Sentence Correction(句子改错) Each of the sentence correction questions presents a sentence, part or all of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. Follow the requirements of standard written English to choose your answer, paying attention to grammar, word choice, and sentence construction. Select the answer that produces the most effective sentence; your answer should make the sentence clear, exact, and free of grammatical error. It should also minimize awkwardness, ambiguity, and redundancy.
1. Heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved from the previous year, only look less appetizing than their round and red supermarket cousins, often green and striped, or have plenty of bumps and bruises, but are more flavorful.
A.cousins, often green and striped, or have plenty of bumps and bruises, but are
B.cousins, often green and striped, or with plenty of bumps and bruises, although
C.cousins, often green and striped, or they have plenty of bumps and bruises, although they are
D.cousins; they are often green and striped, or with plenty of bumps and bruises, although
E.cousins; they are often green and striped, or have plenty of bumps and bruises, but they are
A B C D E
E
[解析] Logical predication; Grammatical construction The sentence is intended to say that, although heirloom tomatoes may appear to be less appetizing than the round, red supermarket variety, the often green and striped or bumpy and bruised heirloom tomatoes actually are more flavorful. Any version of the sentence in which green and striped, have bumps and bruises, or are more flavorful appear to modify round and red supermarket cousins is ill-formed. A. In this version of the sentence, often green and striped, have plenty of bumps and bruises, and are more flavorful all illogically appear to modify round and red supermarket cousins rather than heirloom tomatoes. B. In this version of the sentence as well, often green and striped, with plenty of bumps and bruises, and although more flavorful all illogically appear to modify round and red supermarket cousins rather than heirloom tomatoes. C. In this version of the sentence, often green and striped illogically appears to modify round and red supermarket cousins rather than heirloom tomatoes. D. Although in this version green and striped and with plenty of bumps and bruises clearly, and correctly, modify heirloom tomatoes, the or in they are often green and striped, or with plenty of bumps and bruises is unnecessary and awkward. Furthermore, the final clause is ungrammatical and should say although they are more flavorful. E. Correct. In this version of the sentence, green and striped, with plenty of bumps and bruises, and are more flavorful clearly, and correctly, modify heirloom tomatoes, and the phrases in the sentence are appropriately parallel with one another. The correct answer is E.
2. In California, a lack of genetic variation in the Argentine ant has allowed the species to spread widely; due to their being so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be a close relative and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limits the spread of this species in its native Argentina.
A.due to their being so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be a close relative and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limits
B.due to its being so genetically similar, the ant considers all its fellows to be a close relative and thus does not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limit
C.because it is so genetically similar, the ant considers all its fellows to be close relatives and thus does not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limits
D.because they are so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be close relatives and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limit
E.because of being so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be a close relative and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limits
A B C D E
D
[解析] Diction; Agreement Words that express comparisons, such as similar, require either a plural object, with an optional expression of the entities being compared, or a singular object, in which case this explicit comparison is required. Thus its being so genetically similar, without this explicit comparison, is incorrect. Also, the two sides of the construction consider... to be must agree in number (fellows...close relatives, not fellows... a close relative). A Consider all their fellows to be a close relative shows incorrect agreement, with plural fellows and singular a close relative. B Its being so genetically similar is incorrect because there is no explicit statement of what the ant is similar to; also, the plural fellows and singular a close relative do not agree. C It is so genetically similar is incorrect because there is no explicit statement of what the ant is similar to. D Correct. The clause with similar uses the plural they and an explicit to one another, and agreement is respected between ants and fellows. E The plural fellows and singular a close relative do not agree. The correct answer is D.
3. While most of the earliest known ball courts in Mesoamerica date to 900-400 B.C., waterlogged latex balls found at El Manati and representations of ballplayers painted on ceramics found at San Lorenzo attest to the fact that the Mesoamerican ballgame was well established by the mid-thirteenth century B.C.
A.waterlogged latex balls found at El Manati and representations of ballplayers painted on ceramics found at San Lorenzo attest
B.waterlogged latex balls found at El Manati and the painting of representations of ballplayers on ceramics found at San Lorenzo attests
C.waterlogged latex balls found at El Manati and ceramics painted with representations of ballplayers found at San Lorenzo attests
D.the finding of waterlogged latex balls at El Manati and the painting of representations of ballplayers on ceramics found at San Lorenzo attests
E.the finding of waterlogged latex balls at El Manati and of representations of ballplayers painted on ceramics at San Lorenzo attest
A B C D E
A
[解析] Logical Predication; Agreement The sentence points out two pieces of evidence that prove the early existence of ballgames in Mesoamerica: waterlogged latex balls and representations of ballplayers. The two noun phrases together serve as subjects for the verb attest, creating a sentence that logically and correctly expresses its main idea. A Correct. Waterlogged latex balls and representations of ballplayers together serve as subjects for the verb attest. B Painting could refer to something that has been painted, but on that interpretation the sentence does not make sense, because the painting is itself the representation and a single painting would not plausibly be on multiple ceramics. Alternatively, it could refer to an ongoing act of painting, which could not plausibly constitute the kind of evidence referred to. The singular verb attests does not agree with the compound subject balls and painting. C The singular verb attests does not agree with the compound subject balls and ceramics. D Balls, not finding, should be the subject of the verb since the balls are the evidence. Painting could refer to something that has been painted, but on that interpretation the sentence does not make sense, because the painting is itself the representation and a single painting would not plausibly be on multiple ceramics. Alternatively, it could refer to an ongoing act of painting, which could not plausibly constitute the kind of evidence referred to. The singular verb attests does not agree with the compound subject finding and painting. E Balls and representations should be the subject of the verb attest since they are the evidence—not finding, the plural verb attest does not agree with the singular subject finding. The correct answer is A.
4. With the patience of its customers and with its network strained to the breaking point, the on-line service company announced a series of new initiatives trying to relieve the congestion that has led to at least four class-action lawsuits and thousands of complaints from frustrated customers.
A.the patience of its customers and with its network strained to the breaking point, the on- line service company announced a series of new initiatives trying to relieve
B.the patience of its customers and its network strained to the breaking point, the on-line service company announced a series of new initiatives that try to relieve
C.its network and the patience of its customers strained to the breaking point, the on-line service company announced a series of new initiatives to try to relieve
D.its network and with the patience of its customers strained to the breaking point, the on-line service company announced a series of initiatives to try relieving
E.its network and its customers' patience strained to the breaking point, the on-line service company announced a series of new initiatives to try relieving
A B C D E
C
[解析] Logical Predication; Rhetorical Construction The sentence explains the online service provider's efforts to relieve congestion, but it has been written with confusing ambiguities. Because the patience of its customers is in a separate prepositional phrase from its network, it is not clear whether both or only the latter is strained to the breaking point. The phrase trying to relieve is probably meant to explain the purpose of the initiatives, but does not do so unambiguously (for example, trying could modify either the company or initiatives, and it is not clear which is intended). An unambiguous wording of the sentence would clarify that both the patience of its customers and its network are strained to the breaking point and that the purpose of the initiatives is to try to relieve the congestion. A The patience of its customers is not clearly linked to strained to the breaking point, trying to relieve is an ambiguous and unidiomatic way of expressing the purpose of the initiatives. B That try to relieve fails to express the purpose of the initiatives in a rhetorically acceptable way; moreover the present tense try is illogical here. The phrase the patience of its customers and its network is rhetorically flawed in that its structure makes it seem to be attributing patience to the network. C Correct. The sentence indicates clearly that both the patience of its customers and its network are strained to the breaking point and that the company introduced initiatives aimed at relieving the congestion. D Its network is not clearly linked to strained to the breaking point; with to try, the infinitive form to relieve is more rhetorically appropriate here than the verbal noun form relieving, in order to indicate the goal of the intervention. E With to try, the infinitive form to relieve is more rhetorically appropriate here than the verbal noun form relieving, in order to indicate the goal of the intervention. The correct answer is C.
5. Travelers to Mars would have to endure low levels of gravity for long periods of time, avoid large doses of radiation, contend with the chemically reactive Martian soil, and perhaps even having to ward off contamination by Martian life-forms.
A.contend with the chemically reactive Martian soil, and perhaps even having to ward
B.contend with the chemically reactive Martian soil, and perhaps even warding
C.contend with the chemically reactive Martian soil, and perhaps even ward
D.contending with the chemically reactive Martian soil, and perhaps even to ward
E.contending with the chemically reactive Martian soil, and perhaps even warding
A B C D E
C
[解析] Parallelism; Grammatical construction This sentence provides a list of three conditions Mars travelers would certainly have to contend with, along with one additional thing they might have to do—ward off contamination by Martian life-forms. The items in the list are most clearly and effectively structured in parallel—as phrases beginning with infinitive verb forms—to endure, (to) avoid, (to) contend, (to) ward off. Because the sentence introduces all these actions as something travelers would have to do, repeating the hav[ing] to construction in the final item of the list is redundant. A. The phrase having to is not parallel with the other items in the list, and it unnecessarily repeats the sense of the introductory phrase, which identifies all items in the list as things travelers would have to do. B. The verb form warding is not parallel with the other items in the list. C. Correct. The sentence uses proper grammar and parallel construction. D. The participial form contending violates the parallel structure of the list of infinitive phrases. The reader is misled into thinking that contending with chemically reactive Martian soil describes what travelers would have to do to avoid radiation doses. E. The participial phrases contending with and warding off violate the parallel structure established by the list of infinitive phrases. The correct answer is C.
6. Unlike the buildings in Mesopotamian cities, which were arranged haphazardly, the same basic plan was followed for all cities of the Indus Valley: with houses laid out on a north-south, east-west grid, and houses and walls were built of standard-size bricks.
