Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement and Case

32 questions

Question 1Question

Although many astronomers anticipated that the recently discovered binary system would yield breakthroughs in stellar evolution, neither of the two candidate stars observed by the astrophysics team in the Perseus arm of the Milky Way has exhibited the expected variations in spectral intensity that would confirm ______ classification as a yellow hypergiant.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: its

Answer

its
The correct option is the singular possessive pronoun 'its', which properly agrees in number with the singular indefinite pronoun antecedent 'neither' and correctly indicates possession without an apostrophe.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the antecedent of the pronoun needed for the blank.
The antecedent is the indefinite pronoun 'neither'.
The prepositional phrase 'of the two candidate stars...' acts as an intervening modifier, but the subject and antecedent remains the singular pronoun 'neither'.
2
Determine the grammatical number and case of the antecedent.
The indefinite pronoun 'neither' is singular and requires a singular possessive pronoun to modify the noun 'classification'.
In standard English, 'neither' is singular, and the relationship to 'classification' is possessive.
3
Select the choice that matches these grammatical requirements.
The pronoun 'its' is singular and possessive, which matches both the singular number of 'neither' and the possessive context.
Other choices are either plural ('their', 'they're') or contractions ('it's', 'they're') rather than possessive pronouns.

Key Concept

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement in Number
Question 2Question

In 2024, a specialized commission of international environmental lawyers and policy experts convened to draft a legally binding treaty aimed at reducing global carbon emissions. Although this prominent group initially faced intense skepticism from industrial representatives who questioned the feasibility of the new regulations, _______ final report was highly praised by the UN delegation for its scientific rigor.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: its

Answer

its
The singular possessive pronoun 'its' is correct because it agrees in number with the singular collective noun antecedent 'group' and properly modifies 'final report' to show possession.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the antecedent that the pronoun in the blank must replace or refer to.
The pronoun refers to the noun phrase 'this prominent group' (which stands for 'commission'). This is a singular collective noun.
Establishing the correct antecedent determines the singular or plural number of the pronoun.
2
Determine the grammatical function and case of the pronoun in the sentence.
The pronoun precedes the noun phrase 'final report' and must indicate ownership, meaning a possessive case pronoun is required.
The sentence structure dictates the case of the pronoun needed to modify the noun.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the singular possessive pronoun.
'its' is singular and possessive, agreeing with 'group' and correctly modifying 'final report.'
Selecting the option that matches both the required number and case completes the sentence grammatically.

Key Concept

Pronoun-antecedent agreement requires a pronoun to match its antecedent in both number (singular or plural) and gender. Singular collective nouns (such as 'group' or 'commission') take singular pronouns, even when followed by intervening plural nouns (like 'lawyers' or 'experts') in prepositional phrases. Additionally, writers must distinguish possessive pronouns like 'its' from contractions like 'it's'.
Question 3Question

Under the leadership of the new director, the council of local organic farmers and food distributors, which recently convened to draft guidelines for the regional farmers' market, has decided that ______ will implement a strict zero-waste policy starting next season.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: it

Answer

The singular pronoun 'it' is correct because it maintains pronoun-antecedent agreement with the singular collective noun antecedent 'council.'
The pronoun must refer back to the singular collective noun 'council.' Therefore, the singular subject pronoun 'it' correctly maintains pronoun-antecedent agreement in number. The intervening plural nouns in the prepositional phrase and the relative clause do not alter the grammatical number of the main subject.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the antecedent of the pronoun to be filled in the blank.
The antecedent is the noun phrase headed by 'council.'
The pronoun must refer back to this noun phrase to complete the meaning of the sentence.
2
Determine the grammatical number of the antecedent.
'Council' is a singular collective noun.
Although followed by the plural nouns 'farmers' and 'distributors' in a prepositional phrase, the core subject remains singular.
3
Identify the grammatical role of the blank in its clause.
The blank functions as the subject of the verb 'will implement.'
This determines that a subject case pronoun is required.
4
Select the option that is both singular and in the subject case.
The pronoun 'it' is selected.
'It' is a singular subject pronoun, which correctly matches the antecedent 'council' and functions as the subject of the clause.

