Set 14: Boundaries (Intermediate)
Explanation
PASSAGE
The data suggest that consumers _______ becoming more environmentally conscious in their purchasing decisions.
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. 'Consumers' is plural. Use plural 'are.' (Note: 'data suggest' is already plural form of 'data suggests.') 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:
• "consumers (plural)"
Why others are wrong: A ('Was' is singular and past tense.), B ('Has been' is singular.), C ('Is' is singular; 'consumers' is plural.).
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