A.the buildings in Mesopotamian cities, which were arranged haphazardly, the same basic plan was followed for all cities of the Indus Valley: with houses
B.the buildings in Mesopotamian cities, which were haphazard in arrangement, the same basic plan was used in all cities of the Indus Valley: houses were
C.the arrangement of buildings in Mesopotamian cities, which were haphazard, the cities of the Indus Valley all followed the same basic plan: houses
D.Mesopotamian cities, in which buildings were arranged haphazardly, the cities of the Indus Valley all followed the same basic plan: houses were
E.Mesopotamian cities, which had buildings that were arranged haphazardly, the same basic plan was used for all cities in the Indus Valley: houses that were
A B C D E
D
[解析] Comparison-contrast; Modifying clause The contrast introduced by unlike must be logical and clear. Contrasting the buildings in Mesopotamian cities with the same basic plan does not make sense; Mesopotamian cities should be contrasted with the cities of the Indus Valley. Also, it needs to be clear that it was the buildings in the cities that were arranged haphazardly rather than the cities. The second half of the sentence needs houses were laid out to be parallel in structure to and houses and walls were built. A. Illogically contrasts the buildings in Mesopotamian cities with the same basic plan; not clear whether which were arranged haphazardly modifies cities or buildings; with houses lacks parallelism and is confusing. B. Illogically contrasts the buildings in Mesopotamian cities with the same basic plan; does not clarify what which were haphazard in arrangement modifies. C. Illogically contrasts the arrangement of buildings with the cities of the Indus Valley; not clear whether which were haphazard modifies buildings or cities; houses not followed by a verb. D. Correct. In this sentence, Mesopotamian cities are properly contrasted with the cities of the Indus Valley; in which buildings were arranged haphazardly expresses the idea clearly; and houses is followed by were as required. E. Illogically contrasts Mesopotamian cities with the same basic plan; houses that were lacks parallelism and is confusing. The correct answer is D.
7. In 2000, a mere two dozen products accounted for half the increase in spending on prescription drugs, a phenomenon that is explained not just because of more expensive drugs but by the fact that doctors are writing many more prescriptions for higher-cost drugs.
A.a phenomenon that is explained not just because of more expensive drugs but by the fact that doctors are writing
B.a phenomenon that is explained not just by the fact that drugs are becoming more expensive but also by the fact that doctors are writing
C.a phenomenon occurring not just because of drugs that are becoming more expensive but because of doctors having also written
D.which occurred not just because drugs are becoming more expensive but doctors are also writing
E.which occurred not just because of more expensive drugs but because doctors have also written
A B C D E
B
[解析] Rhetorical Construction; Idiom This sentence explains that a few high-cost products account for increased spending for two reasons—rising drug prices and more prescriptions for high-priced drugs. To present these two causes, the sentence employs a formula that requires parallel elements: not just because of x, but because of y, with x and y assuming the same grammatical form. One way to create this parallelism is to phrase both contributing causes as noun clauses beginning with the fact that. To streamline the sentence, unnecessary words and redundancies should be eliminated. One such redundancy is the repetition of meaning in explained and because of. A It is redundant and confusing to say that the phenomenon in question is explained...because of, the sentence structure is not parallel. B Correct. This sentence correctly uses parallel structure. C The phrasing drugs that are becoming and doctors having also written are awkward and confusing; the placement of also is incorrect. D The structure of this sentence is not parallel. E The placement of also is incorrect; the structure of the sentence is not parallel. The correct answer is B.
8. While it costs about the same to run nuclear plants as other types of power plants, it is the fixed costs that stem from building nuclear plants that makes it more expensive for them to generate electricity.
A.While it costs about the same to run nuclear plants as other types of power plants, it is the fixed costs that stem from building nuclear plants that makes it more expensive for them to generate electricity.
B.While the cost of running nuclear plants is about the same as for other types of power plants, the fixed costs that stem from building nuclear plants make the electricity they generate more expensive.
C.Even though it costs about the same to run nuclear plants as for other types of power plants, it is the fixed costs that stem from building nuclear plants that makes the electricity they generate more expensive.
D.It costs about the same to run nuclear plants as for other types of power plants, whereas the electricity they generate is more expensive, stemming from the fixed costs of building nuclear plants.
E.The cost of running nuclear plants is about the same as other types of power plants, but the electricity they generate is made more expensive because of the fixed costs stemming from building nuclear plants.
A B C D E
B
[解析] Agreement; Logical Predication The emphatic construction it is X that does Y (as in the phrase it is Jane who knows the answer) should be used only when there is a compelling reason to emphasize the doer of the action. In this sentence, the emphatic construction is used without good reason. A This sentence uses the emphatic structure it is... that without justification. The singular verb makes violates the agreement within the structure. The verb makes should agree with the notional subject (the fixed costs), not with the pronoun it. B Correct. This answer choice clearly and succinctly compares the two types of costs. C In addition to using the more cumbersome emphatic structure, this version violates the agreement within the structure. The verb should agree with the notional subject (the fixed costs), not with the pronoun it. D The preposition for is redundant in comparing the two objects of run. Since it is not clear what stemming... refers to, this is a dangling modifier. E The passive construction electricity... is made more expensive because of... is wordy and cumbersome. The preposition for is necessary in the comparison of the costs. The correct answer is B.
9. The computer company has announced that it will purchase the color-printing division of a rival company for $950 million, which is part of a deal that will make it the largest manufacturer in the office color-printing market.
A.million, which is part of a deal that will make
B.million, a part of a deal that makes
C.million, a part of a deal making
D.million as a part of a deal to make
E.million as part of a deal that will make
A B C D E
E
[解析] Rhetorical construction; Verb form The relative pronoun which requires a clear antecedent, but none appears in the original version of the sentence. The company's announcement is entirely geared to the future—it will purchase the division as part of a deal that will make it the largest manufacturer. A. There is no antecedent for the relative pronoun which. B. Like a relative pronoun, the appositive phrase (a part...) must have a noun or noun phrase as a clear antecedent; the verb makes should be future tense. C. The appositive phrase requires a clear antecedent; making does not indicate future tense. D. This sentence is a little awkward (the article a in apart is unnecessary) and says something rather different; as a part of a deal to make suggests that the deal itself includes making the company the largest manufacturer rather than its being the outcome of the deal. E. Correct. The future tense is used throughout and the sentence structure is clear. The correct answer is E.
10. Because the collagen fibers in skin line up in the direction of tension, surgical cuts made along these so-called Langer's lines sever fewer fibers and is less likely to leave an unsightly scar.
A.Because the collagen fibers in skin line up in the direction of tension, surgical cuts made along these so-called Langer's lines sever fewer
B.Because the collagen fibers in skin line up in the direction of tension, a surgical cut having been made along these so-called Langer's lines severs less
C.Because the collagen fibers in skin line up in the direction of tension, a surgical cut made along these so-called Langer's lines severs fewer
D.With the collagen fibers in skin lining up in the direction of tension, surgical cuts made along these so-called Langer's lines sever less
E.With the collagen fibers in skin lining up in the direction of tension, a surgical cut made along these so-called Langer's lines sever fewer
A B C D E
C
[解析] Agreement; Diction This sentence explains a causal connection between the alignment of collagen fibers and the impact of a particular type of surgical cut. Because is appropriate to express that causal relationship. The singular verb in the phrase is less likely to leave requires a singular subject (cut) and must be coordinated with another singular verb (severs). Because fibers are countable, the correct modifier is fewer rather than less. A. The plural subject cuts does not agree with the singular verb is. B. The verb form having been made is inconsistent with the present tense verb severs; less inappropriately modifies countable fibers. C. Correct. The adverbial conjunction because accurately captures the causal relationship expressed by the sentence. The singular subject cut agrees with the singular verbs severs and is, and fewer appropriately modifies countable fibers. D. The preposition with does not capture the causal relationship expressed by the sentence; the plural subject cuts does not agree with the singular verbs (severs and is); and less is an inappropriate modifier for countable fibers. E. As in (D), the preposition with fails to capture the causal relationship between alignment of fibers and scarring. The plural verb sever does not agree with the singular subject cut and the subsequent singular verb is. The correct answer is C.
11. Unlike the virginal, whose single set of strings runs parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the harpsichord's several sets of strings are placed at right angles to its front edge.
A.whose single set of strings runs parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the harpsichord's several sets of strings are
B.with a single set of strings running parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the several sets of strings of the harpsichord are
C.which has a single set of strings that runs parallel to the front edge of the instrument, in the case of the harpsichord, several sets of strings are
D.which has a single set of strings that run parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the harpsichord has several sets of strings
E.in which a single set of strings run parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the harpsichord's several sets of strings are
A B C D E
D
[解析] Parallelism; Agreement The point of the sentence is to contrast two instruments, but the sentence has been written to contrast the virginal with the sets of strings on the harpsichord. The proper contrast is between the virginal and the harpsichord. A The virginal is illogically contrasted with the sets of strings on the harpsichord. Note the possessive form harpsichord's in contrast to virginal. B The virginal is illogically contrasted with the sets of strings on the harpsichord. C In the case of the harpsichord is not parallel to the virginal D Correct. The contrast is properly drawn between the virginal and the harpsichord. E The virginal is illogically contrasted with the sets of strings on the harpsichord; the verb run does not agree with the singular subject set. The correct answer is D.
12. The results of two recent unrelated studies support the idea that dolphins may share certain cognitive abilities with humans and great apes; the studies indicate dolphins as capable of recognizing themselves in mirrors—an ability that is often considered a sign of self-awareness—and to grasp spontaneously the mood or intention of humans.
A.dolphins as capable of recognizing themselves in mirrors—an ability that is often considered a sign of self-awareness—and to grasp spontaneously
B.dolphins' ability to recognize themselves in mirrors—an ability that is often considered as a sign of self-awareness—and of spontaneously grasping
C.dolphins to be capable of recognizing themselves in mirrors—an ability that is often considered a sign of self-awareness—and to grasp spontaneously
D.that dolphins have the ability of recognizing themselves in mirrors—an ability that is often considered as a sign of self-awareness—and spontaneously grasping
E.that dolphins are capable of recognizing themselves in mirrors—an ability that is often considered a sign of self-awareness—and of spontaneously grasping
A B C D E
E
[解析] Grammatical construction; Parallelism In the context of this sentence, the studies indicate must introduce a clause; the clause must begin with that and have a subject, dolphins, and a verb, are (the complete verb phrase would be are capable of). The two capabilities should be parallel: capable of recognizing...and of spontaneously grasping. A. Context requires a clause, but this construction is not a clause; capable of recognizing is not parallel to to grasp spontaneously. B. Construction is not a clause, and a clause is required; dolphins' ability to recognize is not parallel to of spontaneously grasping. C. A clause is required following the studies indicate; to be capable of recognizing is not parallel to to grasp spontaneously. D. Have the ability of is wordy and unidiomatic; of recognizing and spontaneously grasping are not parallel. E. Correct. That introduces the subordinate clause necessary to complete this sentence properly; of recognizing and of spontaneously grasping are parallel The correct answer is E.
