Shifts in Construction

41 questions

Question 1Question

For decades, the migration patterns of the monarch butterfly baffled entomologists. Although researchers knew the insects traveled thousands of miles south each autumn, how they navigated to the exact same high-altitude forests in Mexico remained unclear. Modern studies reveal that monarchs use a solar compass, which adjusts for the time of day, and their descent is guided by magnetic cues.

Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion is most grammatically correct and consistent with the tone and structure of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: and rely on magnetic cues to guide their descent.

Answer

and rely on magnetic cues to guide their descent.
The correct option maintains the active voice and parallel structure established in the first clause. By coordinating the present-tense verb 'rely' with 'use', the sentence maintains 'monarchs' as the single subject of both actions and avoids any shift in construction.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the subject and voice of the first main clause in the coordinate sentence.
The subject is 'monarchs' and the verb 'use' is active.
Establishing the initial structure of the sentence determines the parallel pattern that should follow.
2
Analyze the underlined portion for shifts in construction relative to the first clause.
The underlined portion shifts to a passive verb form ('is guided') and changes the grammatical subject to 'their descent'.
Identifying this shift reveals the error in construction and parallelism that needs correction.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the one that maintains consistency in both voice and subject.
The option containing 'rely on magnetic cues' maintains the active voice and allows 'monarchs' to remain the implied subject of the coordinate verb.
A coordinate predicate using the active-voice verb 'rely' perfectly parallels 'use', avoiding any awkward shifts in construction.

Key Concept

Shifts in Construction
Question 2Question

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 3Question

During his tenure at the university, the professor not only published several groundbreaking papers on marine biology, but also the department's research funding was doubled by him through private grants. This influx of capital allowed his graduate students to conduct extensive field studies in the Pacific Ocean. Consequently, the university quickly became a leading institution for oceanographic research.

Which of the following options best replaces the bolded portion to maintain a consistent grammatical construction and active voice throughout the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: doubled the department's research funding

Answer

The option that reads 'doubled the department's research funding' is the correct answer.
The correct option maintains a consistent active voice and parallel structure. The past tense verb 'doubled' perfectly matches the past tense verb 'published' inside the 'not only... but also...' construction, allowing 'the professor' to remain the clear subject for both actions.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the structure of the sentence containing the bolded portion.
The sentence uses the correlative conjunction structure 'not only... but also...' to join two actions performed by the same subject ('the professor').
Correlative conjunctions must connect grammatically parallel elements to avoid a shift in construction.
2
Analyze the grammatical structure of the first element in the pair.
The first element is 'published several groundbreaking papers...', which uses the active voice and the simple past tense verb 'published'.
This establishes the grammatical pattern that the second element must match.
3
Evaluate the second element to see if there is a shift in construction.
The original phrasing 'the department's research funding was doubled by him' shifts to the passive voice and changes the subject of the clause.
This shift violates parallel structure and creates an awkward, wordy construction.
4
Select the option that maintains active voice, parallel past-tense verbs, and grammatical consistency.
The phrase 'doubled the department's research funding' matches 'published' and keeps 'the professor' as the active performer of both actions.
This restores parallel structure and ensures a clean, direct sentence.

Key Concept

Maintaining parallel structure and avoiding unnecessary shifts in voice or grammatical construction within a sentence.
Question 4Question

During last week's field trip, students observed the behavior of honeybees in a local garden. The students tracked several bees back to their hives and are recording the findings in their science journals. Later, they shared their observations with the class.

Which choice best corrects the underlined portion in the passage?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: recorded

Answer

recorded
The correct option is 'recorded' because the entire passage is written in the past tense, as shown by 'observed,' 'tracked,' and 'shared.' Using the past-tense verb 'recorded' maintains consistent construction throughout the sentence and avoids a jarring shift in verb tense.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the verb tense of the surrounding verbs in the passage.
The verbs 'observed,' 'tracked,' and 'shared' are all in the past tense.
This establishes a past-tense framework for the entire passage.
2
Analyze the underlined verb phrase 'are recording'.
It is in the present progressive tense.
This creates an inconsistent verb tense shift, which disrupts chronological order.
3
Select the option that matches the past tense of the other verbs.
The word 'recorded' is in the simple past tense.
This maintains grammatical consistency and parallel construction with 'tracked.'

Key Concept

Shifts in Construction
Question 5Question

To maintain consistency in grammatical construction and mood throughout the passage, what form of the verb 'demonstrate' should be written in the blank?

