Examkin

Sentence Structure and Formation

444 questions

All types444Multiple choice368Ordering15Fill in the blank61
Question 121Question →

Read the sentence below, which describes the tasks of archaeologists. Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb 'analyze' so that the sentence maintains a parallel grammatical structure. What is the correct form of the verb?

Fill in the blanks below

During the excavation of the ancient ruins, the archaeologists spent their afternoons carefully washing fragile pottery shards, meticulously documenting the location of each artifact, and systematically the chemical composition of the soil samples.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

analyzing (or analysing)
The correct answer is 'analyzing' (or 'analysing' in British English) because it is a gerund, which matches the grammatical form of the other activities listed in the sentence: 'washing' and 'documenting'. This consistency is required to maintain parallel structure in a series.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the elements of the list in the sentence that must be parallel.
The sentence lists three activities the archaeologists spent their afternoons doing: 'carefully washing fragile pottery shards,' 'meticulously documenting the location of each artifact,' and 'systematically [analyzing] the chemical composition of the soil samples.'
Parallel structure requires that items in a list or series share the same grammatical form.
2
Analyze the grammatical structure of the established items in the series.
The first two items in the series, 'washing' and 'documenting,' are gerunds (-ing verb forms acting as nouns/modifiers in participle phrases).
Determining the grammatical pattern of the existing list items establishes the required pattern for the missing item.
3
Determine the correct form of the target verb 'analyze' to match the established pattern.
To match the gerunds 'washing' and 'documenting,' the verb 'analyze' must also be in its gerund form, which is 'analyzing' (or 'analysing' in British English).
Using the gerund form 'analyzing' completes the parallel structure, ensuring all three elements in the series are grammatically consistent.

Key Concept

Parallel Structure in a Series
Question 122Question →

Many species of slime mold, such as *Physarum polycephalum*, exhibit primitive intelligence despite being single-celled organisms. When placed in a maze with food at two different exits, the mold will grow to fill the entire space, eventually retracting its branches from dead ends to leave a single, efficient connection. Although the organism lacks a brain or any nervous system. It manages to find the shortest path between the nutrient sources by utilizing a chemical memory of the paths it has already explored.

Which of the following choices best corrects the grammatical error in the underlined portion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Although the organism lacks a brain or any nervous system, it

Answer

The correct choice is the option that connects the introductory dependent clause to the main independent clause using a comma: 'Although the organism lacks a brain or any nervous system, it'.
The clause starting with the subordinating conjunction 'Although' is dependent and cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. Changing the period to a comma and changing the capital 'It' to a lowercase 'it' correctly joins this introductory dependent clause to the main independent clause that follows it.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the grammatical structure of the underlined portion.
The clause beginning with 'Although' is a dependent clause because it starts with a subordinating conjunction and cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
This helps determine why the original punctuation (a period) creates a sentence fragment.
2
Evaluate how to connect the dependent clause to the subsequent independent clause.
An introductory dependent clause must be followed by a comma before the independent clause begins.
Connecting them with a comma creates a grammatically complete, complex sentence.
3
Eliminate incorrect punctuation choices.
Using a semicolon is incorrect because semicolons only link two independent clauses. Removing the subordinating conjunction entirely creates two independent clauses separated only by a comma, resulting in a comma splice.
This confirms that only the comma-connected option is grammatically sound.

Key Concept

Identifying and correcting sentence fragments by properly linking dependent clauses to independent clauses.
Estimated Time:50s
Question 123Question →

The nesting habits of the piping plover, a small shorebird that breeds on sandy beaches, are much more difficult to study than an emperor penguin, researchers must endure extreme weather conditions to observe the latter.

Which choice best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: those of the emperor penguin; researchers

Answer

The choice that changes the underlined text to 'those of the emperor penguin; researchers' is correct because it establishes a logical comparison between the nesting habits of the two birds and uses a semicolon to avoid a comma splice.
The correct answer correctly uses the plural pronoun 'those' to refer to 'nesting habits,' creating a logical comparison between the nesting habits of the piping plover and the nesting habits of the emperor penguin. Additionally, it uses a semicolon to separate the two independent clauses, which resolves the comma splice.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the items being compared in the sentence.
The sentence compares 'the nesting habits of the piping plover' to 'an emperor penguin'.
To be grammatically logical, a comparison must compare similar things: in this case, nesting habits must be compared to other nesting habits, not to a bird.
2
Identify the pronoun needed to represent the compared plural noun and the appropriate punctuation to join the clauses.
The plural pronoun 'those' is needed to refer to the plural noun 'habits', and a semicolon is required to separate the two independent clauses.
Using 'those of' makes the comparison logical and parallel, and using a semicolon prevents a comma splice.

