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.

But if we are to understand science merely as a band of light moving through time, advancing on the darkness, and leaving ignorant darkness behind it, always at its best only in the incandescent present, we would turn our backs on an epic tale of ingenuity propelled by curiosity.

  1. But if we are to understand science merely as a band of light moving through time, advancing on

  2. But if we understand science merely as a band of light moving through time, advancing on

  3. But if we were to understand science merely as a band of light moving through time, advancing on

  4. But if we have to understand science merely as a band of light moving through time, advancing on

  5. But if we had to understand science merely as a band of light moving through time, advancing on
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Note the latter part of the sentence: 'we would turn our backs'.  This means the first part of the sentence is about a conditionality that is not real. This conditionality will then take the subjunctive verb 'were'. This option does just that. 

Keep practicing — related questions