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.

The author fortunately remembered that readers have, but little sympathy with the motives of authors, and expect that their works should amuse or instruct them.

  1. and expect that their works should amuse or instruct them.

  2. but expect that their works should amuse or instruct them.

  3. and expect that their works could amuse or instruct them.

  4. but expect from them that their works should amuse or instruct them.

  5. and expect that their works ought to amuse or instruct them.
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B Correct answer
Explanation

One might feel that the second use of 'but' in the sentence is redundant. But 'but' has to be used twice here, the first time as an adverb 'but little sympathy', the second time as a conjunction of contrast. In this context, 'but' should be used in the place of 'and'. This option rectifies the error of conjunction.

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