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Difficulty: MediumConjunctions and Clause Structure

Complete the sentence below by inserting the appropriate subordinating conjunction that correctly introduces the negative purpose clause.

Answer:The presiding officer ordered the ballot boxes to be sealed immediately after voting ended 【lest】 unauthorized persons should tamper with the votes.

Answer

lest
The correct conjunction 'lest' introduces an adverbial clause of negative purpose (meaning 'for fear that' or 'in order that... not'). It grammatically aligns with the modal auxiliary 'should' in the subordinate clause to express a preventative precaution.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the relationship between the main clause and the subordinate clause.
The main clause describes a preventative action ('ordered the ballot boxes to be sealed'), while the subordinate clause states the undesirable possibility to be avoided ('unauthorized persons should tamper with the votes').
This establishes a relationship of negative purpose ('in order to prevent' or 'for fear that').
2
Identify the conjunction that expresses negative purpose and governs the modal auxiliary 'should'.
The subordinating conjunction 'lest' specifically introduces a clause expressing negative purpose and conventionally pairs with 'should' or an bare subjunctive verb.
'Lest' means 'to avoid the risk that' or 'in order that... not'.

Key Concept

Subordinating Conjunctions of Negative Purpose ('Lest')
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Topics

Conjunctions and Clause Structure

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