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 best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

One of new editions contain the result of three more years of study and experience, enlightened and aided by very many letters from readers, which served to point out flaws in the previous edition.

  1. new editions contain the result of three more years of study and experience

  2. new editions contains the results of three years of study and experience

  3. new editions contain the results for three more years of study and experience

  4. new editions contains the result of three more years of study and experience

  5. new editions contained the result of three more years of study and experience
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for (1): The sentence bears the error of subject verb agreement. The subject is 'one' not 'editions' and it should be followed by a singular verb (contains).

Explanation for (2): The option rectifies the error of subject-verb agreement, but introduces other errors ('results' in place of 'result' and deletion of 'more').

Explanation for (3): The option does not rectify the error of subject-verb agreement. Besides it introduces errors of preposition ('for' in place of 'of') and plural 'results' in place of singular 'result').
Justification for (4): The sentence bears the error of subject verb agreement. The subject is 'one' not 'editions' and it should be followed by a singular verb (contains). This option rectifies this error. Explanation for (5): There is unnecessary shift in tense in the option (contained in place of contains). Thus the option is eliminated.

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