Key Concept

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement and Case
Question 4Question

A central federation of independent artisan cooperatives and small-scale manufacturing groups, which was established to promote sustainable trade practices across the region, has announced plans to digitize ______ inventory management systems. By transitioning to a cloud-based platform, the organization hopes to reduce administrative errors and streamline supply chains for all member workshops.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: its

Answer

The singular possessive pronoun 'its' correctly refers to the singular collective noun 'federation' and modifies the noun phrase 'inventory management systems'.
The singular possessive pronoun 'its' is correct because it matches the singular collective noun 'federation' (the antecedent of the sentence) and shows possession over 'inventory management systems'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the antecedent that the pronoun in the blank refers to.
The antecedent is the noun phrase 'A central federation'.
The sentence describes the plans of the federation to digitize systems, despite the intervening details about cooperatives and groups.
2
Determine the grammatical number and gender of the antecedent 'federation'.
The noun 'federation' is a singular collective noun representing a single organization, and it is neuter (non-human).
Collective nouns representing single organizations are treated as singular in Standard English.
3
Determine the required grammatical case and role of the pronoun.
A possessive pronoun is required.
The pronoun modifies 'inventory management systems', indicating ownership or relationship.
4
Select the pronoun that matches the singular number, neuter gender, and possessive case.
The correct pronoun is 'its'.
'its' is singular and possessive, whereas 'their' is plural, and 'it's' and 'they're' are contractions.

Key Concept

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement and Case
Question 5Question

Although the behavior of an individual slime mold cell is relatively simple, a dispersed colony of these single-celled organisms, when searching for nutrient sources in dense forest undergrowth, displays a highly sophisticated collective intelligence that effectively allows _______ to navigate complex spatial obstacles and find the shortest path to food without any central leader.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: it

Answer

The pronoun 'it' is correct because it agrees in number with the singular collective noun antecedent 'colony' and fits the objective case requirement.
The pronoun refers to the singular collective noun 'colony,' which is the antecedent. Although the plural noun 'organisms' is closer to the blank, it is part of the prepositional phrase 'of these single-celled organisms' modifying the main subject. Therefore, the singular pronoun 'it' is required to agree in number with the singular antecedent 'colony.' Additionally, 'it' is in the objective case, which correctly functions as the object of the verb 'allows.'

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the antecedent of the pronoun that needs to fill the blank.
The antecedent is the singular collective noun 'colony' (specifically 'a dispersed colony of these single-celled organisms').
Identifying the antecedent determines the required grammatical number (singular or plural) of the pronoun.
2
Identify and ignore intervening phrases that might distract from the true antecedent.
The prepositional phrase 'of these single-celled organisms' contains a plural noun, and the adverbial clause 'when searching for nutrient sources in dense forest undergrowth' is also intervening, but the main subject and true antecedent remains the singular noun 'colony.'
Intervening elements often contain plural nouns that can trick the reader into using a plural pronoun.
3
Determine the required grammatical case of the pronoun based on its role in the sentence.
The pronoun acts as the object of the verb 'allows,' which requires an objective case pronoun.
The pronoun must function correctly within the sentence structure (subject vs. object).
4
Evaluate the choices to find the singular objective pronoun.
Only 'it' is singular and in the objective case. The other options are either plural or possessive.
Selecting 'it' ensures grammatical correctness under Standard English conventions.

