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.

Rice, which still forms the staple diet of many of the world's population, grows best in hot, wet lands.

  1. still forms the staple diet of many

  2. still form the staple diet of many

  3. still forms the staple diet of much

  4. still form the staple diets of many

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

Explanation for (1): Error of adjective use. In this sentence the reference is to the greater portion of the population and not the greater number. Therefore, the usage of 'many' is incorrect.

Explanation for (2): This option commits the error of subject verb agreement. 'Rice' will take the singular verb 'forms'.

Explanation for (3): In this sentence the reference is to the greater portion of the population and not to the greater number. Therefore, the usage of 'many' is incorrect. This option correctly substitutes it with much.
Explanation for (4): This option commits the error of subject verb agreement. 'Rice' will take the singular verb 'forms'. Also, 'diet' is used without 's' in both singular and plural forms. Explanation for (5): This option corrects the error of adjective, but commits the error of subject verb agreement. 'Rice' will take the singular verb 'forms'.