Key Concept

Illogical and Incomplete Comparisons
Question 124Question →

In 1964, radio astronomers Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson were troubled by a persistent background hiss in their Holmdel horn antenna. Although they meticulously cleaned the equipment and even removed nesting pigeons, but the mysterious static remained.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: They meticulously cleaned the equipment and even removed nesting pigeons,

Answer

They meticulously cleaned the equipment and even removed nesting pigeons,
The correct option removes the subordinating conjunction 'Although' from the first clause, which allows it to stand alone as an independent clause. This independent clause is then properly connected to the second independent clause by the comma and the coordinating conjunction 'but', forming a grammatically sound compound sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the relationship between the clauses and locate any conjunctions.
The sentence attempts to connect two clauses: one about cleaning the equipment and the other about the static remaining. The first clause begins with the subordinating conjunction 'Although', and the second clause begins with the coordinating conjunction 'but'.
This helps determine if the sentence contains coordination or subordination errors, such as using multiple contrasting conjunctions.
2
Evaluate the grammatical structure of the sentence.
Using both 'Although' (subordinating) and 'but' (coordinating) in the same sentence structure is redundant and grammatically incorrect. It leaves the entire construction without an independent main clause, creating a fragment.
To diagnose the specific grammatical error that needs correction.
3
Determine the correct way to join these clauses.
To fix the error, one of the conjunctions must be removed. Since 'but' is not underlined, we must remove 'Although' from the underlined portion. This leaves a complete independent clause joined to another independent clause by a comma and 'but', forming a proper compound sentence.
To select the choice that establishes correct sentence structure and maintains the logical contrast.

Key Concept

Subordination and Coordination
Question 125Question →

During the excavation of the ancient Roman villa, archaeologists focused not only on uncovering intact mosaics but also on the documentation of the site's structural foundations.

Which of the following choices best maintains parallel structure in the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: on documenting

Answer

on documenting
The correct choice is 'on documenting' because it establishes parallel structure with the first part of the correlative construction. The phrase 'not only on uncovering' uses the preposition 'on' followed by a gerund ('uncovering'). To maintain parallelism, the phrase following 'but also' must use the same structure: the preposition 'on' followed by the gerund 'documenting'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the correlative conjunction and the grammatical structure of the first element.
The sentence uses the correlative conjunction 'not only... but also'. The phrase immediately following 'not only' is 'on uncovering intact mosaics', which is a prepositional phrase containing the gerund 'uncovering'.
Parallel structure requires that elements joined by correlative conjunctions share the same grammatical form.
2
Analyze the underlined portion following 'but also' to check for parallel structure.
The underlined phrase 'on the documentation of' is a prepositional phrase containing the noun 'documentation', which is not parallel to the gerund 'uncovering'.
To maintain parallelism, the second element must also be a prepositional phrase with the preposition 'on' followed by a gerund.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the one that uses a gerund phrase beginning with the preposition 'on'.
The phrase 'on documenting' matches 'on uncovering' in both preposition and gerund form.
This maintains grammatical balance and clarity across the sentence.

Key Concept

Parallel Structure with Correlative Conjunctions
Question 126Question →

In 1967, astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell Burnell noticed a strange, repeating signal in her telescope data. Although many of her colleagues initially dismissed the anomaly as man-made interference, but Burnell insisted on analyzing the pulsing radio waves more closely. Her persistence led to the discovery of pulsars, rapidly rotating neutron stars that emit beams of electromagnetic radiation.

