Set 11: Form, Structure & Sense (Intermediate)
Explanation
PASSAGE
The Great Wall of China, which _______ over several centuries, remains one of the world's most impressive architectural achievements.
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 Great Wall was constructed by workers, so passive voice is needed. 'Was built' correctly shows that the wall received the action of building over several centuries. 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 Great Wall of China, which"
• "over several centuries"
Why others are wrong: A ('Built' alone lacks the helping verb needed for passive voice.), B ('Building' is a participle; the relative clause needs a finite verb.), D ('Has built' is active voice; the wall didn't build anything.).
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