13. As a result of record low temperatures, the water pipes on the third floor froze, which caused the heads of the sprinkler system to burst, which released torrents of water into offices on the second floor.
A.which caused the heads of the sprinkler system to burst, which released torrents of water
B.which caused the heads of the sprinkler system to burst and which released torrents of water
C.which caused the heads of the sprinkler system to burst, torrents of water were then released
D.causing the heads of the sprinkler system to burst, then releasing torrents of water
E.causing the heads of the sprinkler system to burst and release torrents of water
A B C D E
E
[解析] Logical predication; Grammatical construction This sentence describes a causal sequence of events leading to flooded second-floor offices. One of the steps, sprinkler heads bursting, was presumably simultaneous with the release of torrents of water, so it is best to present these events as actions attached to the same subject (heads of the sprinkler system). The sentence as given attempts to explain the sequence in a chain of relative clauses, using the pronoun which to introduce successive steps. The precise referent of this relative pronoun is somewhat obscure—it appears to refer to the entire preceding clause—and the sequence separates the simultaneous bursting of heads and releasing of water into two temporally separate events. A. The referent of the second which is obscure, and the sentence implausibly separates bursting heads and releasing of torrents into two temporally separate events. B. Joining the relative pronouns with the conjunction and makes the freezing of the water pipes the subject of both caused... and released.... Thus, it seems to indicate, somewhat implausibly, that the freezing of the pipes directly released torrents of water independently of its causing the sprinkler heads to burst. C. The passive verb were... released obscures the causal sequence behind the releasing of torrents of water. The introduction of a new independent clause without a conjunction is ungrammatical and makes this version a run-on sentence. D. As in (B), the structure of this version makes the freezing of the pipes the subject of both causing... and releasing The introduction of the sequential marker then divides the bursting of heads and releasing of torrents of water into two separate events in the sequence. It indicates, implausibly, that the pipes' freezing directly released torrents of water after it had also caused the sprinkler heads to burst. E. Correct. The elimination of the relative pronouns clarifies the causal sequence of events, and the double infinitives to burst and (to) release underscores the simultaneity of these events. The correct answer is E.
14. Discussion of greenhouse effects have usually had as a focus the possibility of Earth growing warmer and to what extent it might, but climatologists have indicated all along that precipitation, storminess, and temperature extremes are likely to have the greatest impact on people.
A.Discussion of greenhouse effects have usually had as a focus the possibility of Earth growing warmer and to what extent it might,
B.Discussion of greenhouse effects has usually had as its focus whether Earth would get warmer and what the extent would be,
C.Discussion of greenhouse effects has usually focused on whether Earth would grow warmer and to what extent,
D.The discussion of greenhouse effects have usually focused on the possibility of Earth getting warmer and to what extent it might,
E.The discussion of greenhouse effects has usually focused on whether Earth would grow warmer and the extent that is,
A B C D E
C
[解析] Agreement; Parallelism The sentence contrasts climatologists' views concerning greenhouse effects with other views that emphasize global warming. The main subject of the sentence is discussion..., which is singular, so the main verb should be singular. The two things that are said to be the focus of discussion should be in parallel form. A The plural verb have... had does not agree with the singular subject discussion. The phrases the possibility...warmer and to what...might are not parallel. B The verb form has had as its focus is unnecessarily wordy; the noun clauses are parallel in form, but it is not clear what the extent refers to. C Correct. This has correct subject-verb agreement, eliminates the wordiness of the original sentence, and the phrases whether... warmer and to what extent are parallel. D The singular subject discussion does not agree with the plural verb have focused. The possibility of... is not parallel with to what extent.... E The two phrases following on are not in parallel form. What that refers to in the extent that is is unclear. The correct answer is C.
15. The foundation works to strengthen local and regional agricultural markets and cooperating with governments, improving access for farmers for productive resources such as land and credit.
A.cooperating with governments, improving access for farmers for
B.cooperates with governments to improve access for farmers to
C.cooperate with governments for improvements of access for farmers to
D.cooperate with governments and improve accessibility for farmers for their
E.in cooperation with governments to improve access for farmers for
A B C D E
B
[解析] Parallelism; Rhetorical Construction As written, this sentence does not clearly indicate whether and is intended to conjoin two things that the foundation does (working to strengthen markets and cooperating with governments) or two things that the foundation works to accomplish (strengthening markets and cooperating with governments). The latter is less plausible because of the redundancy of works to cooperate. In the former, the proper verb form, parallel with the present-tense works, would be cooperates. In the latter, the proper verb form, parallel with the infinitive to strengthen, would be to cooperate or simply cooperate. Only one of the answer choices resolves the uncertainty of meaning in a coherent and well-formed way. A Cooperating is incorrect, since it is not in the same form as either works or to strengthen. B Correct. This version correctly represents the foundation's two actions by putting the verbs works and cooperates in parallel form. Cooperates... to improve is the most concise phrasing to express the purpose of improving access. C Cooperate...for improvements of access for farmers is awkwardly phrased and unnecessarily wordy. D Cooperate... and improve accessibility for farmers is awkwardly phrased and unnecessarily wordy. E In cooperation destroys the parallelism required by works to: there should be a verb following works to, not this prepositional phrase. The correct answer is B.
16. The Supreme Court has ruled that public universities can collect student activity fees even with students' objections to particular activities, so long as the groups they give money to will be chosen without regard to their views.
A.with students' objections to particular activities, so long as the groups they give money to will be
B.if they have objections to particular activities and the groups that are given the money are
C.if they object to particular activities, but the groups that the money is given to have to be
D.from students who object to particular activities, so long as the groups given money are
E.though students have an objection to particular activities, but the groups that are given the money be
A B C D E
D
[解析] Logical predication; Rhetorical construction The underlined portion of the sentence fails to establish a clear relationship among universities, students, and groups. To which of these three does they refer? It would appear that the universities must give the money, but they does not have a referent. Furthermore, they is followed by their views, and in this case their must refer to groups. Wordy and awkward phrasing as well as an unnecessary shift in verb tense (will be chosen) compound the difficulty of understanding this sentence in its original form. A. With students' objections...is awkward and dense; they does not have a referent; the future will be is incorrect since the Supreme Court has already ruled. B. Referent for they is student activity fees, which cannot possibly have objections...; the use of and is illogical. C. They refers to student activity fees rather than students; but does not have the requisite sense of with the provision that; have to be is wordy. D. Correct. In this sentence, from students who object is clear and idiomatic; so long as is used appropriately; groups given money eliminates the problem of a pronoun without a referent; are is the proper tense. E. Have an objection is an unnecessarily wordy way to say object, the verb be does not complete the latter part of the sentence. The correct answer is D.
17. Ryūnosuke Akutagawa's knowledge of the literatures of Europe, China, and that of Japan-were instrumental in his development as a writer, informing his literary style as much as the content of his fiction.
A.that of Japan were instrumental in his development as a writer, informing his literary style as much as
B.that of Japan was instrumental in his development as a writer, and it informed both his literary style as well as
C.Japan was instrumental in his development as a writer, informing both his literary style and
D.Japan was instrumental in his development as a writer, as it informed his literary style as much as
E.Japan were instrumental in his development as a writer, informing both his literary style in addition to
A B C D E
C
[解析] Logical Predication; Agreement When a verb follows a complex noun phrase made up of several parts, it agrees with the first noun in the phrase. In this case, knowledge of the literatures of Europe, China, and Japan is a singular noun and the correct verb form is was, not were. The various parts of an enumeration have to be alike: the literatures of Europe, China, and Japan. The logical relationship between the predicates is important. A This version of the sentence violates the correct subject-verb agreement, and the correct structure of enumeration is disrupted by the addition of that of in front of Japan. B The correct structure of enumeration is disrupted by the addition of that of in front of Japan. Both... as well as...is incorrect usage. C Correct. The structure of the enumeration (Europe, China, and Japan) as well as the conjunction structure (both X and Y) are correct. The logical relationships among the parts of the sentence are clearly expressed. D This phrasing makes it unclear what the writer is claiming. It appears to indicate that the effect of Akutagawa's knowledge on his development as a writer was due to the fact that both of the aspects of his writing were influenced to the same extent. However, it is implausible to suppose that this is what the writer intends. Furthermore, the comparison is ambiguous: did his knowledge inform his style as much as it informed the content, or did it inform his style as much as the content informed his style? E The subject-verb agreement in this version is incorrect. Both X in addition to Y is incorrect usage. The correct answer is C.
18. The tourism commission has conducted surveys of hotels in the most popular resorts, with the ultimate goal of reducing the guests who end up expressing overall dissatisfaction with the service in the hotels.
A.with the ultimate goal of reducing the guests who end up expressing overall dissatisfaction with the service in the hotels
B.with the goal to ultimately reduce the number of guests who end up expressing overall dissatisfaction with the hotels' service
C.ultimately with the goal to reduce expressions of overall dissatisfaction by the guests with the hotel service
D.in an ultimate attempt to reduce the number of guests that ends up expressing overall dissatisfaction with the hotels' service
E.with the ultimate goal of reducing the number of guests who express overall dissatisfaction with the hotels' service
A B C D E
E
[解析] Verb Form; Rhetorical Construction This sentence seems to be saying something absurd: that the goal is to reduce the guests themselves, instead of to reduce the number of guests or the expressions of dissatisfaction. It is also awkward in introducing the superfluous end up; but at least, if it does so, the correct form to agree with the subject guests is end up, not ends up, which is used in answer choice D. In general, direct modifiers (such as with the (hotel) service) should not be separated from the word they modify (such as dissatisfaction) if possible. A Reducing the guests is clearly not the intent of the sentence; it should be phrased as reducing the number of guests or the expressions of dissatisfaction. B With the goal to ultimately reduce is awkward and unidiomatic. C With the hotel service should be placed next to dissatisfaction; also, ultimately with the goal is awkward, better phrased as with the ultimate goal. D The relative clause that ends up... modifies the plural guests (not, in this context, number), so the correct verb form is end up. E Correct. The with phrase is concise, and it is the number of guests, not the guests themselves, that is to be reduced. With the hotel's service is adjacent to dissatisfaction. Also, in the relative clause starting with who, the implicit subject of express is guests, so this verb correctly agrees with its subject. The correct answer is E.
