Set 8: Form, Structure & Sense
Explanation
PASSAGE
The biologist noted that the population of endangered birds _______ increased significantly since the conservation program began five years ago.
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 population' is singular and requires singular 'has.' The prepositional phrase 'of endangered birds' doesn't change the subject's number. 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 population of endangered birds"
• "since the conservation program began"
Why others are wrong: B ('Had' is past perfect; 'since' with present perfect ('has') is correct for ongoing results.), D ('Having' is a participle; the sentence needs a helping verb.), C ('Have' is plural; 'population' is singular.).
🎯 Keep Practicing!
Master all sections for your best SAT score