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.

These dormant impressions are the chief factors mainly responsible for molding our individual character, and they are the cause of the inequalities and diversities which we find around us.

  1. are the chief factors mainly responsible for molding our individual character

  2. are the chief factor for molding our individual character

  3. are the chief factors in molding our individual character

  4. are the chief factors responsible mainly for molding our individual character

  5. are the chiefly responsible factors in molding our individual character

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

Chief and mainly both convey the same meaning. So, use of these two words together creates error of redundancy. This option rectifies the error by replacing 'chief factors responsible for' by 'chief factors in'.