Both the manager and the assistant submitted _______ resignations on the same day.

2
reading

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

A

their

B

his

C

her

D

its

Correct Answer: A

Choice A is the best answer. This question tests pronoun-antecedent agreement with compound subjects.

  1. Context clues: "Both... and" joins two antecedents, making the antecedent plural.
  2. Meaning: Compound antecedents joined by "and" take plural pronouns.
  3. Verify: "Both the manager and the assistant submitted their resignations" uses plural pronoun correctly.

💡 Strategy: Compound antecedents joined by "and" require plural pronouns.

Choice B is incorrect because "his" is singular and gender-specific. Choice C is incorrect because "her" is singular and gender-specific. Choice D is incorrect because "its" refers to non-human entities.