Key Concept

Pronoun-antecedent agreement in number requires a pronoun to match its antecedent's grammatical number, even when separated by intervening modifying phrases or clauses.
Question 6Question

Although neither of the newly discovered deep-sea hydrothermal vents in the Mariana Trench has been fully mapped by marine geologists, ______ unique chemical composition has already provided researchers with invaluable insights into the ecological limits of microbial life on Earth. These findings could help astrobiologists understand potential habitability on icy moons.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: its

Answer

its
The correct pronoun is 'its' because it is a singular possessive pronoun that agrees in number with the singular indefinite pronoun 'neither', which acts as the antecedent. The plural noun 'vents' is part of an intervening prepositional phrase and does not determine the number of the pronoun.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the antecedent of the pronoun to be placed in the blank.
The antecedent is the singular indefinite pronoun 'neither'.
The pronoun must agree in number with its true grammatical antecedent.
2
Identify and eliminate intervening words or phrases.
The plural prepositional phrase 'of the newly discovered deep-sea hydrothermal vents in the Mariana Trench' is an intervening element that does not affect the number of the antecedent.
This prevents the common error of matching the pronoun to a nearby plural noun instead of the subject.
3
Select the grammatically correct pronoun.
The singular possessive pronoun 'its' matches the singular antecedent 'neither' and correctly functions as a determiner for 'unique chemical composition'.
This satisfies both pronoun-antecedent agreement and case requirements.

Key Concept

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement and Case
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 7Question

In many forest ecosystems, the complex symbiotic network of subterranean mycorrhizal fungi and tree roots facilitates the rapid exchange of carbon and nutrients across vast distances. However, a single thread of these fungal filaments, which can extend through meters of soil to connect distant saplings to the main grid, often remains isolated from ______ surrounding web.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: its

Answer

its
The correct answer is the singular possessive determiner 'its'. The pronoun must agree in number with its antecedent, the singular noun 'thread' (from the phrase 'a single thread of these fungal filaments'). Additionally, because the pronoun modifies the noun phrase 'surrounding web', the possessive case 'its' is required.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the antecedent of the pronoun needed in the blank.
The antecedent is the singular noun 'thread' from the subject noun phrase 'a single thread of these fungal filaments'.
The sentence states that a single thread remains isolated from the surrounding web, so the pronoun must refer back to 'thread'.
2
Determine the required grammatical case for the pronoun.
A possessive determiner is required to modify the noun phrase 'surrounding web'.
The blank directly precedes and modifies the noun phrase 'surrounding web', indicating ownership or association.
3
Select the pronoun that matches both the singular number of the antecedent and the possessive case requirement.
The singular possessive determiner 'its' is the correct choice.
It correctly agrees with the singular, gender-neutral antecedent 'thread' and functions as a possessive determiner.

Key Concept

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement and Case
Question 8Question

While botanical expeditions in Borneo have revealed that each of the newly cataloged species of carnivorous pitcher plants displays highly specialized physical adaptations to capture prey, ______ long-term survival in the nutrient-poor soil of the tropical rainforest remains dependent on a delicate symbiotic relationship with mutualistic ants.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: its

Answer

The singular possessive pronoun 'its' correctly refers to the singular antecedent 'each'.
The singular possessive pronoun 'its' correctly agrees with the singular antecedent 'each'. In standard English, indefinite pronouns such as 'each' are grammatically singular, and their grammatical number is not affected by intervening plural prepositional phrases like 'of the newly cataloged species of carnivorous pitcher plants'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Locate the antecedent of the pronoun needed for the blank.
The antecedent is the singular indefinite pronoun 'each' at the start of the clause.
Pronouns must match the grammatical number of their antecedents.
2
Analyze the role of intervening phrases to avoid agreement errors.
The plural nouns 'species' and 'plants' are objects of prepositional phrases and do not change the singular nature of the subject 'each'.
Intervening prepositional phrases should not affect the pronoun-antecedent agreement.
3
Identify the required case and form for the blank.
The blank modifies the noun 'survival', indicating a singular possessive pronoun is required.
The singular possessive pronoun 'its' is the only form that is grammatically correct and matches the singular antecedent.

