Which of the following is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 3 (reproduced below)? Agricultural activities can disrupt animal's natural habitats.
- A. (as it is now)
- B. animal's natural habitat's.
- C. animals' natural habitats.
- D. animals natural habitats
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C, "animals' natural habitats," is the best choice because it correctly uses the plural possessive form. Since multiple animals are affected, the apostrophe is placed after "animals" to indicate that the habitats belong to them. Option A retains the original error of using the singular possessive "animal's," which is incorrect when referring to multiple animals. Option B incorrectly adds an unnecessary apostrophe after "habitat," suggesting possession that does not apply here, leading to confusion. Option D lacks the necessary apostrophe to indicate possession, making it grammatically incorrect.
Option C, "animals' natural habitats," is the best choice because it correctly uses the plural possessive form. Since multiple animals are affected, the apostrophe is placed after "animals" to indicate that the habitats belong to them. Option A retains the original error of using the singular possessive "animal's," which is incorrect when referring to multiple animals. Option B incorrectly adds an unnecessary apostrophe after "habitat," suggesting possession that does not apply here, leading to confusion. Option D lacks the necessary apostrophe to indicate possession, making it grammatically incorrect.
Other Related Questions
In context, which of the following sentences would most effectively be placed immediately after sentence 10 (reproduced below)? Eventually my stubbornness paid off.
- A. Stubbornness seems to run in my family, since my brother is just as stubborn as I am.
- B. Stubborn people can achieve much success and satisfaction.
- C. I still like to juggle, even though I am no better at it now than I was in grade school.
- D. I became a pretty competent juggler and am now almost as skilled as my brother.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Option D seamlessly follows the statement about stubbornness, directly linking the trait to a tangible outcome: becoming a competent juggler. This connection emphasizes the payoff of stubbornness, reinforcing the idea that persistence leads to success. Option A, while mentioning family stubbornness, diverges from the personal achievement theme and lacks direct relevance to the juggling context. Option B generalizes about stubbornness without connecting to the narrator's specific experience. Option C shifts focus to juggling skills without addressing the outcome of stubbornness, making it less effective in this context.
Option D seamlessly follows the statement about stubbornness, directly linking the trait to a tangible outcome: becoming a competent juggler. This connection emphasizes the payoff of stubbornness, reinforcing the idea that persistence leads to success. Option A, while mentioning family stubbornness, diverges from the personal achievement theme and lacks direct relevance to the juggling context. Option B generalizes about stubbornness without connecting to the narrator's specific experience. Option C shifts focus to juggling skills without addressing the outcome of stubbornness, making it less effective in this context.
Which of the following is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 6 (reproduced below)? Some researchers have cited this evidence as it made an argument that MSA hunters were less skilled than LSA hunters.
- A. (as it is now)
- B. evidence and were making
- C. evidence, having made
- D. evidence to make
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Option D clarifies the relationship between the evidence and the argument, indicating that the evidence was used to support the claim about MSA hunters. This creates a clear and logical connection. Option A retains the original phrasing, which is vague and awkward, failing to effectively convey the intended meaning. Option B uses "and were making," which introduces unnecessary complexity and shifts the focus away from the evidence itself. Option C's "having made" implies a completed action that does not align with the ongoing nature of the argument being presented.
Option D clarifies the relationship between the evidence and the argument, indicating that the evidence was used to support the claim about MSA hunters. This creates a clear and logical connection. Option A retains the original phrasing, which is vague and awkward, failing to effectively convey the intended meaning. Option B uses "and were making," which introduces unnecessary complexity and shifts the focus away from the evidence itself. Option C's "having made" implies a completed action that does not align with the ongoing nature of the argument being presented.
The retired government official spoke _______ about foreign policy and international trade
- A. as knowing
- B. in knowledge
- C. knowledgeably
- D. knowledgeable
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The sentence requires an adverb to describe how the retired government official spoke. Option C, "knowledgeably," correctly functions as an adverb, indicating that the official spoke with knowledge about foreign policy and international trade. Option A, "as knowing," is grammatically incorrect and does not convey the intended meaning. Option B, "in knowledge," is awkward and does not fit the context of how someone speaks. Option D, "knowledgeable," is an adjective and would not appropriately modify the verb "spoke." Thus, C is the only option that fits both grammatically and contextually.
The sentence requires an adverb to describe how the retired government official spoke. Option C, "knowledgeably," correctly functions as an adverb, indicating that the official spoke with knowledge about foreign policy and international trade. Option A, "as knowing," is grammatically incorrect and does not convey the intended meaning. Option B, "in knowledge," is awkward and does not fit the context of how someone speaks. Option D, "knowledgeable," is an adjective and would not appropriately modify the verb "spoke." Thus, C is the only option that fits both grammatically and contextually.
In context, which would be the most effective way to revise and combine sentences 3 and 4 (reproduced below)? He taught himself to juggle. He could juggle three balls perfectly by the age of six.
- A. to juggle and by the age of six could juggle three balls perfectly.
- B. to juggle: he juggles three balls perfectly by the age of six.
- C. to juggle three balls perfectly; they did it by the age of six.
- D. juggling, and they juggled three balls perfectly by the age of six.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A effectively combines the two sentences by maintaining clarity and coherence. It emphasizes the subject's self-taught skill and seamlessly links the action of juggling with the achievement of juggling three balls perfectly by age six. Option B introduces a confusing shift in tense and subject, making it less clear who is performing the action. Option C inaccurately uses "they," which introduces ambiguity about the subject and detracts from the focus on the individual. Option D also employs "they," leading to confusion, and the structure fails to convey the timeline of learning and achievement clearly.
Option A effectively combines the two sentences by maintaining clarity and coherence. It emphasizes the subject's self-taught skill and seamlessly links the action of juggling with the achievement of juggling three balls perfectly by age six. Option B introduces a confusing shift in tense and subject, making it less clear who is performing the action. Option C inaccurately uses "they," which introduces ambiguity about the subject and detracts from the focus on the individual. Option D also employs "they," leading to confusion, and the structure fails to convey the timeline of learning and achievement clearly.