Set 15: Form, Structure & Sense
Explanation
PASSAGE
The philosopher's ideas, though controversial in _______ time, have profoundly shaped modern political theory.
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. 'His' refers back to 'the philosopher's' (singular possessive person). Without other context, 'his' is the traditional singular choice. 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 philosopher's ideas"
• "controversial in _______ time"
Why others are wrong: A ('Their' is plural; 'philosopher' is singular.), B ('Its' is for objects/animals, not a person (philosopher).), D ('Her' isn't wrong grammatically but 'his' matches traditional singular default.).
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