Fill in the blanks below

During the initial phase of the clinical study, several anomalies emerged in the preliminary patient logs. In response, the lead investigator insisted that the raw data be compiled into a central database and that the research team the validity of the results through a series of double-blind trials. This rigorous approach ensured that the final publication would withstand intense peer review.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct form of the verb is 'demonstrate', which maintains the subjunctive mood and parallel construction of the dependent clauses.
The correct answer is 'demonstrate' because the verb must remain in the subjunctive mood to parallel the clause 'that the raw data be compiled', both of which are governed by the demand verb 'insisted'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the main verb and the grammatical mood established in the first part of the sentence.
The sentence uses the main verb 'insisted' followed by the subjunctive clause 'that the raw data be compiled' (indicated by the subjunctive form 'be compiled' instead of 'is compiled' or 'was compiled').
Determining the mood of the initial clause is necessary to maintain consistency across the entire construction.
2
Analyze the coordinate clause linked by the conjunction 'and'.
The second clause is 'that the research team [verb] the validity...', which must parallel the first subjunctive clause.
To avoid a shift in construction, both clauses dependent on 'insisted that' must share the same subjunctive mood.
3
Formulate the correct subjunctive form of the verb 'demonstrate' for the subject 'the research team'.
The subjunctive mood uses the base form of the verb, which is 'demonstrate'.
This completes the parallel subjunctive construction without introducing an ungrammatical shift to the indicative mood.

Key Concept

Maintaining grammatical consistency and mood in coordinate subjunctive constructions.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Question 6Question

Read the sentence below. What pronoun must be written in the blank to avoid an unnecessary shift in pronoun person and maintain grammatical consistency?

Fill in the blanks below

If you want to bake a delicious loaf of bread, must follow the recipe carefully.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

you
The correct pronoun is 'you' because the sentence begins with the second-person pronoun 'you' in the conditional clause. To maintain consistency in pronoun person and avoid a shift in construction, the independent clause must also use 'you'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the pronoun person established in the first clause of the sentence.
The conditional clause 'If you want to bake...' uses the second-person pronoun 'you'.
This establishes the point of view (second person) for the sentence.
2
Select a pronoun for the second clause that matches the established point of view.
The pronoun 'you' matches the second-person perspective.
Using a different pronoun (such as 'one' or 'he') would create an unnecessary shift in pronoun person.

Key Concept

Pronoun Person Consistency
Estimated Time:30s
Question 7Question

Every summer, thousands of visitors travel to the national park to view the spectacular waterfalls. They walk along the paved trails, took photos of the scenery, and enjoy picnic lunches by the river. These activities make the park a popular destination for families.

Which choice best maintains grammatical consistency in the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: take

Answer

take
The correct answer is 'take' because it is a present-tense verb that is parallel with the other verbs in the sentence, 'walk' and 'enjoy'. This choice ensures that the sentence maintains a consistent present-tense structure.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the verbs in the list within the second sentence.
The verbs in the list are 'walk', 'took', and 'enjoy'.
To maintain consistency, all verbs in a parallel list must share the same grammatical form and tense.
2
Analyze the tense of the surrounding verbs in the passage.
The verbs 'travel', 'walk', 'enjoy', and 'make' are all in the present tense.
The passage establishes a habitual present-tense timeline, meaning the underlined verb must also be in the present tense.
3
Choose the present-tense verb that fits the list's structure.
The present-tense verb 'take' is parallel to 'walk' and 'enjoy'.
Using 'take' prevents an illogical shift in tense and maintains parallel structure.

Key Concept

Shifts in Construction
Estimated Time:45s
Question 8Question

During the nineteenth century, steam engines powered massive factories and {{blank_1}} the transportation of goods across the country. Which form of the verb 'revolutionize' should be written in the blank to maintain a consistent verb tense?

Fill in the blanks below

During the nineteenth century, steam engines powered massive factories and the transportation of goods across the country.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

revolutionized
The sentence describes historical events that occurred during the nineteenth century. The first verb in the compound predicate, 'powered', is in the simple past tense. To avoid an unnecessary shift in construction, the second verb linked by 'and' must also be in the simple past tense. Therefore, the past tense form 'revolutionized' is correct.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the tense of the first verb in the sentence's compound predicate.
The verb 'powered' is in the simple past tense.
This establishes that the historical events described in the sentence took place in the past.
2
Determine the tense required for the second verb linked by the coordinating conjunction.
The second verb must also be in the simple past tense to remain consistent with 'powered'.
An unnecessary shift in verb tense would disrupt the logical flow of the sentence.
3
Conjugate the verb 'revolutionize' to the simple past tense.
The simple past tense form is 'revolutionized'.
This correctly completes the parallel past-tense structure.

