage?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: more comprehensive than those of other civilizations

Answer

more comprehensive than those of other civilizations
The correct option correctly uses 'than' to establish a comparison and includes the pronoun 'those' to make the comparison logical, comparing 'records' to 'those (records) of other civilizations'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the elements being compared in the sentence.
The sentence compares the 'detailed records' (plural noun) kept by Sumerian scribes with other civilizations of the same era.
To ensure logical comparison, a sentence must compare similar things. Comparing physical 'records' to entire 'civilizations' is illogical.
2
Select the correct comparative structure to resolve the illogical comparison.
Use the plural pronoun 'those' to represent 'records', changing the compared element to 'those of other civilizations'.
This compares Sumerian records to the records of other civilizations, establishing a logical comparison.
3
Choose the correct comparative conjunction.
Use 'than' instead of 'then' to show comparison.
'Than' is used for comparisons, whereas 'then' refers to time.

Key Concept

Logical comparisons require comparing comparable things, and comparative structures must use 'than' rather than the homophone 'then'.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 327Question →

Having spent decades documenting the volatile fluctuations of geothermal geysers in Iceland, the volcanologist was completely inured from the sudden, deafening blasts that frequently startled tourists.

Which choice best replaces the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: inured to

Answer

The correct choice is 'inured to', which correctly uses the idiomatic preposition 'to' with 'inured'.
The adjective 'inured' means accustomed to accepting something undesirable. In standard English, it must be paired with the preposition 'to' (e.g., 'inured to the cold'). Therefore, the option containing 'inured to' is correct.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the underlined phrase 'inured from' and determine the word being modified, which is the adjective 'inured' (meaning accustomed to something undesirable).
The adjective 'inured' is identified.
To choose the correct preposition, one must know the specific idiomatic pairing for the adjective 'inured'.
2
Evaluate the idiomatic pairings for 'inured'. In standard English, 'inured' is followed by the preposition 'to'.
The correct preposition is determined to be 'to'.
Prepositional idioms are fixed expressions in English and must be memorized.
3
Select the option that contains 'inured to'.
The option with 'inured to' is chosen.
This choice represents the only grammatically and idiomatically correct phrasing.

Key Concept

Choosing the correct preposition to form a standard idiomatic expression with an adjective.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 328Question →

Launched in 1977 to study the outer solar system, the Voyager 1 spacecraft provided humanity with its first close-up images of Jupiter and Saturn. As it traveled past these gas giants, the probe revealed active volcanoes on Jupiter's moon Io and complex structures within Saturn's rings. Decades later, Voyager 1 crossed the heliopause into interstellar space, where it [continues] to transmit valuable data back to Earth.

Which choice best maintains the established verb tense of the passage?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: continued

Answer

continued
The correct answer maintains the past tense of the historical narrative. The other verbs in the passage ('provided', 'traveled', 'revealed', and 'crossed') establish a consistent past-tense framework, making 'continued' the appropriate choice.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the verbs in the surrounding sentences to determine the narrative's primary time frame.
The verbs 'provided', 'traveled', 'revealed', and 'crossed' are all in the past tense.
This establishes that the passage is a historical narrative written in the past tense.
2
Evaluate the underlined verb within the context of the sentence and passage.
The underlined verb describes an action that occurred in the same past time frame, so it must also be in the simple past tense.
Maintaining consistent verb tense prevents illogical shifts in time.
3
Identify the option that provides the simple past tense form of the verb.
The verb form 'continued' is the simple past tense.
It maintains complete grammatical consistency with the rest of the text.

Key Concept

Verb Tense Consistency
Question 329Question →

While reviewing the final draft of the literary anthology, the head publisher suggested that the guest editor and me should coordinate they're efforts to meet the upcoming submission deadline.

