The jury deliberated for hours before reaching _______ verdict on the controversial case.
1
readingWhich choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A
their
B
its
C
his
D
our
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the best answer. This question tests pronoun-antecedent agreement with collective nouns.
- Context clues: "Jury" is a collective noun acting as a single unit (reaching one verdict).
- Meaning: When a collective noun acts as one entity, use a singular pronoun.
- Verify: "The jury... reaching its verdict" treats the jury as a unified body.
💡 Strategy: Collective nouns take singular pronouns when acting as a unit, plural when members act individually.
Choice A is incorrect because "their" is plural, but the jury acts as one unit here. Choice C is incorrect because "his" refers only to males and is inappropriate. Choice D is incorrect because "our" shifts to first person.