Which choice best coordinates or subordinates the clauses in the underlined portion to maintain a grammatically correct sentence structure?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Although many of her colleagues initially dismissed the anomaly as man-made interference, Burnell insisted

Answer

Although many of her colleagues initially dismissed the anomaly as man-made interference, Burnell insisted
The correct choice properly subordinates the first clause with the subordinating conjunction 'Although' and links it to the main independent clause using a comma. This avoids the grammatical redundancy of having both a subordinator and a coordinator in the same sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the structural relationship between the clauses in the sentence.
The first part of the sentence contains a dependent clause ('Although many of her colleagues initially dismissed the anomaly as man-made interference') and the second part contains an independent clause ('Burnell insisted on analyzing the pulsing radio waves more closely').
Understanding the clause types determines whether subordination or coordination is appropriate.
2
Identify any coordination or subordination errors in the original underlined phrasing.
The original phrasing uses both the subordinating conjunction 'Although' and the coordinating conjunction 'but' for the same relationship, which is grammatically redundant.
A dependent clause introduced by a subordinator cannot be joined to an independent clause using a coordinating conjunction.
3
Evaluate the remaining options to find the correct grammatical connection.
Removing the coordinator 'but' while keeping 'Although' correctly forms a complex sentence. Removing the subordinator 'Although' without adding a proper coordinator or semicolon leads to a comma splice. Using a semicolon before 'because' results in a dependent clause fragment.
To ensure the selected option is free of grammatical errors like comma splices or fragments.

Key Concept

Subordination and Coordination
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 127Question →

A writer wants to construct a logically ordered sentence about a committee's project steps while maintaining parallel grammatical structure. Order the following sentence segments to build this sentence, starting with the introductory clause.

Drag items to arrange them in the correct order

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The sentence segments must be ordered: 'Before starting the initiative, the committee focused on', followed by 'drafting the initial proposal,', then 'securing the necessary funding,', and finally 'and executing the project plan.'
The correct order begins with the main clause 'Before starting the initiative, the committee focused on' to establish the grammatical structure. It is followed by the parallel gerund phrases in chronological order: 'drafting the initial proposal,' then 'securing the necessary funding,' and ending with 'and executing the project plan.'

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the segment that contains the main subject and verb to introduce the sentence.
'Before starting the initiative, the committee focused on' must come first because it provides the introductory main clause and ends with the preposition 'on'.
This sets up the grammatical frame for the subsequent list of parallel activities that will follow the preposition.
2
Arrange the remaining gerund phrases in a logical chronological sequence.
The logical progression of a project is first drafting the proposal, then securing funding, and finally executing the plan.
Chronological and logical flow dictates that a proposal must be written before funding is secured, and funding must be secured before the plan is executed.
3
Verify that all items in the list maintain parallel grammatical structure.
The sequence 'drafting...', 'securing...', and 'executing...' consists entirely of parallel gerund phrases.
This satisfies the rules of parallel structure by using the same grammatical form (-ing verbs) for all items in the series.

Key Concept

Parallel structure requires that items in a series or list follow the same grammatical form (e.g., all gerunds, all infinitives, or all clauses) to maintain clarity and rhythm.
Question 128Question →

Unlike the warm, salty waters of the Mediterranean, the Baltic Sea is remarkably brackish and cold. Because its low salinity prevents the growth of shipworms. These destructive wood-boring clams would otherwise devour wooden shipwrecks within a few decades.

Which of the following options, if substituted for the underlined portion, makes the sentence grammatically correct?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: cold, because its

Answer

Unlike the warm, salty waters of the Mediterranean, the Baltic Sea is remarkably brackish and cold, because its low salinity prevents the growth of shipworms.
The correct option connects the dependent clause beginning with the subordinating conjunction 'because' to the preceding independent clause using a comma, resulting in a single, grammatically complete sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the underlined portion and the surrounding clauses to determine if a sentence fragment is present.
The clause 'Because its low salinity prevents the growth of shipworms' begins with a subordinating conjunction ('Because') and contains no independent main clause, making it a dependent clause fragment.
Identifying the grammatical nature of the clauses is necessary to determine what punctuation or conjunction is needed to connect them.
2
Evaluate the options to find a grammatically correct way to link the dependent clause to the main clause.
Connecting the dependent clause to the preceding independent clause ('the Baltic Sea is remarkably brackish and cold') with a comma and the lowercase conjunction 'because' resolves the fragment.
A dependent clause starting with a subordinating conjunction should be attached to an independent clause to form a complete, grammatically correct sentence.
3
Verify that the other choices do not introduce new errors like semicolon fragments or comma splices.
The option with a semicolon creates a semicolon fragment because a semicolon must separate two independent clauses. The option with 'cold, its' creates a comma splice because it links two independent clauses with only a comma.
Checking all options ensures that the selected choice is the only grammatically correct and appropriate solution.

