Multiple choice

Directions: Read the sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error or idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The number of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (5). (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any).

Experts believe that a (1)/gradually decreasing infant mortality rate (2) / is lead to a proportionate (3)/ decrease in the size of our brains. (4)/ No error (5).

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

  5. (5)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

'Gradually' is an adverb, but it's incorrectly modifying 'decreasing' (a verb form). To modify the noun phrase 'infant mortality rate,' we need the adjective 'gradual' not the adverb. The correct phrase should be 'a gradual decrease' or 'gradually decreasing rate' (rearranged).

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