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.

He who fails to see any justification for money and time given up to the collection of postage stamps will scarcely deny that these lines of study can scarcely fail to be both fascinating and profitable.

  1. money and time given up to the collection of postage stamps will scarcely deny

  2. money spent and time given up to collecting of postage stamps will scarcely deny

  3. money spent and time given up to the collection of postage stamps will scarcely deny

  4. money and time given up to the collecting of postage stamps will scarcely deny

  5. money spent and time given up to postage stamps will scarcely deny
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for (1): The usage 'money and time given up' is incorrect. The correct usage is 'money spent and time given up'.

Explanation for (2): This option rectifies the error of incorrect usage, but introduces another error (collecting of postage).

Justification for (3): The usage 'money and time given up' is incorrect. The correct usage is 'money spent and time given up'. This option corrects the error.
Explanation for (4): This option does not rectify the error of incorrect usage. Besides it introduces another error of gerund (collecting of postage). Explanation for (5): This option rectifies the error of incorrect usage of diction but introduces another error by deleting 'the collection of'. Thus, this option is eliminated.

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