Key Concept

Sentence Fragments and Clause Coordination
Question 129Question →

The following passage is an excerpt from a science article about ecosystems.

Peatlands function as highly efficient carbon sinks, storing more carbon than all of the world's forests combined. Although they cover only three percent of the Earth's land surface.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: combined, although they cover only three percent of the Earth's land surface.

Answer

combined, although they cover only three percent of the Earth's land surface.
The correct option correctly joins the dependent clause starting with 'although' to the main independent clause using a comma. This resolves the sentence fragment without introducing any punctuation errors.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the grammatical structures of the two clauses in the sentence.
The first clause ('Peatlands function as highly efficient carbon sinks, storing more carbon than all of the world's forests combined') is independent. The second clause ('Although they cover only three percent of the Earth's land surface') starts with the subordinating conjunction 'Although' and is dependent.
Understanding clause types is necessary to choose the correct punctuation to join them.
2
Evaluate the original sentence structure in the passage.
A period separates the independent clause from the dependent clause, turning the dependent clause into a sentence fragment.
To test if the original text is correct or needs revision.
3
Evaluate the options to find the grammatically correct connection.
Using a semicolon before 'although' is incorrect because a semicolon must join two independent clauses. Removing 'although' and using a comma creates a comma splice because it joins two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction. Connecting the dependent clause to the independent clause using a comma and 'although' correctly forms a single complex sentence.
To eliminate grammatically incorrect options and select the correct answer.

Key Concept

Sentence Fragments
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 130Question →

The conservation strategies for the endangered leatherback sea turtle are more complex than a typical freshwater turtle, they require international cooperation to protect nesting beaches.

Which of the following choices best corrects the underlined portion in the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: those of a typical freshwater turtle; they

Answer

The choice that states 'those of a typical freshwater turtle; they' is correct because it ensures a logical comparison by comparing 'conservation strategies' to 'those of' (the strategies of) a freshwater turtle, and it correctly uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses.
The correct option is 'those of a typical freshwater turtle; they' because it resolves the illogical comparison by comparing 'conservation strategies' (plural) to 'those of' (plural pronoun referencing the strategies of) a freshwater turtle. It also correctly uses a semicolon to separate the two independent clauses.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the items being compared in the sentence.
The sentence compares the 'conservation strategies' (a plural noun phrase describing actions/plans) of the leatherback sea turtle to 'a typical freshwater turtle' (an animal).
To be grammatically and logically correct, comparisons must compare similar things (noun-to-noun or concept-to-concept).
2
Correct the illogical comparison using a plural pronoun.
Since 'conservation strategies' is plural, the pronoun 'those of' must be used to represent 'the conservation strategies of'.
This ensures that strategies are compared to other strategies, not to an animal.
3
Analyze the punctuation joining the two clauses.
The sentence contains two independent clauses: the first ends with the comparison, and the second begins with 'they require...'. A semicolon must be used instead of a comma to avoid a comma splice.
A comma alone cannot join two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.

Key Concept

Illogical Comparisons and Comma Splices
Question 131Question →

Emily Warren Roebling stepped in to manage the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge after her husband, the chief engineer, fell ill. Although she had not been formally trained as an engineer; but she quickly mastered key concepts in engineering and materials science to guide the project to completion.

Which of the following choices best replaces the underlined portion to create a grammatically correct sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Although she had not been formally trained as an engineer, she

Answer

Although she had not been formally trained as an engineer, she
The correct option correctly uses the subordinating conjunction 'Although' to set up a dependent clause, which is separated from the main independent clause by a comma. This creates a grammatically correct sentence showing contrast.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the relationship between the two clauses in the sentence.
The clause 'she had not been formally trained as an engineer' introduces a concession to the main action of mastering engineering concepts.
Identifying the logical relationship helps determine which conjunctions are required to link the clauses.
2
Evaluate the structure for proper subordination and coordination.
The correct structure requires either a subordinating conjunction (like 'Although') introducing a dependent clause followed by a comma and the main clause, or two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (like 'but'). It cannot use both, and a semicolon should not separate a dependent clause from an independent clause.
This ensures the sentence does not contain fragments, comma splices, or redundant conjunctions.

