Multiple choice

Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.

Let two separate portions of tea leaves be macerated by precisely the same processes in similar and separate vessels, the one containing harder and the other softer water, either hotter or cooler, the infusion made with the soft water will have by far a strongest taste, although it possesses less color than the infusion made with the hard water.

  1. the one containing harder and the other softer water, either hotter or cooler, the infusion made with the soft water will have by far a strongest taste,

  2. one containing hard water and other soft, either hotter or colder the infusion made with the soft water will have by far the strongest taste,

  3. one containing hard or soft water, either hot or cold, the infusion made with soft water will have by far the strongest taste,

  4. one containing hard water and the other soft, either hot or cold; the infusion made with soft water will have by far a stronger taste,

  5. one containing hard water and other soft, either hot or cold, the infusion made with soft water will have by far the strongest taste,
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The sentence bears error of article and degree of adjective. Use of ‘the’ before ‘soft water’ is incorrect because the sentence is not talking about a particular soft water. Containing ‘harder and softer water’ is incorrect because the sentence is not drawing comparison. Similarly, use of hotter or cooler is incorrect. And ‘of strongest taste’ is incorrect because the sentence is drawing comparison between the taste of beverage made with hot water and made with cold water, so it should be ‘of stronger taste’. This option corrects all the errors.

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