19. Sixty-five million years ago, according to some scientists, an asteroid bigger than Mount Everest slammed into North America, which, causing plant and animal extinctions, marks the end of the geologic era known as the Cretaceous Period.
A.which, causing plant and animal extinctions, marks
B.which caused the plant and animal extinctions and marks
C.and causing plant and animal extinctions that mark
D.an event that caused plant and animal extinctions, which marks
E.an event that caused the plant and animal extinctions that mark
A B C D E
E
[解析] Logical predication; Agreement This sentence describes a two-part sequence of events, the second of which has led to a particular categorization of geological time. In order to clarify that it is not the first event (asteroid strike) that produced the time division (end of the Cretaceous Period), but the first event's consequences (biological extinctions), the sentence needs an appositive form to restate the content of the main clause (an event), followed by a two-part chain of relative clauses (that caused... that mark...). A. The antecedent for the relative pronoun which is ambiguous; it is therefore unclear what marks the end of the Cretaceous Period. B. The antecedent of which is unclear; the compound verbs caused and marks fail to indicate that the extinctions, not the asteroid strike, are significant markers of geological time. C. Following the conjunction and with a participial rather than a main verb is grammatically incorrect because it violates parallelism and produces a fragment at the end of the sentence. D. Which, referring to extinctions, should be followed by a plural verb. E. Correct. The sentence is unambiguous, and the verbs agree with their subjects. The correct answer is E.
20. At the end of 2001, motion picture industry representatives said that there were about a million copies of Hollywood movies available online and expected piracy to increase with high-speed Internet connections that become more widely available.
A.online and expected piracy to increase with high-speed Internet connections that become more widely available
B.online and expect the increase of piracy with the wider availability of high-speed Internet connections
C.online, and they expect more piracy to increase with the wider availability of high-speed Internet connections
D.online, and that they expected the increase of piracy as high-speed Internet connections would become more widely available
E.online, and that they expected piracy to increase as high-speed Internet connections became more widely available
A B C D E
E
[解析] Rhetorical Construction; Grammatical Construction Every clause needs a subject, either an overt subject or an understood subject (whose interpretation can come from a coordinated clause or some other nearby clause). In this sentence, the clause containing expected lacks a clear subject. The intended subject is motion picture industry representatives, but to clearly indicate that, the subject should either be repeated or be replaced with the pronoun they. Furthermore, piracy to increase with high-speed Internet connections that become more widely available is awkward, and it fails to clearly communicate the idea that piracy will increase as a result of high-speed Internet connections becoming available. A The second clause is awkward and unclear; there is no clear subject for expected. B There is no clear subject for expect. C It is redundant to use both more and increase. D This wording makes the meaning very unclear. They expected the increase in piracy appears to refer to a particular (past) increase, but this does not clearly make sense with the ensuing use of the conditional verb form would become, which is inappropriate here. E Correct. In this version the verb expect has an overt subject, and the following phrasing clearly indicates that the expected increase in piracy is the result of high-speed Internet connections becoming more widely available. The correct answer is E.
21. In the textbook publishing business, the second quarter is historically weak, because revenues are low and marketing expenses are high as companies prepare for the coming school year.
A.low and marketing expenses are high as companies prepare
B.low and their marketing expenses are high as they prepare
C.low with higher marketing expenses in preparation
D.low, while marketing expenses are higher to prepare
E.low, while their marketing expenses are higher in preparation
A B C D E
A
[解析] Parallelism; Logical predication This sentence is correctly written. It uses parallel structure to give two reasons why textbook publishers have weak second quarters: revenues are low and expenses are high. The construction as companies prepare for the coming school year is clear, as opposed to the awkward constructions using the ambiguous plural pronouns they and their. A. Correct. This sentence uses the parallel forms are low... are high and employs the unambiguous companies as the subject of prepare. B. Their seems illogically to refer to revenues. The subject of prepare is the ambiguous they. C. Higher is not parallel to low, and it gives no indication of what the comparison is supposed to be (Higher than what?). This construction makes it appear, illogically, that the low revenues have higher marketing expenses. D. Higher is not parallel to low and is illogical. The infinitive construction to prepare... is awkward. E. Higher is not parallel to low and is illogical since no comparison is being made; their has no clear referent. The correct answer is A.
22. Similar to other early Mississippi Delta blues singers, the music of Robert Johnson arose from an oral tradition beginning with a mixture of chants, fiddle tunes, and religious music and only gradually evolved into the blues.
A.Similar to other early Mississippi Delta blues singers, the music of Robert Johnson arose from an oral tradition beginning with
B.Similar to that of other early Mississippi Delta blues singers, Robert Johnson made music that arose from an oral tradition that began with
C.As with other early Mississippi Delta blues singers, Robert Johnson made music that arose from an oral tradition beginning as
D.Like other early Mississippi Delta blues singers, Robert Johnson's music arose from an oral tradition beginning with
E.Like the music of other early Mississippi Delta blues singers, the music of Robert Johnson arose from an oral tradition that began as
A B C D E
E
[解析] Logical Predication; Verb Form The sentence aims to compare the music of early Mississippi Delta Blues singers with the music of Robert Johnson. But what it does is illogically compare singers themselves with the music of Johnson. The second half of the sentence describes two stages of the oral tradition from which blues developed. A Similar to is a wordy and imprecise form of comparison here. The second half of the sentence attempts to describe the stages of the oral tradition, but in a nonparallel form, presenting the first stage as a participial phrase and the second as a verb phrase. B Similar to is wordy and imprecise. The pronoun that lacks a grammatical referent. C The comparative phrase as with is an inappropriate form for comparing nouns and noun phrases. The second half of the sentence violates parallelism, attempting to express the first stage of the oral tradition as a present-participle phrase and the second as a past-tense verb phrase. D This makes a sentence that illogically compares singers with music. It violates parallelism by coupling a participial phrase beginning with... with a verb phrase evolved into E Correct. The resulting sentence compares like with like. It uses a relative clause to describe the oral tradition from which blues developed, indicating the two stages of development with two verbs in parallel. The correct answer is E.
23. Traffic safety officials predict that drivers will be equally likely to exceed the proposed speed limit as the current one.
A.equally likely to exceed the proposed speed limit as
B.equally likely to exceed the proposed speed limit as they are
C.equally likely that they will exceed the proposed speed limit as
D.as likely that they will exceed the proposed speed limit as
E.as likely to exceed the proposed speed limit as they are
A B C D E
E
[解析] Idiom; Parallelism This sentence reports on a prediction that compares the likelihood of drivers exceeding a proposed new speed limit with the likelihood of drivers exceeding the current speed limit. The idiom as x as y, rather than the incorrect form equally... as, should be used to express the comparison. A Equally likely... as is not an idiomatic form of comparison. B This also offers a nonidiomatic form of comparison. C The comparison is expressed nonidiomatically. Also, the drivers will be equally likely should be followed by to exceed rather than by that they will exceed. The resulting sentence is wordy and structurally flawed. D The resulting sentence is wordy and structurally flawed. The idiomatic phrase as x as y is somewhat in use, but as likely that they is awkward, and the comparison is unclear and not parallel. E Correct. The idiomatic phrase as x as y is properly used, and the comparison is clear and parallel. The correct answer is E.
24. An analysis of tree bark all over the globe shows that chemical insecticides have often spread thousands of miles from where they were originally used.
A.that chemical insecticides have often spread thousands of miles from where they were originally used
B.that chemical insecticides have spread, often thousands of miles from their original use
C.chemical insecticides, having often spread thousands of miles from where they were used originally
D.chemical insecticides, often spreading thousands of miles from where their original use
E.chemical insecticides, often spreading thousands of miles from where they were originally used
A B C D E
A
[解析] Grammatical construction; Diction To express the intended meaning, shows can be followed by a clause beginning with that. Another option would be to use the special clause type show + noun phrase + ing verb form, such as show chemical insecticides spreading many miles—but there should be no pause in the middle of a construction of this latter type. If there is such a pause, then chemical insecticides becomes the direct object of show, and the following verb-ing phrase is an awkward attempt at a modifier of this object. Note also that if something spreads, it spreads from a place or an entity; other ways of expressing this idea in the answer choices are awkward or illogical. Verbs without overt subjects (such as spreading here) normally are to be understood as having the same subject as the main clause. A. Correct. Show is correctly followed by a that clause, and a place is correctly identified (from where) as the source of the spread. B. Show is followed by a that clause, but insecticides are illogically said to have spread from a use, rather than from a place. C. Show can sometimes take a direct object (here, chemical insecticides). However, the construction used here makes analysis the subject of having. Thus it appears to say, illogically, that the analysis shows that the analysis itself has spread from where the insecticides were used. D. Show can sometimes take a direct object (here, chemical insecticides). However, the construction used here makes analysis the subject of spreading. Thus, it appears to say, illogically, that the analysis shows that the analysis itself often spreads from where the insecticides were used. Also, where their original use is grammatically incorrect (where they were originally used is a correct alternative). E. Show can sometimes take a direct object (here, chemical insecticides). However, the construction used here makes analysis the subject of spreading. Thus, it appears to say, illogically, that the analysis shows that the analysis itself often spreads from where the insecticides were used. The correct answer is A.
25. A federal advisory panel proposes expanding a national computerized file to permit law-enforcement agencies to track people under criminal investigation but have not yet been charged.
