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Question

Difficulty: EasySubject-Verb Agreement

Although most tropical orchids adapt to a wide variety of soil types, a rare species discovered in the cloud forests of Ecuador exhibits a highly specific survival mechanism. The unexpected coloration of the petals in these newly discovered orchids, which typically grow in highly acidic soil, ______ from a unique interaction between soil minerals and specialized pigments.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A
    arise
  2. B
    arising
  3. arisesAnswer
  4. D
    were arising

Answer

arises
The singular present-tense verb 'arises' is correct because it matches the singular subject 'coloration'. The modifying words and phrases between the subject and the verb do not affect the grammatical agreement.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Locate the subject of the verb in the blank.
The subject is 'coloration', which is singular.
The prepositional phrases 'of the petals' and 'in these newly discovered orchids', as well as the relative clause 'which typically grow in highly acidic soil', modify the subject 'coloration' but do not change its singular status.
2
Select the verb form that agrees in number with the singular subject and maintains tense consistency.
The correct verb is 'arises'.
The singular present-tense verb 'arises' matches the singular subject 'coloration' and aligns with the present-tense context of the passage.

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement
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Topics

Subject-Verb Agreement

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