Which of the following options represents the grammatically correct choice to replace the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: I should coordinate their

Answer

the guest editor and I should coordinate their
The correct option correctly uses the subjective pronoun 'I' as part of the compound subject 'the guest editor and I' that performs the action 'should coordinate'. It also uses the possessive pronoun 'their' to modify the noun 'efforts'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the correct pronoun case for the compound subject.
The pronoun is part of the compound subject ('the guest editor and [pronoun]') performing the action 'should coordinate'. Therefore, the subjective pronoun 'I' must be used instead of the objective pronoun 'me'.
Subject pronouns are used when the pronoun performs the action of the verb.
2
Determine the correct word to indicate possession of 'efforts'.
The sentence requires the possessive pronoun 'their' to show ownership of 'efforts', not the contraction 'they're' (which stands for 'they are').
Possessive determiners modify nouns to show possession, whereas contractions combine a pronoun and a verb.

Key Concept

Pronoun Case in Compound Subjects and Homophone Distinction
Question 330Question →

In modern city planning, the design of sustainable skyscrapers helps reduce a city's carbon footprint. The vertical gardens on these structures, in addition to acting as a natural air filter, creates a cooling effect in dense urban areas.

Which of the following is the correct form of the bolded word 'creates'?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: create

Answer

create
The correct answer is the plural present-tense verb 'create' because it agrees with the plural subject 'gardens'. The intervening phrases 'on these structures' and 'in addition to acting as a natural air filter' separate the subject from the verb but do not change the subject's plural nature.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Locate the subject of the clause containing the bolded verb.
The subject is the plural noun 'gardens'.
The prepositional phrase 'on these structures' and the parenthetical phrase 'in addition to acting as a natural air filter' are intervening modifiers and do not affect the number of the subject.
2
Match the verb form to the plural subject 'gardens' to ensure subject-verb agreement.
The verb must be in its plural present-tense form, which is 'create'.
Plural subjects require plural verbs (e.g., 'gardens create'), whereas singular subjects require singular verbs (e.g., 'garden creates').
3
Check the surrounding context to verify tense consistency.
The first sentence uses the present-tense verb 'helps', confirming that the paragraph is written in the present tense.
To maintain tense consistency, the verb should remain in the present tense rather than shifting to the past tense.

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement with Intervening Phrases
Question 331Question →

Read the passage below. Fill in the blank with the correct phrase from the list of options to ensure the sentence is grammatically correct and avoids modifier placement errors.

Options:
- "the delicate tapestries were hung by curators in the lower gallery, where light levels are strictly controlled"
- "museum curators hung the delicate tapestries in the lower gallery, where light levels are strictly controlled"
- "the delicate tapestries was hung by curators in the lower gallery, where light levels are strictly controlled"
- "the delicate tapestries were hung by curators in the lower gallery, they controlled the light levels strictly"

Which phrase correctly completes the sentence?

Fill in the blanks below

The historic archive contains centuries-old textile artifacts that are highly sensitive to solar radiation. To prevent fading from ultraviolet rays, . This preservation strategy ensures that future generations can study these rare historical items.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

the delicate tapestries were hung by curators in the lower gallery, where light levels are strictly controlled
The correct phrase is 'the delicate tapestries were hung by curators in the lower gallery, where light levels are strictly controlled'. The introductory modifying phrase 'To prevent fading from ultraviolet rays' must logically modify the subject of the main clause that follows it. Since the tapestries are what needs protection from fading, 'the delicate tapestries' must serve as the subject. This phrase is grammatically correct because the plural subject 'tapestries' agrees with the plural verb 'were', and the dependent clause is properly linked with a relative pronoun rather than creating a comma splice.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the introductory phrase to determine what it must logically modify.
The phrase 'To prevent fading from ultraviolet rays' describes a process that must apply to the subject of the following main clause.
An introductory modifying phrase must modify the subject that immediately follows the comma to avoid a dangling modifier.
2
Identify the logical subject of the sentence.
The tapestries are what need protection from fading, not the curators. Thus, the main clause must begin with 'the delicate tapestries'.
Placing 'museum curators' as the subject creates a dangling modifier, which illogically suggests that the curators themselves are being prevented from fading.
3
Evaluate the remaining options starting with 'the delicate tapestries' for grammatical correctness.
The option containing 'was hung' is incorrect due to a subject-verb agreement error. The option ending with 'gallery, they controlled the light levels strictly' is incorrect because it creates a comma splice.
The correct option must resolve the modifier placement issue without introducing other grammatical errors.