A.under criminal investigation but
B.under criminal investigation, but who
C.under criminal investigation, but they
D.who are under criminal investigation, but they
E.who are under criminal investigation but
A B C D E
E
[解析] Parallelism; Grammatical construction The sentence describes a proposal to allow law-enforcement agencies to track people who have not been charged with a crime but are under investigation. However, the description of the group is flawed, in that the two defining properties—not having been charged; being under investigation—are not expressed in a parallel form: the verb have been charged lacks a grammatically correct subject. A. The adjectival phrase under criminal investigation, modifying people, is nonparallel to have not yet been charged; the latter is a mere sentence fragment. B. The required parallelism is lacking here. The word but introduces a sentence fragment. C. The required parallelism is lacking here: we have an adjectival phrase, and the coordinate conjunction but introducing what appears to be an independent clause. It is unclear what the antecedent of the pronoun they is. D. The required parallelism is lacking here: we have a relative clause, followed by the coordinate conjunction but introducing what appears to be an independent clause. It is structurally unclear what the antecedent of the pronoun they is. E. Correct. The relative pronoun who has people as its antecedent and introduces a complex relative clause containing two parallel verbal phrases correctly coordinated with the conjunction but. The correct answer is E.
26. A mutual fund having billions of dollars in assets will typically invest that money in hundreds of companies, rarely holding more than one percent of the shares of any particular corporation.
A.companies, rarely holding more than one percent
B.companies, and it is rare to hold at least one percent or more
C.companies and rarely do they hold more than one percent
D.companies, so that they rarely hold more than one percent
E.companies; rarely do they hold one percent or more
A B C D E
A
[解析] Agreement; Logical Predication The participial phrase starting with rarely holding is predicated of the main subject a mutual fund. It elaborates on the effect of the main clause verb: since a mutual fund invests in hundreds of companies, it rarely holds more than one percent in any particular corporation. A Correct. The participle holding in the embedded clause correctly refers to a mutual fund. It also correctly expresses the cause-and-effect relationship between investing in many companies and holding little in each company. B The antecedent of it is rare to hold is not clear. The use of it is rare instead of rarely could be misleading. C The use of and between the clauses makes them both main clauses. Thus, the cause- and-effect relationship between investing and holding is lost. The referent of they is unclear. It makes no sense to suppose that it refers to the hundreds of companies. Since it presumably refers to a mutual fund, it should be singular. D The pronoun they refers to a mutual fund and thus should be singular. E The pronoun they refers to a mutual fund and thus should be singular. The correct answer is A.
27. Through experimenting designed to provide information that will ultimately prove useful in the treatment of hereditary diseases, mice have received bone marrow transplants that give them a new gene.
A.Through experimenting designed to provide information that will ultimately prove
B.Through experiments designed to provide information ultimately proving
C.In experimentation designed to provide information that ultimately proves
D.In experimenting designed to provide information ultimately proving
E.In experiments designed to provide information that will ultimately prove
A B C D E
E
[解析] Rhetorical Construction; Diction The sentence reports that mice received a new gene by means of a bone marrow transplant, in the context of experiments aimed at improving treatment of hereditary disease. Issues arise concerning use of the preposition through, use of the verb form experimenting, and use of certain forms of the verb prove. The hoped-for result is more clearly expressed by the future tense will...prove than by other forms of the verb. A The verb form experimenting is inappropriate here because it seems to have mice as its implicit subject, which would be nonsensical, presuming scientists ran the experiment. The preposition through awkwardly signals that the experiments were the means by which—rather than the context in which—the bone marrow transplants were administered. B The use of through is awkward for the reason already indicated. Compared with will... prove, the present participle proving less clearly signals the prospective nature of the experimenters' goal. C The word experimentation, because it can simply mean "trying out new things or ideas," is unnecessarily imprecise compared with experiments. The present tense prove does not clearly signal the prospective nature of the experimenters' goal. D The use of the verbal noun experimenting is less idiomatic than experiments. Compared with will... prove, the present participle proving less clearly signals the prospective nature of the experimenters' goal. E Correct. The use of the preposition in, the word experiments, and the future will...prove create a sentence that avoids some of the potential problems identified. The correct answer is E.
28. According to a recent study of consumer spending on prescription medications, increases in the sales of the 50 drugs that were advertised most heavily accounts for almost half of the 520.8 billion increase in drug spending last year, the remainder of which came from sales of the 9,850 prescription medicines that companies did not advertise or advertised very little.
A.heavily accounts for almost half of the 520.8 billion increase in drug spending last year, the remainder of which came
B.heavily were what accounted for almost half of the 520.8 billion increase in drug spending last year; the remainder of the increase coming
C.heavily accounted for almost half of the 520.8 billion increase in drug spending last year, the remainder of the increase coming
D.heavily, accounting for almost half of the 520.8 billion increase in drug spending last year, while the remainder of the increase came
E.heavily, which accounted for almost half of the 520.8 billion increase in drug spending last year, with the remainder of it coming
A B C D E
C
[解析] Grammatical Construction; Verb Form The sentence indicates that according to research, increases in sales of the relatively small number of the most heavily advertised drugs accounted for nearly half of last year's total increase in drug spending. The sentence is flawed because of subject-verb disagreement, and an ambiguity in the referent of which. A The singular verb form accounts fails to agree in number with the plural subject increases. What the relative pronoun which refers to is unclear; to make clear sense, it should refer to the... increase. B The phrase were what accounted is unnecessarily wordy; the semicolon before the remainder signals that a complete clause will follow, but what follows is not a complete clause. C Correct. The sentence is clear and grammatically correct. The subject and verb agree. D In the resulting sentence, no main verb follows the main subject increases. E The resulting sentence lacks a main verb for the main subject increases. The correct answer is C.
29. Analysts believe that whereas bad decisions by elected leaders can certainly hurt the economy, no administration can really be said to control or manage all of the complex and interrelated forces that determine the nation's economic strength,
A.no administration can really be said to control
B.no administration can be said that it really controls
C.that no administration can really be said to control
D.that no administration can really be said that it controls
E.that it cannot be said that any administration really controls
A B C D E
A
[解析] Grammatical construction; Verb form The point of this sentence is to explain analysts' common two-part belief about the limited power of elected officials to control a national economy. It presents this belief as the direct object in the main clause, [a]nalysts believe, and introduces it with the subordinating conjunction that, which governs both the positive dependent clause (decisions... can hurt) introduced by whereas, and the subsequent negative independent clause (no administration can... be said to control...). The additional appearances of that in some of the versions of the sentence are ungrammatical. A. Correct. Introduced by the subordinating conjunction that, the complex clause succinctly contrasts leaders' powers to hurt the economy with their inability to control all economic forces. B. The idiom can be said to would be appropriate, but no administration can be said that it is ungrammatical. C. The repetition of that is ungrammatical, since both clauses are governed by the initial appearance of that after [a] nalysts believe. D. This version of the sentence combines the mistakes described in (B) with those described in (C). E. The repetition of that is ungrammatical, since both clauses are governed by the first appearance of that. The appearance of it makes the sentence unnecessarily wordy and convoluted. The correct answer is A.
30. Most of the country's biggest daily newspapers had lower circulation in the six months from October 1995 through March 1996 than a similar period a year earlier.
A.a similar period
B.a similar period's
C.in a similar period
D.that in a similar period
E.that of a similar period
A B C D E
C
[解析] Logical Predication; Parallelism The sentence compares newspaper circulation during two separate periods, but the comparison is not parallel because it has been drawn using a prepositional phrase, in the six months, and a noun phrase, a similar period. Both phrases compared by than should be prepositional phrases: lower in the six months... than in a similar period. A In the six months and a similar period are not grammatically parallel. The sentence appears illogically to compare a period of time with an amount of circulation. B In the six months and a similar period's are not grammatically parallel. C Correct. In the six months and in a similar period are both prepositional phrases, making the comparison clear and properly idiomatic. D In the six months and that in a similar period are not grammatically parallel; it is unclear what the antecedent of that is supposed to be. E In the six months and that of a similar period are not grammatically parallel; it is unclear what the antecedent of that is supposed to be. The correct answer is C.
31. Palladium prices have soared, with Russia restricting exports and because automakers have started using it to make the huge engines in sport utility vehicles and other light trucks.
A.Palladium prices have soared, with Russia restricting exports and because automakers have started using
B.Palladium prices have soared, with Russia restricting exports, in addition to automakers that have started to use
C.Prices for palladium have soared as Russia has restricted exports and automakers have started using
D.Prices for palladium have soared as Russia has been restricting exports, in addition to automakers starting to use
E.Prices for palladium have soared because Russia is restricting exports, as well as automakers that have started using
A B C D E
C
[解析] Parallelism; Rhetorical construction The sentence indicates that a rapid increase in palladium prices is related to a restriction in Russian exports and to the fact that automakers have started using palladium to make engines. It makes sense to see the increase in palladium prices as being a result of the other two factors, and the sentence should clearly suggest this link. Furthermore, the grammatical construction of the sentence should display parallelism. For instance, if the phrase Russia restricting exports is used, then the parallel phrase automakers having started should be used so as to create a parallel construction. On the other hand, if the clause Russia has restricted exports is used, then the clause automakers have started should be paired with it to create a parallel structure. A. The use of the word with before Russia restricting exports does not clearly indicate the causal link between this restriction and the price increases. Furthermore, with Russia restricting exports is not appropriately parallel with because automakers have started using. B. The use of the word with before Russia restricting exports does not clearly indicate the causal link between this restriction and the price increases. Also, with Russia restricting exports is not appropriately grammatically parallel with automakers that have started to use. C. Correct. The use of the word as suggests a possible causal link between the price increases and the combination of Russia's restriction of exports and automakers' use of palladium in the manufacture of engines. The sentence also displays an appropriate grammatical parallelism among Prices for palladium have soared, Russia has restricted exports, and automakers have started using. D. There is not an appropriate grammatical parallelism between Russia has been restricting exports and automakers starting to use. E. There is not an appropriate grammatical parallelism between Russia is restricting exports and automakers that have started using. The correct answer is C.
32. Native to South America, when peanuts were introduced to Africa by Portuguese explorers early in the sixteenth century they were quickly adopted into Africa's agriculture, probably because of being so similar to the Bambarra groundnut, a popular indigenous plant.
