Set 8: Form, Structure & Sense
Explanation
PASSAGE
The ancient Egyptians built the pyramids as tombs for _______ pharaohs, believing the structures would protect the rulers in the afterlife.
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. 'Their' is the possessive pronoun referring to the ancient Egyptians. It shows that the pharaohs belonged to the Egyptians' culture. 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 ancient Egyptians"
• "_______ pharaohs"
Why others are wrong: D ('They're' is a contraction of 'they are,' not a possessive.), C ('Its' is singular possessive; 'Egyptians' is plural.), A ('There' indicates location, not possession.).
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