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 all the more imperative, in an alien and hostile land, that they should be able to inhabit a space which they could claim as their own, and to which they could offer their attachment.

  1. that they should be able to inhabit a space which they could claim as their own, and to which they could offer their attachment

  2. that they are able to inhabit a space which they could claim as their own, and to which they could offer their attachment

  3. that they be able to inhabit a space which they could claim as their own, and to which they could offer their attachment

  4. that they should be able to inhabit a space which they claim as their own, and to which they offer their attachment

  5. that they be able to inhabit a space which they claim as their own, and to which they offer their attachment

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

'Imperative' underlines the importance of ability to inherit. The latter will, therefore, not take the auxiliary/modal 'should'.  This option rectifies the error.