Key Concept

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement and Case
Question 9Question

Although the compilation of anonymous sixteenth-century ballads contains several verses celebrating the deeds of folk heroes, each of the poems in the collection, when analyzed closely for stylistic consistency, reveals ______ reliance on a single, highly skilled author rather than a succession of oral storytellers.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: its

Answer

The pronoun 'its'
The singular possessive pronoun 'its' correctly matches the grammatical number of its antecedent, the singular indefinite pronoun 'each'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the grammatical antecedent of the pronoun needed in the blank.
The antecedent is the singular indefinite pronoun 'each' (the head of the subject phrase 'each of the poems in the collection').
The pronoun must agree in number with its true antecedent rather than any intervening nouns in prepositional phrases.
2
Determine the case and function of the pronoun required in the sentence.
The blank modifies the noun 'reliance', indicating a possessive pronoun is required.
A possessive pronoun is needed to show whose reliance is being discussed.
3
Select the option that is singular, possessive, and grammatically correct.
The singular possessive pronoun is 'its'.
'its' matches the singular antecedent 'each' and functions correctly as a possessive modifier.

Key Concept

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement and Case

Alternative Method

Locate the main verb of the clause, 'reveals', which is singular. The subject must agree in number with the verb, confirming that the singular indefinite pronoun 'each' is the subject. Therefore, the pronoun that refers back to 'each' must also be singular.
Estimated Time:1m 15s
Question 10Question

Although the newly established consortium of independent software developers has faced numerous technical challenges and scheduling delays during the initial phases of creating the open-source operating system, the group has reassured its financial investors that ______ will deliver the completed software by the revised deadline. By consolidating resources and streamlining the software testing process, the organization hopes to establish itself as a leader in the industry.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: it

Answer

The singular pronoun 'it'
The singular pronoun 'it' correctly agrees in number with the singular collective noun 'group,' which is the antecedent. Furthermore, 'it' is in the subject case, which is required to function as the subject of the verb phrase 'will deliver.'

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the antecedent of the pronoun needed for the blank.
The antecedent is the collective noun 'group.'
The pronoun in the blank must refer back to this noun to indicate who will deliver the completed software.
2
Determine the grammatical number of the antecedent.
The collective noun 'group' is singular.
Collective nouns representing a single unified entity are treated as singular in Standard English.
3
Select the correct pronoun case and number to fill the blank.
The singular subject pronoun 'it' is the correct choice.
It agrees in number with the singular antecedent 'group' and correctly functions as the subject of the verb 'will deliver.'

Key Concept

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement in Number
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 11Question

In the late nineteenth century, a prominent coalition of independent labor unions and social reform groups in Chicago campaigned tirelessly for improved working conditions in manufacturing plants. Despite facing significant opposition from influential industrial leaders and local politicians, ______ eventually succeeded in securing the passage of the landmark eight-hour workday law of 1893.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: it

Answer

it
The singular pronoun 'it' correctly agrees in number with the singular collective noun antecedent 'coalition'. Although there are plural nouns ('unions', 'groups') in the intervening prepositional phrase, the head of the noun phrase is the singular 'coalition', which requires a singular pronoun.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the antecedent of the pronoun needed in the blank.
The antecedent is 'coalition', which is a singular collective noun.
Determining the correct antecedent is necessary to ensure proper pronoun-antecedent agreement in number and gender.
2
Analyze the intervening elements to avoid distraction.
The prepositional phrase 'of independent labor unions and social reform groups in Chicago' contains plural nouns but does not change the singular nature of the subject 'coalition'.
Students often make agreement errors by matching the pronoun to the nearest plural noun in intervening phrases.
3
Determine the correct case and number of the pronoun.
The blank acts as the subject of the verb 'succeeded', so a singular subject pronoun ('it') is required.
The pronoun must match the singular number of the antecedent 'coalition' and be in the subjective case to act as the subject of the clause.

