Set 8: Form, Structure & Sense (Advanced)
Explanation
PASSAGE
Jazz music, which _______ in New Orleans in the early 20th century, blended African rhythms with European harmonies.
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. The relative clause 'which _______ in New Orleans' needs a past tense verb to match the past time frame ('early 20th century'). 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:
• "Jazz music, which"
• "in the early 20th century"
• "blended"
Why others are wrong: B ('Originates' is present tense; the sentence refers to the past.), C ('To originate' is an infinitive; the clause needs a finite verb.), A ('Originating' is a participle, not a verb; the clause needs a finite verb.).
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