Agreement
The collection of field notes ___ stored in the university archive.
A. are B. were C. is D. have been
C. “Collection” is singular
The museum updated ___ website after the exhibit opened.
A. their B. its C. it’s D. they’re
B. “Museum” is singular; possessive pronoun has no apostrophe.
During the 1920s, the artist ___ several murals for public buildings.
A. paints B. painted C. has painted D. painting
B. Past-time phrase requires past tense.
Covered in fresh snow, the hikers admired the mountain.
What is the modifier error?
It sounds like the hikers are covered in snow; the modifier should be next to “mountain.”
Covered in fresh snow, the hikers admired the mountain.
What is the modifier error?
It sounds like the hikers are covered in snow; the modifier should be next to “mountain.”
Among the most surprising findings ___ the discovery of a second settlement.
A. were B. are C. is D. have been
C. Inverted structure; subject is “discovery,” singular.
200 Each of the samples was labeled before ___ was sent to the laboratory.
A. they B. their C. it D. them
C. “Each” is singular.
For more than a decade, astronomers ___ changes in the star’s brightness.
A. observe B. observed C. have observed D. observing
C. Action extends from past to present.
After analyzing the data for weeks, the pattern became clear to the researchers.
What should follow the comma?
The researchers. They are the ones analyzing the data.
After analyzing the data for weeks, the pattern became clear to the researchers.
What should follow the comma?
The researchers. They are the ones analyzing the data.
The discovery of several artifacts, along with notes from earlier excavations, ___ the team’s theory.
A. support B. supports C. have supported D. were supporting
B. “Discovery” is the singular subject.
The researchers studied several coral species and compared ___ responses to warmer water.
A. its B. it’s C. their D. there
C. “Several coral species” is plural.
The mineral, commonly ___ in volcanic rock, is valued for its durability.
A. finds B. found C. finding D. has found
B. “Found” modifies mineral; main verb is “is valued.”
Choose the best revision:
Designed to withstand extreme heat, engineers tested the material repeatedly.
A. same B. Designed to withstand extreme heat, the material was tested repeatedly. C. Engineers, designed to withstand extreme heat, tested the material repeatedly.
B. The material was designed to withstand heat
Choose the best revision:
Designed to withstand extreme heat, engineers tested the material repeatedly.
A. same B. Designed to withstand extreme heat, the material was tested repeatedly. C. Engineers, designed to withstand extreme heat, tested the material repeatedly.
B. The material was designed to withstand heat.
Neither the paintings in the hallway nor the sculpture near the entrance ___ part of the original collection.
A. were B. are C. was D. have been
C. The nearer subject “sculpture” is singular.
The manuscript had been copied by many scribes, but ___ original author remains unknown.
A. their B. its C. it’s D. theirs
B. The manuscript’s author = its author.
By the time the expedition arrived, earlier surveyors ___ the coastline.
A. mapped B. had mapped C. have mapped D. map
B. Past perfect for earlier past action.
Having spent years studying the species, the decline in its population alarmed the biologist.
Fix the opening structure.
Having spent years studying the species, the biologist was alarmed by the decline in its population.
Having spent years studying the species, the decline in its population alarmed the biologist.
Fix the opening structure.
Having spent years studying the species, the biologist was alarmed by the decline in its population.
Buried beneath centuries of sediment ___ evidence of a much older settlement.
A. were B. are C. have been D. is
D. Inverted order; subject is “evidence,” singular.
The survival of migrating birds depends on protecting the wetlands where ___ rest during long journeys.
A. it B. its C. they D. them
C. Pronoun refers to plural “birds.”
The theory, which many researchers now ___ supported by new evidence, challenges an older model.
A. considering B. considered C. consider D. to consider
C. The clause needs a working present-tense verb.
Built in the early eighteenth century, tourists still visit the castle today.
Give the best full revision.
Built in the early eighteenth century, the castle still attracts tourists today.
Built in the early eighteenth century, tourists still visit the castle today.
Give the best full revision.
Built in the early eighteenth century, the castle still attracts tourists today.