A.when peanuts were introduced to Africa by Portuguese explorers early in the sixteenth century they were quickly adopted into Africa's agriculture, probably because of being
B.peanuts having been introduced to Africa by Portuguese explorers early in the sixteenth century and quickly adopted into Africa's agriculture, probably because of being
C.peanuts were introduced to Africa by Portuguese explorers early in the sixteenth century and were quickly adopted into Africa's agriculture, probably because they were
D.peanuts, introduced to Africa by Portuguese explorers early in the sixteenth century and quickly adopted into Africa's agriculture, probably because they were
E.peanuts, introduced to Africa by Portuguese explorers early in the sixteenth century and having been quickly adopted into Africa's agriculture, probably because they were
A B C D E
C
[解析] Grammatical construction; Logical predication The opening adjectival phrase Native to South America must be followed immediately by the noun it modifies: peanuts. The sentence makes two main points about peanuts—they were introduced to Africa and they were quickly adopted there. The most efficient way to make these points is to make peanuts the subject of two main verbs: were introduced and were...adopted. A. When incorrectly intervenes between the opening adjectival phrase and the noun it modifies, and it is also unnecessary because early in the sixteenth century explains when. Because of being is wordy and indirect. B. This version of the sentence has no main verb, since having been introduced and quickly adopted both introduce adjectival phrases. C. Correct. The sentence is properly structured and grammatically correct. D. This version of the sentence has no main verb because introduced and adopted both function as adjectives. E. This version of the sentence has no main verb because introduced and having been... adopted function as adjectives. The correct answer is C.
33. Seldom more than 40 feet wide and 12 feet deep, but it ran 363 miles across the rugged wilderness of upstate New York, the Erie Canal connected the Hudson River at Albany to the Great Lakes at Buffalo, providing the port of New York City with a direct water link to the heartland of the North American continent.
A.Seldom more than 40 feet wide and 12 feet deep, but it ran 363 miles across the rugged wilderness of upstate New York, the Erie Canal connected
B.Seldom more than 40 feet wide or 12 feet deep but running 363 miles across the rugged wilderness of upstate New York, the Erie Canal connected
C.It was seldom more than 40 feet wide and 12 feet deep, and ran 363 miles across the rugged wilderness of upstate New York, but the Erie Canal, connecting
D.The Erie Canal was seldom more than 40 feet wide or 12 feet deep and it ran 363 miles across the rugged wilderness of upstate New York, which connected
E.The Erie Canal, seldom more than 40 feet wide and 12 feet deep, but running 363 miles across the rugged wilderness of upstate New York, connecting
A B C D E
B
[解析] Logical predication; Grammatical construction The phrase seldom...deep is the first half of a modifier that describes the Erie Canal However, because a comma incorrectly follows deep, this phrase appears to be the entire modifier, which must agree with the noun or pronoun that immediately follows it. This phrase cannot modify the conjunction but, and it has no referent; but it ran is not a logical or grammatical construction following the modifying phrase. Substituting running for it ran creates an adjective phrase parallel to the first adjective phrase (seldom... deep).To contrast the small size reported in the first phrase with the great distance reported in the second, the two phrases may be joined with but; together they create a single modifier correctly modifying the Erie Canal. The Erie Canal is then the subject of the sentence and requires the verb connected to provide a logical statement. A. But it ran cannot logically or grammatically follow the modifying phrase. B. Correct. This sentence properly has the single modifier consisting of two contrasting parts. C. Neither and nor but acts as a logical connector; the use of connecting results in a sentence fragment. D. The paired concepts of width and depth should be joined by and, not or, this construction calls for two main clauses to be separated by a comma after deep; which is ambiguous. E. The two halves of the modifier should not be separated by a comma after deep; the subject is awkwardly and confusingly placed at a great distance from the predicate; the use of connecting rather than connected creates a sentence fragment. The correct answer is B.
34. Employing many different techniques throughout his career, Michelangelo produced a great variety of art works, including paintings, for example, in the Sistine Chapel, to sculpture, for example, the statue of David.
A.including paintings, for example, in the Sistine Chapel, to sculpture, for example,
B.including paintings, for example, in the Sistine Chapel, to sculpture, like
C.including paintings, such as those in the Sistine Chapel, and sculpture, as
D.ranging from paintings, such as those in the Sistine Chapel, to sculpture, such as
E.ranging from paintings, such as in the Sistine Chapel, and sculpture, such as
A B C D E
D
[解析] Parallelism; Rhetorical Construction This sentence names painting and sculpture as two of the many kinds of art created by Michelangelo and provides examples of his work in those two art forms. Although the two sets of examples are expressed in parallel form, the position of the phrase for example that introduces them creates a choppy and awkward sentence since it must be surrounded by commas. A more concise way to construct parallel sets of examples is to express each using a phrase introduced by such as. A The sentence is choppy and awkward due to the twofold use of the phrase for example, which must be surrounded by commas. The preposition to, in context, suggests a range, but it would then be needed to be preceded by from. B The examples of art are not in parallel form since the first is introduced by for example followed by the prepositional phrase in the Sistine Chapel, and the second is introduced by the prepositional phrase like...The preposition to is unidiomatic and awkwardly used here. C The examples of art are not in parallel form since the first is introduced by such as, and the second is introduced by as. D Correct. The examples of art are in parallel form, each introduced with the words such as. E Although the examples of art are both introduced by such as, the form is not parallel since the first is a prepositional phrase (in the Sistine Chapel) and the second is a noun phrase (the statue of David). The correct answer is D.
35. By devising an instrument made from a rod, wire, and lead balls, and employing uncommonly precise measurements, in 1797-1798 Henry Cavendish's apparatus enabled him to arrive at an astonishingly accurate figure for the weight of the earth.
A.By devising an instrument made from a rod, wire, and lead balls, and employing uncommonly precise measurements, in 1797-1798 Henry Cavendish's apparatus enabled him
B.In 1797-1798, by devising an instrument made from a rod, wire, and lead balls, and employing uncommonly precise measurements, Henry Cavendish's apparatus enabled him
C.Henry Cavendish devised an instrument made from a rod, wire, and lead balls, and employed uncommonly precise measurements, and in 1797-1798 was able
D.Having devised an instrument from a rod, wire, and lead balls, and employment of uncommonly precise measurements, Henry Cavendish in 1797-1798 was able
E.By devising an instrument made from a rod, wire, and lead balls, and employing uncommonly precise measurements, Henry Cavendish was able in 1797-1798
A B C D E
E
[解析] Logical predication; Rhetorical construction The core of this sentence's idea is either the verb enable, which must have its logically correct subject Henry Cavendish's apparatus, or be able, with the subject Henry Cavendish; these subjects must also be able to supply the correct subjects for any other verbs that have understood subjects. The sentence should also clearly express the two things that enabled Cavendish's accomplishment (devising the instrument and employing precise measurement). A. Devising needs a subject supplied from elsewhere in the sentence, but the only available subject is the illogical Henry Cavendish's apparatus (an apparatus does not "devise" anything). B. Devising needs a subject supplied from elsewhere in the sentence, but the only option is the illogical Henry Cavendish's apparatus. C. Connecting the three parts of the sentence with two occurrences of and is awkward; the first two parts are best connected by and, but the final portion expressing what Cavendish achieved would be better expressed, for example, as a new sentence beginning, In 1797-1798, he employed. D. This variant seems to suggest, illogically, that Cavendish devised an instrument from several objects plus employment; using employed instead of employment of would be one way of correctly pairing his two actions. E. Correct. The verbs devising, employing, and was able have their correct logical subject (Henry Cavendish), and the actions of devising and employing are paired clearly, with by understood before employing. The correct answer is E.
36. Despite the increasing number of women graduating from law school and passing bar examinations, the proportion of judges and partners at major law firms who are women have not risen to a comparable extent.
A.the proportion of judges and partners at major law firms who are women have not risen to a comparable extent
B.the proportion of women judges and partners at major law firms have not risen comparably
C.the proportion of judges and partners at major law firms who are women has not risen comparably
D.yet the proportion of women judges and partners at major law firms has not risen to a comparable extent
E.yet the proportion of judges and partners at major law firms who are women has not risen comparably
A B C D E
C
[解析] Agreement; Rhetorical construction When a number of plural nouns appear in phrases between a singular subject and the verb, it can be easy to overlook the true subject of the verb. Here, judges, partners, firms, and women all occur between the singular subject, proportion, and the verb, which should also be singular, has risen. Concise expression is particularly important in a long construction; to a comparable extent may be more concisely expressed as comparably. A. Plural verb, have risen, does not agree with the singular subject, proportion. B. Have risen does not agree with proportion; here, women applies only to judges, not to partners at major law firms. C. Correct. In this sentence, has risen agrees with proportion, and comparably is more concise than to a comparable extent. The modifying clause who are women follows (1)judges and (2)partners at major law firms as closely as is possible given the content of the sentence; this positioning has the virtue of being dear in its meaning. D. The contrast has already been introduced by despite, so the addition of yet is illogical and ungrammatical; to a comparable extent is wordy. E. Despite introduces the contrast; adding yet is illogical and results in an ungrammatical construction. The correct answer is C.
37. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) had long been expected to announce a reduction in output to bolster sagging oil prices, but officials of the organization just recently announced that the group will pare daily production by 1.5 million barrels by the beginning of next year, but only if non-OPEC nations, including Norway, Mexico, and Russia, were to trim output by a total of 500,000 barrels a day.
A.year, but only if non-OPEC nations, including Norway, Mexico, and Russia, were to trim output
B.year, but only if the output of non-OPEC nations, which includes Norway, Mexico, and Russia, is trimmed
C.year only if the output of non-OPEC nations, including Norway, Mexico, and Russia, would be trimmed
D.year only if non-OPEC nations, which includes Norway, Mexico, and Russia, were trimming output
E.year only if non-OPEC nations, including Norway, Mexico, and Russia, trim output
A B C D E
E
[解析] Rhetorical Construction; Logical Predication The underlined part of this sentence deals with the conditions under which OPEC members will lower their own oil production by 1.5 million barrels by the beginning of next year. The important thing to notice here is the following logical relation: X will do something only if Y does something else. A This version has redundant words, were to in front of trim, that do not add anything more in meaning. Furthermore, were to trim is not the proper verb form to accompany will pare. The addition of but before only is also redundant. B This version uses the passive construction in the conditional clause only if the output... is trimmed. This use of the passive voice makes this sentence vague; it is now unclear who needs to trim the output of non-OPEC nations. Finally, the addition of but before only is redundant. C As in (B), this version also introduces vagueness by using the passive construction. In addition, would in front of the passive verb be trimmed is redundant. D This version uses an active verb, but in the past progressive form, were trimming. The progressive tense denotes actions in progress, so its use is not normally warranted in conditional sentences such as this one. E Correct. This version uses the correct and most concise conditional structure, without redundancies. The correct answer is E.
