Set 16: Boundaries
Explanation
PASSAGE
The fossil, which was recently authenticated, _______ recently.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Detailed Answer Explanation
The correct answer is 'was discovered' because of the rule: passive voice agreement. Passive voice constructions require the correct form of "to be" plus the past participle. The form of "to be" must agree with the subject in number. A singular subject like "artifact" requires "was" not "were."
Key Evidence:
• "The fossil, which was recently authenticated, _______ recent..."
Why others are wrong: A ('discovering' is active voice and creates an incomplete sentence), B ('been discovered' lacks the auxiliary verb "has" or "had" needed to complete the verb phrase), D ('were discovered' uses plural "were" with a singular subject).