7

Set 12: Boundaries (Advanced)

Explanation

Answer: B

PASSAGE

Everyone in the office _______ looking forward to the holiday party next week.

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

A. have been
B. is✓ Correct
C. are
D. were

Detailed Answer Explanation

This question tests your understanding of sentence boundaries and punctuation. 'Everyone' is an indefinite pronoun that is always singular. Use singular 'is.' 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:

• "Everyone (singular indefinite pronoun)"

Why others are wrong: A ('Have been' is plural.), C ('Are' is plural; doesn't match singular 'everyone.'), D ('Were' is plural and past tense.).

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