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.

The travails of life, whether by human design or by nature's, strengthens one's character and bearing.

  1. The travails of life, whether by human design or by nature's, strengthens one's character and bearing.

  2. The travails of life, whether by human design or by nature's, strengthen one's character and bearing.

  3. The travails of life, whether by human design or by natures, strengthens one's character and bearing.

  4. The travails of life, human or natural, strengthens one's character and bearing.

  5. The travails of life, human or natural, strengthen one's character and bearing.

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

The subject is plural 'travails'. The singular verb 'strengthens' does not agree with the subject. This option corrects the error.