Key Concept

Verb Tense Consistency
Question 9Question

In the seventeenth century, the Dutch tulip market experienced an unprecedented boom. Wealthy investors and ordinary citizens alike traded rare bulbs for exorbitant prices, hoping to secure fortunes overnight. They speculated on future harvests, pledged their estates as collateral, and are creating one of history's first recorded financial bubbles. Ultimately, the market collapsed in 1637, leaving many families in financial ruin.

Which of the following choices for the underlined portion best maintains a consistent verb tense and parallel structure in the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: created

Answer

The correct answer is the option that uses the simple past tense verb 'created' to maintain consistency with the other past tense verbs in the series.
The correct choice uses the simple past tense verb 'created' to match the verbs 'speculated' and 'pledged'. This maintains parallel structure in the list of actions and avoids an unnecessary shift in verb tense.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the parallel elements in the list within the third sentence.
The sentence lists three actions performed by the subjects: (1) 'speculated on future harvests', (2) 'pledged their estates as collateral', and (3) the underlined portion.
Identifying parallel structures is necessary to ensure consistent grammatical construction across all items in a series.
2
Determine the tense of the verbs that are already established in the series.
The verbs 'speculated' and 'pledged' are both in the simple past tense.
To maintain parallel structure and prevent illogical construction shifts, the final verb in the series must match the simple past tense of the preceding verbs.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the verb form that maintains consistency and parallel structure.
The simple past tense verb 'created' matches 'speculated' and 'pledged', resolving the grammatical shift.
Choosing the past tense verb completes the parallel list in a grammatically consistent manner.

Key Concept

Shifts in Construction (Verb Tense Consistency and Parallelism)
Question 10Question

Read the passage below. To maintain consistency in grammatical construction and mood throughout the passage, what form of the verb 'stain' should be written in the blank?

Fill in the blanks below

When preparing a specimen for electron microscopy, first slice the tissue into extremely thin sections, and then rinse the sample with a buffering solution. Once the sample is prepared, it with a heavy metal stain to enhance the contrast of the cellular structures.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

stain
The passage establishes a sequence of instructions using the imperative mood ('slice' and 'rinse'). To maintain consistency in construction and mood, the blank must also use the imperative form of the verb. The base form 'stain' functions as a command, thereby preserving the parallel grammatical structure of the directions.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the grammatical mood and construction of the preceding sentences and clauses in the passage.
The initial instructions use the imperative mood ('first slice... and then rinse...'), which issues direct commands without an explicit subject.
This establishes the established pattern of construction (imperative mood) for the instructional passage.
2
Identify the construction shift that would occur if other moods or structures were used.
Inserting indicative phrases like 'you should stain' or gerunds like 'staining' would shift the construction away from the imperative mood.
Maintaining consistent construction prevents a jarring shift in the author's tone and sentence structure.
3
Determine the correct form of the target verb 'stain' that maintains the imperative mood.
The base form 'stain' functions as an imperative verb, maintaining parallel construction with 'slice' and 'rinse'.
This completes the sentence while preserving grammatical consistency throughout the passage.

Key Concept

Shifts in Construction (Mood Consistency)
Question 11Question

To prepare a healthy garden, a gardener first tills the soil and clears out any weeds. Next, the gardener added compost to enrich the soil before planting the seeds. Finally, watering the beds regularly ensures that the plants grow strong.

Which of the following options, if substituted for the underlined word, best maintains a consistent verb tense in the passage?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: adds

Answer

adds
The correct answer is the word 'adds' because it is in the simple present tense. This matches the tense of the other verbs in the passage—'tills,' 'clears,' and 'ensures'—maintaining a consistent and logical timeframe throughout.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the verbs in the surrounding sentences of the passage to identify the established timeframe.
The verbs 'tills' and 'clears' in the first sentence and 'ensures' in the third sentence are all in the simple present tense.
Establishing the dominant tense of the passage is necessary to recognize any inconsistent shifts in construction.
2
Evaluate the underlined verb 'added' against the established present-tense timeframe.
The verb 'added' is in the past tense, which represents a shift in construction from the present tense used elsewhere.
An unnecessary shift in verb tense disrupts the flow and logic of the passage.
3
Select the option that corrects this shift by putting the verb in the simple present tense.
The word 'adds' is in the simple present tense and matches the grammatical construction of the other sentences.
Using the present tense maintains consistency and ensures grammatical agreement across the entire passage.

