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 student advisor recommended that she studies more English before enrolling at the university.

  1. that she studies more English before enrolling at the university

  2. that she studied more English before she enrolled at the university

  3. that she should study more English before enrolling at the university

  4. that she study more English before enrolling at the university

  5. that more English be studied by her before she enrolls at the university
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for (1): Recommend emphasizes importance. Hence, auxiliary form 'studies' should be replaced by 'study'.

Explanation for (2): The change of tense makes no coherent sense.

Explanation for (3): 'Should study' seems correct. But this violates the basic rule of 'importance' that where the modifying clause emphasizes importance of an action, the modified clause uses no auxiliary or modal.
Justification for (4): Recommend emphasizes importance. Hence, auxiliary form 'studies' should be replaced by 'study'. Explanation for (5): This option unnecessarily changes the voice.

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