38. A new satellite sweeping over the poles at altitudes of up to 32,000 miles is called POLAR, giving scientists their best look yet at the magnetosphere, the region of space under the invisible influence of Earth's magnetic field.
A.A new satellite sweeping over the poles at altitudes of up to 32,000 miles is called POLAR, giving scientists their best look yet at the magnetosphere, the region of space under the invisible influence of Earth's magnetic field.
B.A new satellite called POLAR that is giving scientists their best look yet at the magnetosphere, the region of space under the invisible influence of Earth's magnetic field, sweeping over the poles at altitudes of up to 32,000 miles.
C.Scientists are getting their best look yet at the magnetosphere, the region of space under the invisible influence of Earth's magnetic field, from a new satellite sweeping over the poles at altitudes of up to 32,000 miles called POLAR.
D.Sweeping over the poles at altitudes of up to 32,000 miles, a new satellite called POLAR is giving scientists their best look yet at the magnetosphere, the region of space under the invisible influence of Earth's magnetic field.
E.Sweeping over the poles at altitudes of up to 32,000 miles, scientists' best look yet at the magnetosphere, the region of space under the invisible influence of Earth's magnetic field, is coming from a new satellite called POLAR.
A B C D E
D
[解析] Logical predication; Grammatical construction The point of the sentence is that a new satellite is giving scientists their best look yet at the magnetosphere. As the sentence is written, the participial phrase giving scientists... magnetosphere illogically modifies the preceding clause A new... is called POLAR, suggesting illogically that the naming of the satellite is what provides scientists with a look at the magnetosphere. The sentence can be constructed more clearly with satellite as the subject of the main clause and is giving as its verb. A. The participial phrase giving scientists... magnetosphere illogically modifies the whole preceding clause, rather than satellite. B. The subject satellite has no corresponding verb that would create an independent clause; the word that introduces a subordinate clause, and the overall result is merely a sentence fragment. C. The modifier called POLAR is awkwardly placed too far away from the word satellite, which it is intended to modify; in its current incorrect position, it appears to modify altitudes. D. Correct. The sentence is constructed clearly with satellite and is giving as the subject and verb of the main clause, and the modifiers are placed appropriately near the words they are meant to modify. E. Sweeping incorrectly modifies look, and the main subject lode is awkwardly paired with the verb is coming from. The correct answer is D.
39. As sources of electrical power, windmills now account for only about 2,500 megawatts nationwide, but production is almost expected to double by the end of the year, which would provide enough electricity for 1.3 million households.
A.almost expected to double by the end of the year, which would provide
B.almost expected that it will double by the end of the year, thus providing
C.expected that it will almost double by the end of the year to provide
D.expected almost to double by the end of the year and thus to provide
E.expected almost to double by the end of the year, which would thus be providing
A B C D E
D
[解析] Rhetorical Construction; Idiom The intended meaning of the sentence seems to be that the electricity production of windmills is expected to approximately double by year's end. But instead of saying almost double, we have almost expected, which is an unclear idea. Also unclear is what the relative pronoun which refers to. A The placement of almost makes it nonsensically modify is expected. What the relative pronoun which refers to is ambiguous: for example, does it refer to the expectation, the possible doubling, or the year? B The resulting sentence misplaces the adverb almost. C The phrase production is expected that it will... makes no sense—as opposed to, for example, it is expected that production will.... D Correct. This sentence clearly conveys the expectations of production: almost to double and thus to provide. There is no ambiguity as to what will be providing enough electricity. E The referent of the relative pronoun which is ambiguous, and the conditional verb form would thus be providing is unnecessarily wordy. The correct answer is D.
40. On the tournament roster are listed several tennis students, most all of which play as good as their instructors.
A.most all of which play as good
B.most all of whom play as good
C.almost all of which play as well
D.almost all of whom play as good
E.almost all of whom play as well
A B C D E
E
[解析] Idiom; Diction The standard formal, written word to express a quantity just short of everything is almost, not most. With animate entities such as people, who(m) is preferred over which. For all but a few exceptional verbs, adverbial modifiers (well) are correct as opposed to adjectival ones (good). A. None of most, which, or good are the preferred forms. B. Most and good are not the correct standard forms. C. Although almost and well are fine, which is not. D. Although almost and whom are fine, good is not. E. Correct. All of almost, whom, and well are correct. The correct answer is E.
41. Twenty-two feet long and 10 feet in diameter, the AM-1 is one of the many new satellites that is a part of 15 years effort of subjecting the interactions of Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land surfaces to detailed scrutiny from space.
A.satellites that is a part of 15 years effort of subjecting the interactions of Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land surfaces
B.satellites, which is a part of a 15-year effort to subject how Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land surfaces interact
C.satellites, part of 15 years effort of subjecting how Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land surfaces are interacting
D.satellites that are part of an effort for 15 years that has subjected the interactions of Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land surfaces
E.satellites that are part of a 15-year effort to subject the interactions of Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land surfaces
A B C D E
E
[解析] Rhetorical construction; Logical predication This sentence describes one satellite and identifies it as part of a larger space project designed to scrutinize Earth's ocean, land, and atmospheric interactions. The relative pronoun that refers to satellites, so it should be followed by a plural verb. The idiomatic expression is effort to rather than effort of. The correct adjectival term is 15-year rather than 15years. A. The relative pronoun that refers to satellites, so it should be followed by the plural verb are; effort to is the correct idiomatic expression; as an adjective, 15years becomes 15-year. B. In this version of the sentence, it is unclear what the relative pronoun which refers to—if it refers to satellites, it should be followed by a plural verb. Presenting the object of the verb subject as a phrase beginning with how and ending with the verb interact produces a sentence that seems to be about how various conditions react to detailed scrutiny from space. C. This sentence too seems to be making a nonsensical statement about how conditions are interacting to detailed scrutiny. It is not clear whether part refers to satellites or the AM-1. D. This version is wordy and confusing because of the sequence of relative clauses beginning with that. E. Correct. The sentence is clearly worded and logically coherent. The correct answer is E.
42. While many of the dinosaur fossils found recently in northeast China seem to provide evidence of the kinship between dinosaurs and birds, the wealth of enigmatic fossils seem more likely at this stage that they will inflame debates over the origin of birds rather than settle them.
A.seem more likely at this stage that they will inflame debates over the origin of birds rather than
B.seem more likely that it will inflame debates over the origin of birds at this stage than
C.seems more likely to inflame debates on the origin of birds at this stage rather than
D.seems more likely at this stage to inflame debates over the origin of birds than to
E.seems more likely that it will inflame debates on the origin of birds at this stage than to
A B C D E
D
[解析] Agreement; Parallelism This sentence states that whereas many dinosaur fossils from China suggest that there is a kinship between dinosaurs and birds, the wealth of fossils are more ambiguous about what they suggest about the ancestry of birds. The word wealth is a mass noun followed by a prepositional phrase; because wealth follows the article the, the emphasis is on it rather than on the noun in the prepositional phrase, fossils. The singular wealth requires a singular main verb (seems). The comparative expression more likely... must be followed by an infinitive verb (to inflame) so it will be parallel to the verb with which it is compared (to settle). A The singular subject wealth does not agree with the plural verb seem; both items being compared should be in parallel form (inflame and settle); the relative clause that they will inflame violates the parallelism. B Again, the relative clause violates the desired parallelism; the singular subject, wealth, requires a singular verb, seems. C The subject and the verb agree with one another, but the placement of the modifier at this stage makes the modifier appear to describe origin of the birds rather than the verb seems. D Correct. The verb seems agrees in number with the noun wealth; the infinitive to inflame is parallel with the verb to which it is compared, to settle. E The clause wealth... seems more likely that it will inflame is not idiomatic, and that it will inflame is not parallel with the infinitive verb to settle. The correct answer is D.
43. It will not be possible to implicate melting sea ice in the coastal flooding that many global warming models have projected: just like a glass of water that will not overflow due to melting ice cubes, so melting sea ice does not increase oceanic volume.
A.like a glass of water that will not overflow due to melting ice cubes,
B.like melting ice cubes that do not cause a glass of water to overflow,
C.a glass of water will not overflow because of melting ice cubes,
D.as melting ice cubes that do not cause a glass of water to overflow,
E.as melting ice cubes do not cause a glass of water to overflow,
A B C D E
E
[解析] Diction; Parallelism The preposition like introduces nouns and noun phrases; the conjunction as introduces verbs or clauses, so as is required here. The comparative construction used here is just as x soy; x and y must be parallel. They clause is written in effective subject-verb-object order: melting sea ice does not increase oceanic volume. The original wordy, awkward x clause is not parallel. To make it parallel, melting ice cubes should be the subject of the clause, do not cause...to overflow the verb phrase, and a glass of water the object. A. Like is used in place of as; the two elements of comparison are not parallel. B. Like is used in place of as; that violates parallelism. C. As or just as is needed to introduce the clause; the two clauses are not parallel. D. That violates the parallelism of the two clauses and creates an ungrammatical construction. E. Correct. This sentence has just as properly introducing the first clause, and the two clauses are parallel. The correct answer is E.
44. The treasury market dropped in response to a decrease in the value of the dollar and to continued concern that the economy might be growing as fast as to accelerate inflation and drive interest rates higher.
A.that the economy might be growing as fast as
B.that the economy might be growing fast enough
C.with the economy's possibly growing so fast as
D.with the possibility of the economy growing fast enough so as
E.with the possibility of the economy possibly growing fast enough
A B C D E
B
[解析] Idiom; Rhetorical construction This sentence expresses a possible condition related to the relative speed of the economy's growth. The possible condition is expressed succinctly through the modal verb might in the subordinate clause that the economy might be growing. However, the correct idiom for expressing the relative speed is fast enough to precipitate negative economic consequences—not as fast as. A. As fast as is not the correct idiom. B. Correct. The possible condition is expressed succinctly using the modal verb might, and idioms are used correctly. C. Concern with is not the correct idiom; the phrases economy's possibly growing and so fast as to are wordy and awkward. D. Concern with is not the correct idiom; the phrase possibility of the economy growing fast enough so as to is wordy and awkward. E. Concern with is not the correct idiom; possibility and possibly are unnecessarily and awkwardly repetitive. The correct answer is B.