Key Concept

Avoiding unnecessary shifts in verb tense to maintain grammatical consistency within a passage.
Estimated Time:40s
Question 12Question

In the sentence below, the writer wants to maintain a consistent present-tense construction. Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb 'rise' to ensure grammatical consistency.

Fill in the blanks below

Every morning, the birds sing loudly outside my window, and the sun over the horizon.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

rises
The verb 'sing' in the first clause establishes that the actions are happening in the present tense. To avoid an unnecessary shift in construction, the verb in the second clause must also be in the present tense. Since the subject 'the sun' is singular, the correct present-tense form is 'rises'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the tense of the established verb in the sentence.
The verb 'sing' in the first clause is in the present tense, establishing a present-tense frame for the habitual morning routine.
To maintain consistency and avoid an unnecessary shift in construction, the verb in the second clause must also be in the present tense.
2
Determine the subject of the second clause and apply the correct present-tense verb form.
The subject of the second clause is 'the sun' (third-person singular), which requires the singular present-tense form 'rises'.
Using any other tense or incorrect subject-verb agreement would violate grammatical consistency.

Key Concept

Maintaining consistent verb tense to avoid shifts in construction within a sentence.
Question 13Question

The following passage is an excerpt from a history of the Brooklyn Bridge.

During the building of the Brooklyn Bridge in the late nineteenth century, workers faced dangerous conditions under the East River. Inside the massive timber caissons, laborers excavated silt, blasted bedrock, and a constant battle against decompression sickness was fought. Many workers emerged from the depths with severe joint pain, a condition they called "the bends."

Which of the following choices best corrects the underlined portion to maintain consistency in grammatical construction?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: fought a constant battle against decompression sickness

Answer

fought a constant battle against decompression sickness
The correct option maintains the active voice and past tense established earlier in the sentence. The sentence describes a list of actions performed by the subject 'laborers': they 'excavated silt,' 'blasted bedrock,' and 'fought a constant battle.' Using the active, past-tense verb 'fought' ensures grammatical parallelism and prevents an unnecessary shift in construction.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the structure of the sentence and the list of actions performed by the subject.
The subject 'laborers' performs a series of three actions: 'excavated silt,' 'blasted bedrock,' and the underlined portion.
Understanding the grammatical structure helps identify the pattern that the third item must follow.
2
Analyze the underlined portion to check for consistency in construction.
The original phrasing 'a constant battle against decompression sickness was fought' is in the passive voice with a new subject ('a constant battle'), shifting construction away from the active past-tense verbs 'excavated' and 'blasted'.
This identifies the error in the original sentence as a shift in grammatical construction and voice.
3
Evaluate the choices to find one that maintains active voice, past tense, and grammatical parallelism.
The phrasing 'fought a constant battle against decompression sickness' matches the past-tense active structure of 'excavated' and 'blasted' and keeps 'laborers' as the subject.
This resolves the construction shift and ensures parallel structure.

Key Concept

Avoiding shifts in construction and maintaining parallel structure in a list of verbs.
Question 14Question

In the late afternoon, the library is quiet and peaceful. Students sit at the large oak tables, and librarians shelved books in the background. The soft hum of the air conditioner provides a soothing backdrop for studying.

Which choice best maintains a consistent grammatical tense throughout the passage?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: shelve

Answer

shelve
The correct answer is 'shelve' because it is a present tense verb that matches the plural subject 'librarians' and maintains consistency with the other present tense verbs in the passage.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the tenses of the surrounding verbs in the passage.
The verbs 'is' in the first sentence, 'sit' in the second sentence, and 'provides' in the third sentence are all in the present tense.
This establishes that the passage is written from a present-tense perspective.
2
Analyze the underlined verb and determine if it matches this tense.
The verb 'shelved' is in the past tense, which represents an inconsistent tense shift in this context.
A passage must maintain a consistent tense unless there is a logical reason to shift time frames.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the plural present-tense form that agrees with the subject 'librarians'.
The form 'shelve' is the simple present tense and agrees with the plural subject.
Choosing 'shelve' restores grammatical consistency and parallel verb structure.