Key Concept

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement (Number and Case)
Question 12Question

A recent investigation into the subglacial lakes of Antarctica revealed that a unique community of extremophilic bacteria thrives in complete darkness, obtaining ______ energy from chemical compounds dissolved in the water.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: its

Answer

its
The singular possessive pronoun 'its' correctly refers to the singular collective noun antecedent 'community'. The intervening plural prepositional phrase 'of extremophilic bacteria' does not change the singular nature of the main antecedent.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the antecedent of the pronoun needed in the blank.
The noun phrase serving as the antecedent is 'a unique community of extremophilic bacteria'. The head of this phrase is the singular collective noun 'community'.
Determining the grammatical number of the antecedent is necessary to choose a pronoun that agrees with it.
2
Determine the correct case and grammatical category for the pronoun.
Since the pronoun modifies the noun 'energy', it must be possessive. Since the antecedent 'community' is singular, the pronoun must be singular possessive ('its').
Pronouns must agree in number (singular vs. plural) and case (possessive vs. subject/object) with their antecedents.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the singular possessive pronoun.
The word 'its' is the singular possessive pronoun. The word 'their' is plural, and the options 'it's' and 'they're' are contractions rather than possessives.
Eliminating grammatically incorrect options leaves the correct answer.

Key Concept

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement and Case
Question 13Question

During the excavation of the ancient Roman villa at Oplontis, a dedicated team of field archaeologists uncovered a complex network of frescoed corridors. In the report, the researchers noted that each of the mural panels, despite showing significant water damage from centuries of subterranean exposure, had retained much of _______ original pigment.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: its

Answer

its
The singular possessive pronoun 'its' is correct because it agrees in number with the singular indefinite pronoun antecedent 'each.' The intervening prepositional phrase 'of the mural panels' and the parenthetical element 'despite showing significant water damage...' do not change the number of the subject 'each,' which remains singular.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the antecedent of the pronoun to be filled in.
The antecedent is the singular indefinite pronoun 'each' in the phrase 'each of the mural panels.'
Pronouns must agree in number with their antecedents. Intervening phrases like 'of the mural panels' do not affect the grammatical number of the subject.
2
Determine the required pronoun case.
The pronoun modifies the noun phrase 'original pigment,' indicating possession, so a possessive pronoun is required.
The sentence describes the pigment belonging to the panels (referred to as 'each'), necessitating the possessive case.
3
Select the option that is both singular and possessive.
The pronoun 'its' is the singular possessive form.
'its' matches the singular antecedent 'each' and correctly denotes possession without using an apostrophe.

Key Concept

Pronoun-antecedent agreement requires pronouns to match their antecedents in number (singular vs. plural). Indefinite pronouns like 'each' are grammatically singular, even when followed by a plural prepositional modifier like 'of the panels.' Additionally, possessive pronouns do not use apostrophes.
Question 14Question

Although the newly formed committee of environmental advocates has proposed several ambitious initiatives to reduce urban carbon emissions, _______ must still secure the substantial funding required for implementation. The group's primary goal is to install energy-efficient solar panels on municipal buildings throughout the city, but without additional financial backing from local businesses, these plans cannot move forward.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: it

Answer

The correct pronoun is 'it' because it agrees in number with the singular collective noun 'committee.'
The pronoun 'it' is correct because the antecedent is the singular collective noun 'committee.' Since the committee acts as a single unit in proposing and securing funding, it requires a singular pronoun. Additionally, because the pronoun functions as the subject of the verb phrase 'must still secure,' the subject pronoun 'it' is the correct case.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the antecedent of the pronoun to be placed in the blank.
The antecedent is the collective noun 'committee.'
Determining the correct antecedent is necessary to establish pronoun-antecedent agreement.
2
Determine the grammatical number (singular or plural) of the antecedent.
The noun 'committee' is a singular collective noun that functions as a single unit here, as confirmed by the singular verb 'has proposed' in the preceding clause.
The pronoun must agree in number with the antecedent, ignoring the intervening plural noun 'advocates' in the prepositional phrase 'of environmental advocates.'
3
Identify the grammatical case required by the pronoun's function in the clause.
The pronoun functions as the subject of the verb phrase 'must still secure,' meaning a subject-case pronoun is required.
Choosing the correct pronoun requires matching both number and case constraints.
4
Select the option that is singular and in the subject case.
The pronoun 'it' meets these criteria.
The pronoun 'it' is singular and fits the subject position of the clause.