Key Concept

Subordination and Coordination
Question 132Question →

Peat bogs contain unique chemical properties, most notably a highly acidic compound called sphagnan. Because this substance binds with calcium, a mineral essential for microbial growth, and deprives bacteria of the nutrients they need to survive. Consequently, organic matter deposited in these wetlands can remain pristine for thousands of years.

Which of the following choices best replaces the underlined portion to ensure the sentence is grammatically complete?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: This substance binds with calcium, a mineral essential for microbial growth, and deprives bacteria of the nutrients they need to survive.

Answer

The option that removes the subordinating conjunction 'Because' and converts the clause into an independent sentence is correct. It creates a complete sentence with a subject ('This substance') and two verbs ('binds' and 'deprives') joined by a coordinating conjunction, with the appositive phrase set off by commas.
The option that removes the subordinating conjunction 'Because' and converts the clause into an independent sentence is correct. It creates a complete sentence with a subject ('This substance') and two verbs ('binds' and 'deprives') joined by a coordinating conjunction, with the appositive phrase set off by commas.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the underlined portion to identify if it is a complete sentence or a fragment.
The original passage contains a period before 'Because' and a period after 'survive.' Because the underlined portion starts with the subordinating conjunction 'Because' and does not connect to an independent clause, it is a dependent clause fragment.
Identifying the grammatical status of the original sentence helps determine what correction is required.
2
Evaluate the option that removes the subordinating conjunction to form an independent clause.
The option starting with 'This substance binds...' removes 'Because,' creating an independent clause with the subject 'This substance' and the compound verbs 'binds' and 'deprives.' This resolves the fragment.
Removing the subordinator creates a complete, grammatically sound sentence.
3
Examine the remaining options to ensure they do not introduce new grammatical errors.
The option with the semicolon introduces a fragment after the punctuation mark, and the option with 'it deprives' creates a comma splice.
Verifying the distractors ensures that the selected option is the only grammatically correct choice.

Key Concept

Sentence Fragments
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 133Question →

Read the following passage:

Many people dismiss crows as noisy pests. Although these birds actually possess remarkable intelligence, showing the ability to solve complex problems and even make their own tools.

Which choice best replaces the underlined portion to make the sentence grammatically correct?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: pests, but these birds actually

Answer

The correct answer is 'pests, but these birds actually', which correctly joins the two independent clauses with a comma and the coordinating conjunction 'but' to show contrast.
The correct choice uses the coordinating conjunction 'but' preceded by a comma to join two independent clauses. This establishes a logical contrast between how people view crows (as pests) and what they actually are (highly intelligent).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the relationship between the two clauses: 'Many people dismiss crows as noisy pests' and 'these birds actually possess remarkable intelligence...'.
The two clauses present contrasting ideas, meaning they should be joined by a coordinating conjunction that shows contrast (like 'but') or structured as a dependent and independent clause pair.
Identifying the logical relationship is necessary to select the correct transition.
2
Evaluate the grammar and punctuation of each option.
The original sentence ('NO CHANGE') creates a sentence fragment because 'Although' makes the second clause dependent. Using a semicolon before 'because' is incorrect because semicolons must separate two independent clauses. Using 'so' is logically incorrect because it implies cause-and-effect.
Applying rules of coordination and subordination eliminates grammatically and logically incorrect options.

Key Concept

Subordination and Coordination
Question 134Question →

Read the passage below and select the best revision for the underlined portion.

New Caledonian crows are famous for their ability to manufacture tools. Because they bend twigs into hooks to extract insects from tree bark.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: They bend twigs into hooks to extract insects from tree bark.

Answer

The option that removes the subordinating conjunction to form a complete independent sentence.
The correct option removes the subordinating conjunction to turn the dependent clause into a complete, independent sentence with its own subject and verb. This resolves the sentence fragment error while maintaining the intended meaning.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the grammatical error in the underlined portion.
The clause starting with the subordinating conjunction is treated as a standalone sentence, making it a dependent clause fragment.
A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a grammatically complete sentence.
2
Evaluate the choices to find one that resolves the fragment without introducing new punctuation errors.
The revision that removes the subordinating conjunction creates a complete, independent sentence.
An independent sentence must express a complete thought and contain both a subject and a verb.

Key Concept

Identifying and correcting sentence fragments caused by dependent clauses.
Estimated Time:45s
Question 135Question →

The following passage is adapted from an article about the history of linguistics.