Key Concept

Modifier Placement
Question 332Question →

The committee proposed that the funding allocated to each regional research initiative should be commensurate for the scope and expected impact of the proposed project.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: commensurate with

Answer

commensurate with
The correct option is the phrase that uses 'commensurate with' because the adjective 'commensurate' must be paired with 'with' to create the standard idiomatic construction meaning proportional or equivalent.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the adjective in the underlined portion and determine the correct idiom.
The adjective is 'commensurate,' which describes a relationship of equal scale or proportion.
Adjectives in English often govern specific prepositions to form standard idiomatic phrases.
2
Recall or identify the correct idiomatic preposition associated with 'commensurate.'
The standard preposition that pairs with 'commensurate' is 'with.'
Using any other preposition violates conventional English usage.
3
Evaluate the choices to locate the correct pairing.
The choice containing 'commensurate with' is the only option that utilizes the correct idiom.
Replacing the incorrect underlined phrase with this option makes the sentence grammatically correct.

Key Concept

Idiomatic preposition usage with adjectives
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 333Question →

Though the research team hoped to discover a diverse array of cave-dwelling insects, they soon realized that the subterranean cavern's high sulfur concentrations made the environment inimical toward the survival of all but the most specialized organisms. Which choice best replaces the underlined portion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: inimical to

Answer

The correct choice is 'inimical to', which uses the proper idiomatic preposition to follow the adjective 'inimical'.
The word 'inimical' is an adjective that must be followed by the preposition 'to' to form a correct, standard idiom in English. The option containing 'inimical to' is therefore correct because it respects this conventional pairing.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the underlined phrase and the adjective that dictates the idiomatic preposition.
The adjective is 'inimical', which means harmful, hostile, or adverse.
Prepositional idioms are determined by the specific words they follow.
2
Determine the correct preposition that pairs with 'inimical' in standard written English.
The correct idiomatic preposition is 'to' (yielding 'inimical to').
English grammar rules dictate specific pairings for certain adjectives; 'inimical' must be followed by 'to' rather than 'toward', 'for', or 'of'.
3
Select the option that matches this correct idiomatic usage.
The correct choice is 'inimical to'.
This is the only choice that resolves the error and uses the correct preposition.

Key Concept

Idiomatic prepositions following adjectives
Estimated Time:45s
Question 334Question →

Read the passage and fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs in parentheses to maintain tense consistency.

Fill in the blanks below

In 1799, French soldiers rebuilding a fort in Egypt discovered the Rosetta Stone. As soon as they uncovered the slab, they (notice) the carvings etched into its surface. Because the stone featured the same text in three different scripts, scholars soon realized they could use the Greek translation to decipher the hieroglyphs. This breakthrough finally (unlock) the mysteries of ancient Egypt.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The first blank must be filled with 'noticed' and the second blank must be filled with 'unlocked' to remain consistent with the established past-tense narrative.
The passage describes historical events that occurred in 1799, using past-tense verbs such as 'discovered,' 'uncovered,' 'featured,' 'realized,' and 'could.' To maintain grammatical consistency, the verbs in both blanks must be conjugated in the simple past tense ('noticed' and 'unlocked').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Examine the surrounding verbs in the passage to identify the primary tense context.
Verbs such as 'discovered,' 'uncovered,' 'featured,' 'realized,' and 'could' establish that the passage is written in the simple past tense.
Tense consistency requires maintaining the same timeframe throughout a passage unless a logical shift in time is indicated.
2
Conjugate the verb in parentheses for the first blank to match the past-tense timeline.
The base verb 'notice' becomes the simple past form 'noticed.'
This action occurs immediately after the soldiers 'uncovered' the slab, which is a completed action in the past.
3
Conjugate the verb in parentheses for the second blank to match the past-tense timeline.
The base verb 'unlock' becomes the simple past form 'unlocked.'
The final sentence describes the historical outcome of the breakthrough, which also occurred in the past, consistent with 'realized.'

