Multiple choice

Directions: The following sentence tests correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of the sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Option (1) repeats the original phrasing; the other four options are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select option (1); if not, select one of the other options.

When a student chooses to live in the university dormitories, they can live independently and gaily.

  1. they can live independently and gaily

  2. they live in an independent manner and gaily

  3. he can live independently and gaily

  4. they can line both independently and gaily

  5. gaily and independently he can live
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Option (3): The mistake lies in the subject and pronoun agreement. The subject ‘student’ is singular, so the pronoun ‘he’ should be used. Options (2) and (3) make use of unnecessary words ‘manner’ and ‘both’, respectively, and use a plural pronoun. There is a phrasing problem in option (5).

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