Key Concept

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement in Number
Estimated Time:45s
Question 15Question

Although a colony of leafcutter ants can consist of millions of individual workers, _______ functions as a superorganism, coordinating complex foraging routes to harvest vegetation.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: it

Answer

The singular subject pronoun 'it' correctly completes the sentence by agreeing in number with the singular antecedent 'colony' and serving as the subject of the clause.
The correct option is the singular subject pronoun 'it'. The pronoun refers back to the singular collective noun 'colony', not the plural nouns 'ants' or 'workers' within the prepositional phrases. Therefore, a singular pronoun is required. Additionally, because the pronoun serves as the subject of the verb 'functions', it must be in the subject case rather than the possessive case.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the antecedent of the blank space.
The antecedent is the singular noun phrase 'a colony of leafcutter ants,' where the main noun is the singular collective noun 'colony.'
Finding the noun being replaced by the pronoun determines whether the pronoun must be singular or plural.
2
Determine the grammatical function of the pronoun in the clause.
The pronoun precedes the verb 'functions' and acts as the subject of the independent clause.
Knowing the function of the pronoun helps identify the correct case (subject vs. object or possessive).
3
Select the pronoun that matches both the singular number of the antecedent and the subject case.
The singular subject pronoun 'it' fits both requirements, while plural options like 'they' and 'their' or possessive options like 'its' do not.
Standard English conventions require agreement in both number and grammatical case.

Key Concept

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement and Case
Question 16Question

Although the local association of independent organic farmers received numerous complaints from consumers about the delayed distribution of agricultural goods during the winter harvest, the organization refused to alter _______ established policy of direct-to-consumer sales. The board of directors argued that maintaining this business model was essential for preserving the financial independence of the small-scale farms involved.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: its

Answer

The singular possessive pronoun 'its' correctly agrees in number with the singular antecedent 'organization'.
The singular possessive pronoun 'its' correctly refers to the singular collective noun antecedent 'organization'. Since the noun is singular and acts as a possessive modifier for 'established policy', the singular possessive form without an apostrophe is correct.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the pronoun's antecedent in the sentence.
The antecedent is the singular noun 'organization' (which refers back to the 'association').
A pronoun must agree in number with the noun it replaces or refers to.
2
Determine the grammatical role and case of the required pronoun.
The blank precedes the noun phrase 'established policy', indicating a need for a possessive pronoun.
A possessive pronoun is required to show ownership of the policy.
3
Select the grammatically correct singular possessive pronoun.
The word 'its' is the correct singular possessive pronoun.
It agrees in number with 'organization' and is spelled correctly without an apostrophe.

Key Concept

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement and Case
Question 17Question

In 2024, a local coalition of historical preservationists in Philadelphia began a comprehensive project to restore several neglected structures from the colonial era. Although the diverse coalition of architects, historians, and community organizers has encountered numerous logistical obstacles, _______ remains determined to complete the restoration before the city's upcoming semiquincentennial celebration.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: it

Answer

it
The singular pronoun 'it' correctly agrees in number with the singular collective noun 'coalition', which serves as the antecedent. Additionally, 'it' is in the subjective case, fitting as the subject of the verb 'remains'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the antecedent of the pronoun needed in the blank.
The antecedent is 'the diverse coalition', which is a singular collective noun.
The pronoun must agree in number and gender with its antecedent.
2
Determine the grammatical function of the pronoun in the subordinate clause.
The pronoun serves as the subject of the singular verb 'remains'.
The pronoun must be in the subjective case rather than the objective case.
3
Select the option that is both singular and in the subjective case.
The singular subjective pronoun 'it' is the correct choice.
This establishes proper pronoun-antecedent agreement and correct pronoun case.

