Choice (D) is correct. It avoids the error of the original by making the singular verb, "shows," agree with its singular subject, "evidence" (not with the plural interrupting nouns, "surveys and interviews").
Explanation for Incorrect Answer A :
Choice (A) has an error in subject-verb agreement. The plural verb "show" agrees with interrupting nouns ("surveys and interviews") but not with its singular subject, "evidence."
Explanation for Incorrect Answer B :
Choice (B) contains an error in subject-verb agreement. The plural verb "show" agrees with interrupting nouns ("surveys and interviews") but not with its singular subject, "evidence."
Explanation for Incorrect Answer C :
Choice (C) involves an inappropriate idiom. Between the noun phrase "high school friendships" and the verbal phrase "to last," the verbal form "tending" is less effective than the verb "tend."
Explanation for Incorrect Answer E :
Choice (E) includes an error in subject-verb agreement. The singular verb "tends" agrees with the interrupting noun ("school") but not with its plural subject, "friendships."
12
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
Explanation for Correct Answer B :
Choice (B) is correct. It avoids the error of the original by using the singular noun "duo" to designate one singing group with two members (Steve and Rick).
Explanation for Incorrect Answer A :
Choice (A) has an error in noun agreement. Since Steve and Rick would join together to form one singing group, the plural noun "duos" is incorrect.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer C :
Choice (C) contains an error in noun agreement. Since Steve and Rick would join together to form one singing group, the plural noun "duos" is incorrect.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer D :
Choice (D) displays wordiness. The phrase "that they would become" can be reduced to two words, "to become."
Explanation for Incorrect Answer E :
Choice (E) uses an inappropriate idiom. After the noun "determination," the phrase "to become" is more idiomatic than the phrase "of becoming."
13
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
Explanation for Correct Answer C :
Choice (C) is correct. It avoids the error of the original by using a semicolon to connect two complete thoughts ("Before reading . . . the sports section" and "my brother . . . comics first").
Explanation for Incorrect Answer A :
Choice (A) uses improper coordination. Two complete thoughts ("Before reading . . . the sports section" and "my brother . . . comics first") are connected by only a comma.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer B :
Choice (B) displays wordiness. The pronoun "he" unnecessarily repeats the noun "brother."
Explanation for Incorrect Answer D :
Choice (D) involves imprecise modification. The preposition "with" indicates only that one action accompanies another; it does not suggest the contrast between the actions of brother and sister.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer E :
Choice (E) exhibits an error in coordination. The phrase after the semicolon has no verb (only the verbal "reading"), so it does not state a complete thought.
14
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
Explanation for Correct Answer D :
Choice (D) is correct. It avoids the error of the original by using the word "although" to subordinate the first clause ("Jacob Lawrence . . . modern urban life") and clearly indicate its contrasting relationship with the later independent clause ("his celebrated painting . . . Harriet Tubman").
Explanation for Incorrect Answer A :
Choice (A) involves ineffective coordination. The conjunction "and" links two complete thoughts ("Jacob Lawrence . . . modern urban life" and "his celebrated painting . . . Harriet Tubman"), but it does not indicate their contrasting relationship.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer B :
Choice (B) exhibits improper coordination. Two complete thoughts ("Jacob Lawrence . . . modern urban life" and "his celebrated painting . . . Harriet Tubman") are connected by only a comma.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer C :
Choice (C) displays improper coordination. There should be a semicolon before "however," which introduces the second independent clause in the sentence. As is, two complete thoughts ("Jacob Lawrence . . . modern urban life" and "his celebrated painting . . . Harriet Tubman") are incorrectly joined by a comma.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer E :
Choice (E) uses an inappropriate idiom. In introducing the first clause, the phrase "Inasmuch as" incorrectly implies a cause or a degree rather than a contrast.
