Set 14: Form, Structure & Sense (Intermediate)
Explanation
PASSAGE
The ancient Romans built a network of roads that _______ communication and trade across their vast empire.
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 main verb 'built' is past tense, and the relative clause describing what the roads did should also be past tense: 'facilitated.' 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 Romans built"
• "communication and trade"
Why others are wrong: C ('Facilitate' is present/base form; doesn't match past tense 'built.'), A ('Facilitating' is a participle; the relative clause needs a finite verb.), B ('Facilitates' is present tense; the main verb 'built' is past.).
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