45. Japanese researchers are producing a series of robots that can identify human facial expressions, to which they will then respond; their goal is primarily creating a robot that will empathize with us.
A.expressions, to which they will then respond; their goal is primarily creating
B.expressions, then responding to them; primarily to create
C.expressions and then respond to them; the researchers' primary goal is to create
D.expressions as well as giving a response to them; their primary goal is creation of
E.expressions and responding to them; primarily, the researchers' goal is creating
A B C D E
C
[解析] Logical predication; Rhetorical construction This sentence uses two complete clauses to present two main topics—the capabilities of robots designed by Japanese researchers and the goal that motivates this design. The first clause most effectively uses a succession of parallel verbs to describe what the robots can do: identify expressions and respond to them. Beginning the second clause with the possessive pronoun their creates ambiguity, because it is not clear whether the pronoun refers to the robots or the researchers. A. The pronouns they and their in this version of the sentence are ambiguous, possibly referring to both researchers and robots. B. The phrase then responding to them should be converted to a main verb to parallel identify and to make clear that the robots can do these two things. The semicolon should be followed by a complete clause, but in this version of the sentence it is followed by an adverbial phrase. C. Correct. The wording is concise and unambiguous. D. The phrase as well as giving a response to them is wordy; the pronoun their is ambiguous. E. Responding is the wrong verb form—it should be an infinitive to parallel identify. The correct answer is C.
46. Certain pesticides can become ineffective if used repeatedly in the same place; one reason is suggested by the finding that there are much larger populations of pesticide-degrading microbes in soils with a relatively long history of pesticide use than in soils that are free of such chemicals.
A.Certain pesticides can become ineffective if used repeatedly in the same place; one reason is suggested by the finding that there are much larger populations of pesticide-degrading microbes in soils with a relatively long history of pesticide use than in soils that are free of such chemicals.
B.If used repeatedly in the same place, one reason that certain pesticides can become ineffective is suggested by the finding that there are much larger populations of pesticide-degrading microbes in soils with a relatively long history of pesticide use than in soils that are free of such chemicals.
C.If used repeatedly in the same place, one reason certain pesticides can become ineffective is suggested by the finding that much larger populations of pesticide-degrading microbes are found in soils with a relatively long history of pesticide use than those that are free of such chemicals.
D.The finding that there are much larger populations of pesticide-degrading microbes in soils with a relatively long history of pesticide use than in soils that are free of such chemicals is suggestive of one reason, if used repeatedly in the same place, certain pesticides can become ineffective.
E.The finding of much larger populations of pesticide-degrading microbes in soils with a relatively long history of pesticide use than in those that are free of such chemicals suggests one reason certain pesticides can become ineffective if used repeatedly in the same place.
A B C D E
A
[解析] Logical predication; Rhetorical construction The sentence is correctly constructed; it has two independent clauses connected by a semicolon. If used repeatedly in the same place clearly and correctly modifies certain pesticides. A. Correct. The sentence is correctly constructed; the modifier if used repeatedly in the same place is correctly placed. B. If used repeatedly in the same place modifies one reason when it should modify certain pesticides. C. If used repeatedly in the same place modifies one reason when it should modify certain pesticides. The absence of in in the phrase than those ... makes the comparison unclear. D. If used repeatedly in the same place ambiguously modifies one reason when it should clearly modify certain pesticides. E. The comparison the finding of much larger populations ... than in those that... is improperly constructed in a way that makes the finding appear to refer awkwardly to a discovery of larger populations rather than to a research conclusion about the presence of such populations. The correct answer is A.
47. In the seventh century B.C., the Roman alphabet was adapted from the Etruscan alphabet, which in turn had been adapted in the previous century from a western Greek alphabet, which itself had been adapted earlier in the same century from the Phoenician alphabet.
A.which itself had been adapted earlier
B.adapting itself earlier
C.itself being adapted earlier
D.having been earlier adapted itself
E.earlier itself having been adapted
A B C D E
A
[解析] Rhetorical Construction; Verb Form; Logical Predication This sentence describes a string of adaptations of the alphabet, tracing back from the seventh century BC through two points in the eighth century BC. Because the latest of the three adaptations is temporally located in past tense, earlier adaptations should be located in the past perfect tense. A Correct. This sentence is properly constructed and uses the appropriate verb forms for the relationships among the events that it describes. B It is unclear what the participial phrase adapting itself earlier... refers to. The present participle could be used for an event that was simultaneous with, or part of, the event mentioned before the underlined portion. However, it is inappropriate for describing an event that took place even earlier than the seventh century BC, which has already been designated in the sentence as past tense. The reflexive form adapting itself is nonsensical in this sentence. C The present tense of the reflexive participial phrase is inappropriate for describing an event prior to the seventh century BC, given that the seventh century BC has already been designated in the sentence as past tense. D Without commas around itself, the pronoun appears to be reflexive. The combination of passive and reflexive then makes no sense. If itself is intended simply for emphasis, rather than as a reflexive pronoun, it would be preferable, in this context, to set it off with commas. But if it were intended in that way, it would seem to refer to the Roman alphabet, and the claim made in the sentence would be confusing and nearly nonsensical. This modifier is confusingly placed before the designation of time (in the same century) and source (from the Phoenician alphabet). E The adverb earlier is misplaced before the pronoun itself, it should be immediately before the phrase in the same century. The correct answer is A.
48. Fossils of the arm of a sloth found in Puerto Rico in 1991, and dated at 34 million years old, made it the earliest known mammal of the Greater Antilles Islands.
A.sloth found in Puerto Rico in 1991, and dated at 34 million years old, made it the earliest known mammal of
B.sloth, that they found in Puerto Rico in 1991, has been dated at 34 million years old, thus making it the earliest mammal known on
C.sloth that was found in Puerto Rico in 1991, was dated at 34 million years old, making this the earliest known mammal of
D.sloth, found in Puerto Rico in 1991, have been dated at 34 million years old, making the sloth the earliest known mammal on
E.sloth which, found in Puerto Rico in 1991, was dated at 34 million years old, made the sloth the earliest known mammal of
A B C D E
D
[解析] Agreement; Logical Predication The subject of the sentence is the plural fossils, not sloth, and therefore requires a plural verb. It therefore does not have a singular antecedent. To clarify the identification of the oldest known mammal, the noun the sloth must be explicitly identified. A Because sloth is the object of a preposition and not the subject of the sentence, there is no reasonable antecedent for the pronoun it; in this construction, the subject of made is fossils, but it makes no sense to say that the fossils made it the earliest known mammal. B The introduction of the mysterious they, a pronoun without a reference, adds confusion to this sentence; the singular verb does not agree with the plural subject. C The relative clause that was ... is wordy and awkward; the singular verb does not agree with the plural subject. D Correct. The plural verb agrees with its plural subject, and the sloth is explicitly identified as the earliest known mammal. E The singular verb does not agree with the plural subject. The correct answer is D.
49. Analysts blamed May's sluggish retail sales on unexciting merchandise as well as the weather, colder and wetter than was usual in some regions, which slowed sales of barbecue grills and lawn furniture.
A.colder and wetter than was usual in some regions, which slowed
B.which was colder and wetter than usual in some regions, slowing
C.since it was colder and wetter than usually in some regions, which slowed
D.being colder and wetter than usually in some regions, slowing
E.having been colder and wetter than was usual in some regions and slowed
A B C D E
B
[解析] Logical predication; Diction The sentence must clearly indicate that the inclement weather had slowed retail sales. Relative pronouns, such as which, should follow as closely as possible the nouns to which they refer. The adjective usual, rather than the adverb usually, is required when modifying a noun. The phrase wetter than usual is correct and concise. A. The insertion of was is unnecessary and misleading. The referent of which is unclear, because regions, not weather, is the nearest noun. B. Correct. This sentence is concise, correct, and idiomatic, and which has a clear referent, the weather. C. With the linking verb was, the adjective usual is needed in place of the adverb usually. The referent of which is unclear because regions, not weather, is the nearest noun. D. This construction is unclear and can be seen as unintentionally indicating that the analysts were colder and wetter. The adjective usual should be used instead of the adverb usually to modify the noun weather. E. This construction is unclear and can be seen as unintentionally indicating that the analysts were colder and wetter. The insertion of was is unnecessary and misleading. The correct answer is B.
50. By 1999, astronomers had discovered 17 nearby stars that are orbited by planets about the size of Jupiter.
A.had discovered 17 nearby stars that are orbited by planets
B.had discovered 17 nearby stars with planets orbiting them that were
C.had discovered that there were 17 nearby stars that were orbited by planets
D.have discovered 17 nearby stars with planets orbiting them that are
E.have discovered that 17 nearby stars are orbited by planets
A B C D E
A
[解析] Verb Form; Rhetorical Construction Opening with a past date (1999) describing the end point of a period of discovery, this sentence calls for a past perfect main verb to follow the subject astronomers. In order to economize on words and maximize clarity, the object of the main clause, stars, is modified by a passive relative clause that are orbited by planets followed by the adjective phrase about the size of Jupiter. This structure avoids an awkward and confusing string of relative clauses and prepositional phrases. A Correct. This version is clear and uses the correct verb form had discovered. B The use of a prepositional phrase with planets necessitates the introduction of a relative clause that were in which the referent of the relative pronoun that is somewhat uncertain (stars? or planets?). The past tense verb were suggests, improbably, that the size of the planets may have changed significantly since 1999. C The string of relative clauses is awkward and wordy. D If the sentence was written after 1999, the present perfect tense is illogical, because 1999 is in the past. If it was written in 1999, this way of referring to the then-present time is odd and misleading. The prepositional phrase is wordy and indirect. E As in (D), the present perfect tense is illogical. The correct answer is A.