Key Concept

Shifts in Construction
Estimated Time:45s
Question 15Question

Read the passage below. To maintain consistency in verb tense and sentence structure, fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb 'inspect'.

Fill in the blanks below

In 1964, radio astronomers Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson set out to map signals from the Milky Way. Using a horn reflector antenna, they detected an unexplained, persistent buzz that they could not eliminate. To determine the source, the researchers first cleaned the antenna of nesting pigeons, and then they the system's electrical connections to rule out mechanical interference.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

inspected
The correct verb form is 'inspected' because the passage is written in the simple past tense, describing historical events from 1964. The final sentence coordinates two actions in a sequence: 'first cleaned... and then they [blank]'. To maintain parallel structure and avoid an illogical shift in verb tense, the second action must also be expressed in the simple past tense.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the verbs in the surrounding context to determine the timeframe and mood of the passage.
The passage uses past-tense verbs ('set out', 'detected', 'could', 'cleaned') to describe historical events that occurred in 1964.
Establishing a consistent timeframe is necessary to avoid incorrect shifts in verb tense.
2
Identify the structure of the target sentence containing the blank.
The sentence uses a coordinate structure with a correlative time-sequence: 'first cleaned... and then they [blank]'.
Parallel structure requires that verbs in a coordinated sequence of actions share the same grammatical form and tense.
3
Determine the correct form of the verb 'inspect' to maintain parallel past-tense construction.
The past-tense form of 'inspect' is 'inspected'.
Using 'inspected' maintains grammatical consistency with the past-tense verb 'cleaned' and prevents an illogical shift in construction.

Key Concept

Shifts in construction occur when a writer unnecessarily changes grammatical patterns, verb tenses, or voices within a sentence or passage. Maintaining parallel structure and consistent verb tense is essential for clear writing.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Question 16Question

Read the passage below. To maintain a consistent present-tense construction throughout the passage, fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb 'make'.

Fill in the blanks below

When amateur astronomers scan the night sky through a telescope, they look for familiar constellations and planets. If they see a shooting star, they often a wish before it disappears from sight.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

make
The correct answer is 'make' because the passage begins in the present tense with the verbs 'scan', 'look', and 'see'. To maintain a consistent present-tense construction and avoid an unnecessary shift in construction, the verb in the blank must also be in the present tense ('make') to agree with the plural subject 'they'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the tense of the verbs established in the surrounding context of the passage.
The verbs 'scan', 'look', 'see', and 'disappears' are all in the present tense.
Establishing the timeframe of the passage is necessary to maintain construction consistency.
2
Determine the subject of the clause containing the blank to ensure proper subject-verb agreement.
The subject is the plural pronoun 'they'.
The verb must agree with both the plural subject and the established present tense.
3
Select the correct form of the verb 'make' that satisfies both present tense and plural agreement.
The base form 'make' is present tense and plural, which fits the construction.
Forms like 'made' or 'will make' introduce unnecessary shifts in tense.

Key Concept

Maintaining consistent verb tense within a passage to avoid illogical shifts in construction.
Question 17Question

When studying memory consolidation during sleep, neuroscientists observe distinct patterns of brain activity. They monitor electroencephalogram (EEG) readings, analyze neurotransmitter levels, and interviews are conducted with participants after they wake to assess dream recall. This multi-layered approach helps researchers map how the brain processes daily experiences and converts them into long-term memories.

Which of the following options, if substituted for the underlined portion, best maintains consistent grammatical construction and voice in the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: conduct interviews with participants after they wake

Answer

The option that reads 'conduct interviews with participants after they wake' is correct because it uses the active verb 'conduct' to maintain the parallel structure and active voice of the other verbs in the series.
The correct option maintains grammatical consistency by using a present-tense, active-voice verb that is parallel to the other actions in the list. This keeps the subject consistently performing the actions rather than shifting the sentence focus to the passive voice.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the parallel structure in the sentence.
The sentence features a list of three actions performed by the subject 'They': 'monitor...', 'analyze...', and the underlined portion.
This establishes that the third action must match the grammatical pattern of the first two.
2
Determine the grammatical properties of the existing list items.
Both 'monitor' and 'analyze' are present-tense, active-voice verbs.
This sets the requirement for the third verb to also be present-tense and active-voice.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the match.
The phrase 'conduct interviews with participants after they wake' keeps the verb in the active present tense, maintaining parallel structure and avoiding shifts in construction.
It successfully aligns with the established structure without introducing passive voice or tense errors.