Key Concept

Verb Tense and Consistency
Question 335Question →

While documenting the ruins of the ancient Roman harbor, the lead archaeologist instructed the junior researcher and he that they're analysis of the pottery shards must remain objective.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: him that their

Answer

The replacement 'him that their' is correct because 'him' functions as the objective pronoun in the compound object of the verb 'instructed', and 'their' is the correct possessive pronoun modifying the noun 'analysis'.
The correct choice is the one that reads 'him that their'. In the compound object of the verb 'instructed', the objective pronoun 'him' is required rather than the subjective pronoun 'he'. Additionally, 'their' is the possessive pronoun needed to modify 'analysis', whereas 'they're' is a contraction for 'they are' and does not fit the context.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the grammatical role of the pronoun in the compound phrase 'the junior researcher and he'.
The phrase is the direct object of the verb 'instructed', so it requires the objective case pronoun 'him' instead of the subjective 'he'.
Using the correct case ensures grammatical agreement based on the pronoun's syntactic function.
2
Determine the correct word to modify the noun 'analysis'.
The context requires the possessive pronoun 'their' to show ownership, not the contraction 'they're' (meaning 'they are').
Choosing the correct homophone prevents structural and meaning errors in the sentence.
3
Combine the correct pronoun case and the correct homophone.
The correct replacement is 'him that their'.
Only this combination addresses both the pronoun case error and the homophone confusion.

Key Concept

Pronoun Case and Person
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 336Question →

Complete the sentence by filling in the blanks with the correct comparative form of the adjective in parentheses and the appropriate comparative conjunction.

Fill in the blanks below

Although both plants are adapted to arid environments, the taproot of the honey mesquite tree is much (deep) the shallow roots of the saguaro cactus.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

deeper; than
The sentence compares exactly two subjects: the taproot of the honey mesquite tree and the shallow roots of the saguaro cactus. Therefore, the comparative form of the adjective 'deep' (which is 'deeper') is required. To connect the two compared elements, the comparative conjunction 'than' must be used.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the number of items being compared to choose between comparative and superlative forms.
Two items are compared: the taproot of the honey mesquite tree and the shallow roots of the saguaro cactus.
When comparing exactly two items, the comparative form of the adjective is required.
2
Form the comparative of the adjective 'deep'.
The comparative form is 'deeper'.
Single-syllable adjectives form their comparative by adding the suffix '-er'.
3
Identify the correct conjunction to introduce the second element of the comparison.
The correct conjunction is 'than'.
The word 'than' is used to make comparisons, whereas the homophone 'then' refers to time or sequence.

Key Concept

Comparatives and Superlatives
Question 337Question →

The structural columns of the new library were designed to compliment the classical architecture of the surrounding campus buildings.

Which of the following is the correct choice for the underlined word?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: complement

Answer

complement
The correct word is 'complement' because it functions as a verb meaning to combine with something else in a way that enhances or completes it. In the context of architectural design, the columns are intended to enhance the appearance of the surrounding buildings. The word 'compliment' means to express praise, which is incorrect since columns cannot praise buildings.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the meaning of the underlined word 'compliment' in the context of the sentence.
The sentence describes structural columns designed to visually go well with or enhance the classical architecture of other buildings. 'Compliment' means to praise, which makes no sense for physical columns.
Identifying the mismatch between the word's definition and the context indicates that a correction is needed.
2
Evaluate the choices to find the word that means to visually enhance or complete.
'Complement' means to complete or enhance by adding contrasting or coordinating features. This perfectly fits the design context of the sentence.
Selecting the correct homophone ensures semantic accuracy and proper word choice.

Key Concept

Frequently Confused Words (complement vs. compliment)
Question 338Question →

A team of researchers is translating a report on Mesoamerican excavations. Read the passage and determine which present-tense form of the verb 'to offer' correctly completes the sentence. Which present-tense form of the verb 'to offer' correctly completes the sentence to ensure proper subject-verb agreement?

