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.

While few journals and individuals were inclined to condemn the work and censure the author, the intelligent and pure-minded recognized in him the only writer who could treat these delicate subjects with dignity and straightforwardness.

  1. While few journals and individuals were inclined to condemn the work and censure the author

  2. While few journals and individuals are inclined to condemn the work and censure the author

  3. While a few journals and individuals are inclined to condemn the work and censure the author

  4. While a few journals and individuals were inclined to condemn the work and censure the author

  5. While a few journals and a few individuals were inclined to condemn the work and censure the author
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for (1): The sentence has error of usage of adjective. 'Few' means almost none, whereas the sentence implies at least some. So, the correct adjective is 'a few'.

Explanation for (2): This option does not rectify the error of use of adjective and makes unnecessary change in tense ('are' in place of 'were').

Explanation for (3): Though this option rectifies the error of use of adjective, it makes unnecessary change in tense ('are' in place of 'were').
Explanation for (4): The sentence has error of usage of adjective. 'Few' means almost none, whereas the sentence implies at least some. So, the correct adjective is 'a few'. This option rectifies this error. Explanation for (5): Though this option rectifies the error of use of adjective, it introduces another error of redundancy (a few... a few).

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