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Difficulty: Very hardParallel Structure

The following passage is missing a word. Write a word in the blank that conforms to the conventions of Standard English parallel structure. Which word best completes the passage to maintain this structure?

Answer:In a recent study of deep-sea ecosystems, oceanographers observed that hydrothermal vent communities depend on chemosynthetic bacteria to convert toxic chemicals into usable energy. To survive in these extreme environments, endemic species rely on adapting to intense hydrostatic pressure, cultivating symbiotic relationships with the bacteria, and 【tolerating】 the high concentration of heavy metals in the surrounding water.

Answer

A gerund (a verb form ending in -ing, such as 'tolerating' or 'withstanding') that is parallel to the preceding gerunds 'adapting' and 'cultivating'.
The correct answer must be a gerund (a verb form ending in -ing, such as 'tolerating' or 'withstanding') because it is the third item in a parallel list of actions following the preposition 'on'. The first two items in the list, 'adapting' and 'cultivating', are gerunds, so the third item must also be a gerund to maintain parallel structure.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the sentence to identify the list of parallel elements.
The sentence lists three elements that species rely on: 'adapting...', 'cultivating...', and '{{blank_1}}...'.
Identifying the parallel elements allows us to determine the grammatical pattern that must be maintained.
2
Determine the grammatical form of the first two elements in the list.
The words 'adapting' and 'cultivating' are both gerunds (verb forms ending in -ing) acting as objects of the preposition 'on'.
The form of the initial elements determines the required form for the final element in a parallel series.
3
Apply the rule of parallel structure to the final element.
The blank must be filled with a gerund (a verb form ending in -ing).
All items in a list coordinated by 'and' must share the same grammatical structure to be parallel.
4
Select a semantically fitting verb in the gerund form.
Words like 'tolerating', 'withstanding', or 'enduring' fit the context of surviving heavy metal concentrations.
The chosen word must not only be grammatically parallel but also logically make sense in the context of the passage.

Key Concept

Parallel Structure
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Parallel Structure

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