Fill in the blanks below

Archaeologists studying Mesoamerican civilizations have recently uncovered a significant site. The discovery of a hidden chamber in the ancient Mayan temple, along with various jade artifacts, new insights into classical period trade routes.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct answer is 'offers' because the singular subject 'discovery' requires the singular present-tense verb form.
The subject of the verb is the singular noun 'discovery'. The intervening prepositional phrases 'of a hidden chamber...' and the parenthetical prepositional phrase 'along with various jade artifacts' do not make the subject plural. A singular subject requires a singular verb form. Therefore, the singular present-tense verb 'offers' is the correct choice.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the subject of the clause containing the blank.
The subject is the singular noun 'discovery'.
The noun 'discovery' is the head of the noun phrase that functions as the subject of the sentence.
2
Determine if the subject is singular or plural, ignoring any intervening prepositional or parenthetical phrases.
The subject 'discovery' is singular. The phrases 'of a hidden chamber...' and 'along with various jade artifacts' are intervening modifiers and do not affect the number of the subject.
Phrases starting with 'along with' or prepositions do not create a compound subject.
3
Match the singular subject with the correct present-tense form of the verb.
The correct singular present-tense form is 'offers'.
A singular subject requires a singular verb, which ends in '-s' in the present tense.

Key Concept

Subject-verb agreement with intervening prepositional and parenthetical phrases.
Question 339Question →

The lead architect of the urban redevelopment project decided that the responsibility of presenting the master plan to the city council would fall entirely on she and I, who's designs had been approved by the planning commission.

Which of the following options represents the most effective and grammatically correct version of the underlined portion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: her and me, whose

Answer

The correct answer is the option that uses the objective pronouns 'her and me' and the possessive pronoun 'whose'.
The preposition 'on' requires its objects to be in the objective case, making 'her and me' the correct pronoun selection. Additionally, the possessive pronoun 'whose' is needed to modify 'designs' because the contraction 'who's' represents 'who is' or 'who has'. The option containing both 'her and me' and 'whose' is grammatically correct.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the grammatical role of the pronouns following the preposition 'on'.
The pronouns function as the objects of the preposition 'on'. Therefore, they must be in the objective case.
Prepositions must always take pronouns in the objective case (e.g., 'her' and 'me' rather than 'she' and 'I').
2
Determine the correct word to modify the noun 'designs'.
The possessive relative pronoun 'whose' is required to indicate that the designs belong to the architects.
The contraction 'who's' means 'who is' or 'who has', which does not fit the possessive context of the sentence.

Key Concept

Pronoun Case and Person
Question 340Question →

The following passage is an excerpt from an essay about archaeological history.

In 1748, Spanish military engineer Rocque Joaquin de Alcubierre began excavations near Naples, hoping to find ancient artifacts for the King of Naples. Alcubierre's team uncovered the ruins of Pompeii, which had been buried under ash and pumice since the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. As the workers cleared away the debris, they reveal frescoed walls and preserved objects that offered a vivid glimpse into daily Roman life.

Which choice best maintains the tense and consistency of the passage?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: revealed

Answer

revealed
The correct option is 'revealed' because it uses the simple past tense, which aligns with the historical narrative established by the past tense verbs 'began', 'uncovered', 'cleared', and 'offered'. The sentence describes a completed past action that occurred concurrently with the workers clearing away the debris.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the temporal context of the passage by identifying the tenses of the surrounding verbs.
The verbs 'began', 'uncovered', 'cleared', and 'offered' are all in the simple past tense, establishing a consistent historical past-tense narrative.
Verb tenses in a paragraph must remain consistent unless there is a logical reason to shift timeframes.
2
Evaluate the underlined verb in relation to the clause it belongs to.
The subordinate clause 'As the workers cleared away the debris' uses the past tense 'cleared'. The main clause action ('they reveal') occurs at the same time and therefore must also be in the past tense.
Actions occurring concurrently in a historical narrative must share compatible past tenses.
3
Test the options to find the one that matches this past-tense requirement.
Changing the verb to 'revealed' matches the simple past tense of 'cleared' and 'offered'.
This maintains tense consistency throughout the passage.

Key Concept

Verb Tense and Consistency
Estimated Time:1m 0s
PreviousPage 17 / 21Next
Conventions of Usage Practice Questions — ACT — Page 17 | Examkin