Key Concept

Shifts in Construction
Question 18Question

When learning to play the violin, students practice regularly to develop muscle memory. They learn how to hold the bow, position their fingers on the strings, and will read sheet music. Over time, these actions become second nature.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: read

Answer

The correct option is the one that replaces the underlined text with 'read'. This choice maintains grammatical parallelism and verb tense consistency within the sentence.
The correct choice maintains consistency in verb tense and sentence construction. The sentence lists three actions that students learn how to perform: 'hold the bow,' 'position their fingers,' and 'read sheet music.' Since 'hold' and 'position' are in the base present form following the infinitive marker 'to,' the final verb in the list must also be in the base present form ('read') to maintain parallel structure.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the verbs in the list to determine the established pattern.
The list contains the verbs 'hold' and 'position', which are both in the base present tense following 'learn how to'.
Recognizing the existing grammatical structure helps ensure the underlined portion maintains the same format.
2
Evaluate the underlined portion 'will read' for consistency.
The auxiliary verb 'will' shifts the construction to the future tense, breaking the parallelism with 'hold' and 'position'.
Identifying grammatical shifts is necessary to correct errors in sentence construction.
3
Select the option that matches the base present tense of 'hold' and 'position'.
The verb 'read' is in the base present tense and completes the list of parallel infinitive actions: 'learn how to hold... position... and read'.
Using 'read' maintains consistent construction and parallel structure throughout the sentence.

Key Concept

Maintaining parallel structure and avoiding shifts in construction within lists.
Question 19Question

Determine the form of the verb 'expand' that correctly completes the sentence without introducing an inconsistent shift in grammatical construction.

Fill in the blanks below

To revitalize the downtown area, the city council proposed a series of urban renewal projects. The committee recommended both renovating the historic facade of the theater and the interior seating capacity. By implementing these modernizations, the city hopes to attract larger touring productions and boost local tourism.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

expanding
The correct answer is the gerund form 'expanding'. The sentence uses the correlative conjunction 'both... and' to connect two actions. The first action is introduced by the gerund 'renovating' ('renovating the historic facade'). To maintain grammatical parallelism and avoid an unnecessary shift in construction, the second action must also use a gerund ('expanding the interior seating capacity').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the parallel structure established by the correlative conjunction 'both... and...'.
The first item in the parallel structure is the gerund phrase starting with the word 'renovating'.
Correlative conjunctions require the coordinated elements to share the same grammatical form to avoid a shift in construction.
2
Determine the required grammatical form for the second item in the coordinated structure.
The second item must also begin with a gerund (the '-ing' verb form acting as a noun).
Matching the gerund form 'renovating' with another gerund ensures grammatical consistency and parallelism.
3
Conjugate the verb 'expand' into its gerund form.
The gerund form of 'expand' is 'expanding'.
This form completes the coordinated phrase parallelly as 'both renovating... and expanding...'

Key Concept

Parallel Structure and Shifts in Construction
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 20Question

Read the sentence below. To maintain a consistent grammatical construction and avoid a shift in voice, which form of the verb 'analyze' should be used to fill in the blank?

Fill in the blanks below

The technician calibrated the sensors, ran the diagnostic software, and the final results.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

analyzed
To maintain a consistent construction, the final verb in the list must match the active voice and past tense of the preceding verbs 'calibrated' and 'ran.' The active, past-tense form of 'analyze' is 'analyzed.'

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the grammatical construction of the initial verbs in the list.
The verbs 'calibrated' and 'ran' are in the active voice and simple past tense.
This establishes the active, past-tense pattern that the rest of the list must follow to maintain a parallel construction.
2
Identify the shift in construction that occurs with incorrect verb forms.
Using the passive voice (such as 'were analyzed') or a different verb tense (such as 'analyzes') shifts the sentence construction unnecessarily.
Recognizing the shift helps rule out incorrect verb forms and ensures structural consistency.
3
Determine the correct form of the verb 'analyze' to complete the sequence.
The active, simple past-tense form 'analyzed' completes the sentence consistently.
This form maintains both active voice and past-tense agreement throughout the sentence.

Key Concept

Shifts in Construction (Voice and Tense Consistency)
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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