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.

To approach the natural world as if it was a clock mechanism required two changes: first, nature has to be imagined as essentially dead, and second, the scientist has to place a distance between himself and nature.

  1. To approach the natural world as if it was a clock mechanism required two changes

  2. To approach the natural world as if it had been a clock mechanism required two changes

  3. To approach the natural world as if it had been a clock mechanism requires two changes

  4. To approach the natural world as if it is a clock mechanism requires two changes

  5. To approach the natural world as if it were a clock mechanism would require two changes
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The original sentence is about a supposition. So, it would take the subjunctive 'were'. Also, the supposition is not about the past. So, the correct participle form is 'would require' inappropriate.

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