Set 10: Boundaries (Advanced)
Explanation
PASSAGE
Three quarters of the building _______ damaged in the earthquake.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Detailed Answer Explanation
This question tests your understanding of sentence boundaries and punctuation. 'The building' is singular. Even though 'three quarters' is plural, the verb agrees with 'building.' Use singular 'was.' To determine the correct answer, examine where complete thoughts begin and end. Look for independent clauses that need proper separation. A period, semicolon, or appropriate conjunction can correctly join or separate these ideas. When analyzing sentence boundaries, pay attention to how ideas flow from one sentence to the next. Correct punctuation ensures clarity and prevents confusion for readers. Review the options carefully to identify which choice creates proper sentence structure.
Key Evidence:
• "building (singular)"
• "fraction of singular noun"
Why others are wrong: C ('Were' is plural; 'building' is singular.), B ('Have been' is plural.), D ('Are' is plural and present tense.).
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