Multiple choice

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

It is not easy to be sure today how accurate an observer he had been, but if we make some allowance for misprints, we find a certain consistency in his work.

  1. how accurate an observer he had been

  2. how accurate an observer had he been

  3. how accurate an observer he was

  4. how accurate an observer was he

  5. how accurate an observer he is
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The original sentence bears error of tense. 'Not easy to be sure today' means that we are talking of the indefinite past. So, a simple past tense is required, not past perfect tense. This option corrects the error of tense by using simple past tense.

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