Multiple choice

Directions: The following question presents a sentence, part of which or all 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.

When the technique known as gene-splicing was invented in the early 1970's, it was feared that scientists might inadvertently create an "Andromeda strain," a microbe never before seen on Earth that might escape from the laboratory and it would kill vast numbers of humans who would have no natural defenses against it.

  1. it would kill vast numbers of humans who would have no natural defenses against it

  2. it might kill vast numbers of humans with no natural defenses against it

  3. kill vast numbers of humans who would have no natural defenses against it

  4. kill vast numbers of humans who have no natural defenses against them

  5. kill vast numbers of humans with no natural defenses against them

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

C is correct because after the conjunction 'and,' the verb form should be base form to parallel 'escape' - so 'kill' is correct without an additional subject. A incorrectly adds 'it would' which creates an unnecessary subject and modal. B incorrectly adds 'it might' which is similarly redundant and changes the meaning. D incorrectly uses 'them' to refer back to 'microbe,' when a microbe is singular so 'it' would be correct. E incorrectly uses 'them' for the same reason - a microbe is singular.