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.

Having convinced herself about the futility of any strict regimen, she ignored the suggestion that she should get more exercise.

  1. she ignored the suggestion that she should get more exercise

  2. she ignored the suggestion for more exercise

  3. she ignored the suggestion for getting more of exercise

  4. she ignored the suggestion that she get more exercise

  5. she ignored the suggestion that she be getting more exercise

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

Explanation for (1): The rule of importance demands that ‘should’ be deleted.

Explanation for (2): This option changes the structure of the sentence.
Explanation for (3): This option changes the structure of the sentence.
Justification for (4): The rule of importance demands that ‘should’ be deleted. When a modifying clause stresses on the importance of the task, the helping verb is not required in the modified clause.  Explanation for (5): The option corrects the error of importance, but unnecessarily changes the voice and makes the sentence roundabout.