Marco won a trophy each of the three times he competed in the junior tennis tournament, but still the first prize eluded him.
- A. eluded
- B. alluded
- C. elided
- D. allied
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
In this context, "eluded" means that the first prize was out of Marco's reach despite his successes, which fits the sentence perfectly. Option B, "alluded," refers to making an indirect reference, which does not apply here. Option C, "elided," means to omit or leave out, which does not convey the intended meaning of something being out of reach. Option D, "allied," means to join or unite, which is irrelevant in this context. Thus, "eluded" accurately captures the sense of a goal that remains unattained despite effort.
In this context, "eluded" means that the first prize was out of Marco's reach despite his successes, which fits the sentence perfectly. Option B, "alluded," refers to making an indirect reference, which does not apply here. Option C, "elided," means to omit or leave out, which does not convey the intended meaning of something being out of reach. Option D, "allied," means to join or unite, which is irrelevant in this context. Thus, "eluded" accurately captures the sense of a goal that remains unattained despite effort.
Other Related Questions
Which of the following is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 6 (reproduced below)? Some researchers have cited this evidence as it made an argument that MSA hunters were less skilled than LSA hunters.
- A. (as it is now)
- B. evidence and were making
- C. evidence, having made
- D. evidence to make
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Option D clarifies the relationship between the evidence and the argument, indicating that the evidence was used to support the claim about MSA hunters. This creates a clear and logical connection. Option A retains the original phrasing, which is vague and awkward, failing to effectively convey the intended meaning. Option B uses "and were making," which introduces unnecessary complexity and shifts the focus away from the evidence itself. Option C's "having made" implies a completed action that does not align with the ongoing nature of the argument being presented.
Option D clarifies the relationship between the evidence and the argument, indicating that the evidence was used to support the claim about MSA hunters. This creates a clear and logical connection. Option A retains the original phrasing, which is vague and awkward, failing to effectively convey the intended meaning. Option B uses "and were making," which introduces unnecessary complexity and shifts the focus away from the evidence itself. Option C's "having made" implies a completed action that does not align with the ongoing nature of the argument being presented.
Which of the following is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 12 (reproduced below)? Cavendish bananas might appear to be strong, with its thick skins and ability to be shipped long distances without rotting or even bruising.
- A. (as it is now)
- B. its'
- C. their
- D. there
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
In this context, "Cavendish bananas" is plural, so using "their" is appropriate to match the subject. This option correctly indicates possession, referring to the bananas' thick skins. Option A maintains the original phrasing, which incorrectly uses "its," a singular possessive pronoun, creating a mismatch with the plural subject. Option B, "its'," is also incorrect as it implies a possessive form that doesn't apply here, and it is not a standard grammatical form. Option D, "there," is unrelated to possession and does not fit the context of the sentence.
In this context, "Cavendish bananas" is plural, so using "their" is appropriate to match the subject. This option correctly indicates possession, referring to the bananas' thick skins. Option A maintains the original phrasing, which incorrectly uses "its," a singular possessive pronoun, creating a mismatch with the plural subject. Option B, "its'," is also incorrect as it implies a possessive form that doesn't apply here, and it is not a standard grammatical form. Option D, "there," is unrelated to possession and does not fit the context of the sentence.
Which is the best way to combine sentences 6 and 7 (reproduced below)? The poet expressed reluctance to proceed in this manner. It was not customary for him to write a commissioned poem for a certain occasion.
- A. The poet expressed reluctance to proceed in this manner, and the reason for that was because it was not customary for him to write a commissioned poem for a certain occasion.
- B. The poet expressed reluctance to proceed in this manner because it was not customary for him to write a commissioned poem for a certain occasion.
- C. Because the poet expressed reluctance to proceed in this manner, it was not customary for him to write a commissioned poem for a certain occasion.
- D. The poet expressed reluctance, because it was not customary for him to write a commissioned poem for a certain occasion, to proceed in this manner.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B effectively combines the two sentences by clearly linking the poet's reluctance directly to the unconventional nature of writing a commissioned poem. This structure maintains clarity and conciseness, allowing the reader to understand the cause-and-effect relationship without unnecessary words. Option A is overly complex and uses "and the reason for that was because," which adds redundancy and weakens the sentence's impact. Option C incorrectly implies that the reluctance is a consequence of the customary practice, rather than the other way around, misrepresenting the relationship. Option D disrupts the natural flow of the sentence by placing "to proceed in this manner" at the end, making it awkward and less direct.
Option B effectively combines the two sentences by clearly linking the poet's reluctance directly to the unconventional nature of writing a commissioned poem. This structure maintains clarity and conciseness, allowing the reader to understand the cause-and-effect relationship without unnecessary words. Option A is overly complex and uses "and the reason for that was because," which adds redundancy and weakens the sentence's impact. Option C incorrectly implies that the reluctance is a consequence of the customary practice, rather than the other way around, misrepresenting the relationship. Option D disrupts the natural flow of the sentence by placing "to proceed in this manner" at the end, making it awkward and less direct.
Which of the following is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 3 (reproduced below)? Agricultural activities can disrupt animal's natural habitats.
- A. (as it is now)
- B. animal's natural habitat's.
- C. animals' natural habitats.
- D. animals natural habitats
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C, "animals' natural habitats," is the best choice because it correctly uses the plural possessive form. Since multiple animals are affected, the apostrophe is placed after "animals" to indicate that the habitats belong to them. Option A retains the original error of using the singular possessive "animal's," which is incorrect when referring to multiple animals. Option B incorrectly adds an unnecessary apostrophe after "habitat," suggesting possession that does not apply here, leading to confusion. Option D lacks the necessary apostrophe to indicate possession, making it grammatically incorrect.
Option C, "animals' natural habitats," is the best choice because it correctly uses the plural possessive form. Since multiple animals are affected, the apostrophe is placed after "animals" to indicate that the habitats belong to them. Option A retains the original error of using the singular possessive "animal's," which is incorrect when referring to multiple animals. Option B incorrectly adds an unnecessary apostrophe after "habitat," suggesting possession that does not apply here, leading to confusion. Option D lacks the necessary apostrophe to indicate possession, making it grammatically incorrect.