For decades, efforts to decipher the ancient Mayan script were stalled by the prevailing assumption that the logograms represented whole words rather than individual sounds; since linguist Yuri Knorozov proposed that the glyphs had phonetic values, and this shift in perspective eventually revolutionized the field of epigraphy.

Which choice, if substituted for the underlined portion, makes the sentence grammatically correct and logically coherent?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: when linguist Yuri Knorozov proposed that the glyphs had phonetic values, this

Answer

The correct option is the one that begins with the subordinating conjunction 'when' and connects the dependent clause to the independent clause with a comma.
The correct option is the one starting with 'when' because it properly uses the subordinating conjunction to introduce a dependent clause, which is then correctly separated by a comma from the main independent clause. This structure avoids fragments, run-ons, and comma splices, while accurately conveying the temporal and logical relationship of the events.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the grammatical structure of the sentence after the semicolon.
The original text features 'since... and this...', which subordinates the first clause but then coordinates the next, leaving the second half of the sentence without a main independent clause.
Identifying sentence components prevents fragments and ensures proper subordination.
2
Evaluate the logical relationship between Knorozov's proposal and the subsequent revolution in epigraphy.
The relationship is temporal and causal: the proposal occurred, which then caused the shift that revolutionized the field.
Choosing the correct transition or subordinating conjunction requires understanding the logical connection between the clauses.
3
Test the options for run-ons, comma splices, and punctuation errors.
The option without any conjunctions creates a comma splice. The option with a semicolon before 'but' creates a punctuation error and uses an incorrect contrasting transition. The option starting with 'when' correctly subordinates the first clause to the main clause.
Eliminating grammatically flawed choices leads to the only correct, standard English structure.

Key Concept

Subordination and Coordination
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 136Question →

To prepare for the complex laboratory experiment, the students were instructed to calibrate the scale, clean the glass beakers, and they must sterilize the workspace.

Which choice best maintains the parallel structure of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: sterilize

Answer

sterilize
The sentence presents a list of three tasks: 'to calibrate the scale,' 'clean the glass beakers,' and the final task. The first two items use bare infinitives ('calibrate' and 'clean') linked to the initial preposition 'to'. To maintain parallel structure, the third item must also be a bare infinitive. The option containing 'sterilize' correctly completes this parallel series.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the list of actions in the sentence.
The list contains 'to calibrate the scale', 'clean the glass beakers', and 'they must sterilize the workspace'.
Parallel structure requires items in a series to share the same grammatical form.
2
Determine the grammatical structure of the non-underlined list items.
The verbs 'calibrate' and 'clean' are base form verbs (bare infinitives) connected to the shared preposition 'to'.
This establishes the structure that the third item must match.
3
Select the option that matches the base form verb structure.
The verb 'sterilize' is the base form that matches 'calibrate' and 'clean'.
Using 'sterilize' completes the parallel infinitive structure.

Key Concept

Parallel Structure
Question 137Question →

Read the passage below. What form of the verb 'disclose' should be written in the blank to maintain consistency in grammatical construction and avoid an incorrect shift in mood?

Fill in the blanks below

During the high-profile trial, the legal teams faced intense scrutiny from both the media and the public. In a tense courtroom session yesterday, the defense attorney insisted that the suspect be released on bail and that the prosecution all relevant evidence immediately. Ultimately, the judge denied the request, citing the severity of the charges.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

disclose
The correct answer is the base verb form 'disclose'. The sentence features parallel subordinate clauses introduced by 'insisted that'. The first clause, 'that the suspect be released on bail,' uses the subjunctive mood. To prevent an illogical shift in construction and mood, the second clause must also use the subjunctive mood, which requires the base form of the verb ('disclose').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the main verb and its grammatical influence.
The main verb governing the subordinate clauses is 'insisted'.
Verbs expressing demand, insistence, or recommendation govern the subjunctive mood in their dependent clauses.
2
Examine the mood of the first dependent clause.
The first clause is 'that the suspect be released', which is in the subjunctive mood.
This establishes the subjunctive construction (using the base form 'be') for parallel elements in the sentence.
3
Determine the correct verb form for the second dependent clause.
The second clause must also use the subjunctive mood to maintain consistency in grammatical construction and avoid a shift in mood.
To maintain parallel subjunctive construction, the base form of the verb 'disclose' is required.