Key Concept

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement and Case
Question 18Question

Although the conservation task force for the protection of the endangered Mariana fruit bat faced significant logistical hurdles during the rainy season, _______ successfully monitored the nesting patterns of several colonies. The data collected during this period will help researchers design more effective habitat restoration strategies.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: it

Answer

The singular pronoun 'it' is the correct choice because it agrees in number with the singular collective noun antecedent 'task force' and serves as the subject of the verb 'successfully monitored.'
The pronoun must refer to the singular collective noun antecedent 'task force.' The singular pronoun 'it' correctly maintains agreement in number and functions as the subject of the clause.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the antecedent of the missing pronoun.
The antecedent is the singular collective noun 'task force,' which is separated from the blank by the prepositional phrase 'for the protection of the endangered Mariana fruit bat.'
Determining the correct antecedent is necessary to establish pronoun-antecedent agreement in number.
2
Determine the required grammatical case for the pronoun.
The pronoun functions as the subject of the verb phrase 'successfully monitored,' indicating that subject case is required.
The case of the pronoun must match its grammatical role in the clause.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the singular subject pronoun.
The singular subject pronoun is 'it,' whereas 'they,' 'them,' and 'those' are plural.
Only a singular pronoun in the subject case can grammatically complete the sentence.

Key Concept

Pronoun-antecedent agreement requires a pronoun to match its antecedent in both number (singular or plural) and gender. When intervening prepositional phrases separate the antecedent from the pronoun, the correct singular or plural subject must still be identified.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 19Question

Established in the late nineteenth century, the museum, which houses one of the largest collections of avian specimens in North America, recently completed the restoration of _______ historical library. This newly renovated space now offers visiting scholars unprecedented access to rare field guides, hand-colored illustrations, and original correspondence from early ornithologists.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: its

Answer

The singular possessive pronoun 'its' correctly completes the sentence by agreeing with the singular antecedent 'the museum'.
The singular possessive pronoun 'its' correctly agrees in number with the singular antecedent 'the museum'. The intervening nonessential relative clause contains plural nouns like 'collections' and 'specimens', but the pronoun must agree with the main subject of the clause, which is singular.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the antecedent of the blank pronoun by analyzing the sentence structure.
The main subject and antecedent is the singular noun phrase 'the museum'.
The relative clause 'which houses one of the largest collections of avian specimens in North America' is nonessential and contains plural nouns that do not act as the true antecedent.
2
Determine the grammatical role and case required for the blank.
The blank precedes the noun phrase 'historical library', requiring a possessive pronoun.
The sentence describes the library belonging to the museum, so a possessive form is necessary.
3
Select the singular possessive pronoun that correctly matches the antecedent.
The correct choice is 'its'.
The pronoun 'its' is the correct singular possessive form, while other options are either plural, contractions, or spelling errors.

Key Concept

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement in Number

Alternative Method

To easily identify the correct pronoun, temporarily remove the intervening relative clause: 'the museum... recently completed the restoration of [its/their] historical library.' This highlights that the singular pronoun 'its' is required to refer back to the singular noun 'museum'.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 20Question

Although the panel of independent judges, which was appointed to evaluate the submissions for the annual architectural competition, initially requested more time, _______ completed the deliberations ahead of schedule.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: it

Answer

it
The correct option is 'it'. The pronoun refers back to 'the panel of independent judges.' In Standard English, 'panel' is a singular collective noun. An intervening relative clause ('which was appointed...') does not change the singular nature of the antecedent. Thus, the singular subject pronoun 'it' is correct to act as the subject of the verb 'completed.'

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the antecedent of the pronoun to be placed in the blank.
The antecedent is the noun phrase 'the panel of independent judges.'
The pronoun must agree in number and case with its antecedent.
2
Determine the grammatical number of the antecedent.
The noun 'panel' is a singular collective noun, even though it contains the prepositional phrase 'of independent judges.'
Prepositional phrases intervening between the subject/antecedent and the pronoun do not change the number of the noun.
3
Determine the grammatical case required by the sentence structure.
The blank serves as the subject of the verb phrase 'completed the deliberations,' so a subject case pronoun is required.
The pronoun is performing the action in the dependent clause.
4
Select the option that is singular and in the subject case.
The pronoun 'it' is singular and in the subject case, matching the singular antecedent 'panel.'
This maintains pronoun-antecedent agreement in number and case.

Key Concept

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement with Collective Nouns
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Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement and Case Practice Questions — SAT | Examkin