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 the best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose any one of the others.

His immediate task may be to keep the coalition in the state going unless he can think of ways to counter Mr. Hansen's mission now to demolish the parent party.

  1. unless he can think of ways to counter Mr. Hansen's mission

  2. unless he can think of ways to counter mission of Mr. Hansen

  3. till he can think of the ways to counter Mr. Hansen's mission

  4. till he can think the ways to counter mission of Mr. Hansen

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

Explanation for (1): The sentence bears the error of subordinating conjunction. 'Unless' is a conjunction of condition while 'till' refers to 'time'. Here, the sentence does not refer to any condition so use of unless is incorrect.

Explanation for (2): This option does not rectify the error of conjunction and makes unwarranted changes.

Explanation for (3): The sentence bears the error of subordinating conjunction. 'Unless' is a conjunction of condition while 'till' refers to 'time'. Here, the sentence does not refer to any condition so use of unless is incorrect. This option corrects the error.
Explanation for (4): This option rectifies the error of conjunction but introduces another error of preposition by deleting 'of' before 'the ways'. Hence, this option is eliminated. Explanation for (5): This option does not rectify the error of subordinating conjunction and makes unnecessary changes.