Multiple choice

Directions: In the given question, select the option that expresses the central idea in the most clear, concise and correct manner.

  1. When rates were raised in 2010, postal service officials predicted that the increase would make further rate increases unnecessary for at least five years.

  2. When rates were raised in 2010, postal service officials predicted they would mean that further rate increases would not be needed for at least five years.

  3. When rates were raised in 2010, postal service officials predicted that it would not be unnecessary for further rate increases for at least five years.

  4. When rates were raised in 2010, postal service officials predicted further rated increases will not be needed for at least five years.

  5. When rates were raised in 2010, postal service officials had predicted that further rate increases for at least five years it would not be necessary.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The use of pronoun 'they' in (2) and the use of 'will' in (4) make the sentences incorrect. Since the sentence is in past tense (raised), 'would' must be used in the second half of the sentence. In (3), the double negation (not be unnecessary) changes the meaning of the sentence. If the rates were raised recently, it will not be necessary to raise them again for minimum of five years. When time reference is being made (in 2010), we need to use simple past tense in place of past perfect (had predicted). Thus only (1) is the best way of writing the sentence; hence option (1) is the answer.

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