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Difficulty: EasyPronoun-Antecedent Agreement and Case

Although the giant corpse flower (*Amorphophallus titanum*) is famous for its massive size, the unique scent of the blossom remains its most notorious feature. Because ______ is produced by a complex mixture of sulfur-based chemical compounds that mimic organic decay, visitors to botanical gardens often compare the overwhelming odor to rotting meat.

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

  1. A
    they
  2. B
    its
  3. itAnswer
  4. D
    them

Answer

The singular subject pronoun 'it'
The singular subject pronoun 'it' correctly agrees in number with the singular antecedent 'scent' and properly serves as the subject of the verb phrase 'is produced'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the pronoun's antecedent in the sentence.
The antecedent is 'scent', which is singular.
A pronoun must agree in number with the noun it replaces.
2
Determine the grammatical case required for the blank.
The blank is the subject of the verb phrase 'is produced', so a subject pronoun is required.
Subject pronouns are used as the subject of a verb, whereas object or possessive pronouns serve other grammatical functions.
3
Select the pronoun that is both singular and in the subject case.
The singular subject pronoun 'it' fits both requirements.
Other choices are either plural ('they', 'them') or possessive ('its').

Key Concept

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement and Case
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement and Case

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