Multiple choice

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part 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. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

It was found that a mass of the living roots of the old strong elm near had twined about and entered the structure through the apertures.

  1. the living roots of the old strong elm near

  2. the living roots of an old strong elm near

  3. living roots of old strong elm nearby

  4. the living roots of the old and strong elm near

  5. the living roots of an old strong elm near by
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The sentence bears errors of indefinite article ('the old strong elm' should be 'an old elm' because 'the' is used before a specific thing) and error of adjective ('near' should be 'near by'). This option corrects the twin errors of indefinite article and the adjective of location 'near by'.

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