Set 10: Form, Structure & Sense
Explanation
PASSAGE
The species, which was thought to be extinct, _______ in a remote mountain region last year, surprising conservationists worldwide.
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. 'Species' is singular here (referring to one species). 'Was discovered' (passive past tense) correctly indicates the species was found by others. 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 species, which was thought to be extinct"
• "last year"
Why others are wrong: B ('Has discovered' is active; the species was found, not finding.), D ('Discovering' is a participle suggesting the species discovered something.), A ('Were discovered' implies plural; 'species' here is singular.).
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