Set 6: Form, Structure & Sense (Advanced)
Explanation
PASSAGE
The archaeological discovery provided evidence that ancient civilizations _______ complex trade networks spanning thousands of miles.
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 function and text organization. 'Had established' (past perfect) correctly indicates an action completed before another past event ('the discovery provided'). Each sentence in a well-constructed text serves a specific purpose. Consider what role this sentence plays in the argument: does it introduce, support, contrast, or conclude an idea? Understanding why an author includes specific sentences helps you grasp the overall argument. Each sentence should serve a clear purpose: introducing ideas, providing evidence, acknowledging counterarguments, or drawing conclusions. Identify the role to understand the structure.
Key Evidence:
• "The archaeological discovery provided evidence that"
• "trade networks spanning thousands of miles"
Why others are wrong: B ('Have established' is present perfect; the context is entirely in the distant past.), D ('Establishing' is a participle; the clause needs a finite verb.), A ('Establishes' is present singular; subject is plural and context is past.).
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