Key Concept

Avoiding shifts in grammatical construction and maintaining subjunctive mood consistency
Question 138Question →

Deep inside a sandstone mountain on the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen lies the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a secure facility designed to preserve the world's crop diversity. Which serves as a fail-safe backup against the accidental loss of seeds in traditional genebanks.

Which choice best corrects the underlined portion of the passage?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: diversity, which serves as a fail-safe backup

Answer

The option that changes the punctuation and inserts 'which serves' is correct because it properly subordinates the clause, connecting it to the independent clause as a modifier.
The correct option uses a comma followed by the relative pronoun 'which' to subordinate the clause, attaching it directly to the noun phrase it modifies ('a secure facility designed to preserve the world's crop diversity'). This resolves the sentence fragment by integrating it into a grammatically complete complex sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the grammatical structure of the underlined portion and the surrounding clauses.
The clause 'Which serves as a fail-safe backup...' is a relative clause that lacks a subject/independent structure to stand on its own, making the original construction a dependent clause fragment.
Recognizing that the clause is dependent tells us that it cannot be written as a separate sentence.
2
Evaluate the punctuation and conjunctions needed to join the clauses.
Using a semicolon before a non-finite verb ('serving') creates a semicolon fragment, while placing a comma between 'diversity' and 'this vault serves' results in a comma splice because both sides would be independent clauses.
This eliminates the incorrect structural combinations.
3
Select the option that correctly integrates the dependent clause.
The choice that uses a comma followed by 'which serves' properly subordinates the clause, attaching it to the preceding independent clause as a modifier.
This creates a single, grammatically complete complex sentence.

Key Concept

Sentence Fragments
Question 139Question →

The red panda is native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. Although it shares a name with the giant panda, but the two species are not closely related, as the red panda is more closely allied with weasels and raccoons.

Which choice most effectively corrects the underlined portion to establish a clear and grammatically correct relationship between the clauses?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Although it shares a name with the giant panda, the

Answer

Although it shares a name with the giant panda, the
The correct answer properly structures the sentence by starting with the subordinating conjunction 'Although' to set up a dependent clause, which is followed by a comma and the main independent clause. This avoids the double-conjunction error present in the original sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the relationship between the clauses: 'Although it shares a name with the giant panda' and 'the two species are not closely related'.
The first clause is a dependent clause introduced by the subordinating conjunction 'Although', while the second is an independent clause.
Identifying clause types determines the appropriate punctuation and conjunctions needed to join them.
2
Check the conjunctions in the original sentence.
The original sentence contains both 'Although' and 'but'. Using both a subordinating conjunction and a coordinating conjunction to connect the same two clauses is grammatically redundant.
Eliminating redundant conjunctions ensures proper sentence structure.
3
Select the option that correctly separates the dependent clause from the independent clause using a comma.
The option that removes 'but' and keeps the comma correctly links the introductory dependent clause to the main independent clause.
An introductory dependent clause must be followed by a comma and a main clause, without an extra coordinating conjunction.

Key Concept

Subordination and Coordination
Question 140Question →

The wildlife biologist explained that the migration patterns of arctic terns are not only longer than any other bird species but also more complex.

Which choice is the most grammatically correct option for the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: those of any other bird species

Answer

those of any other bird species
The correct option correctly uses the plural pronoun 'those' to represent 'migration patterns,' completing a parallel and logical comparison between the migration patterns of arctic terns and the migration patterns of other bird species.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the elements being compared in the sentence.
The sentence compares the 'migration patterns of arctic terns' to another element after the comparative phrase 'longer than.'
To ensure a logical comparison, the two compared items must represent the same type of concept.
2
Check the grammatical parallelism of the comparison.
The original phrase compares 'migration patterns' (a plural noun phrase) to 'any other bird species' (a noun phrase representing the birds themselves). This is an illogical comparison because a pattern cannot be compared directly to an animal.
Parallel structure requires comparing plural noun phrases using a pronoun like 'those of' or by repeating the noun.
3
Evaluate the options for correct pronoun reference and tense consistency.
Only the option using the plural pronoun 'those' to refer to 'migration patterns' resolves the illogical comparison while keeping the present tense.
This establishes a parallel and logical comparison: the migration patterns of one species are compared to the migration patterns (those) of other species.

Key Concept

Parallel Structure and Logical Comparison
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