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 part. 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.

My brother helping his best friend cheating on a math test, but confessed the truth to the teacher immediately afterwards.

  1. My brother helping his best friend cheating on a math test,

  2. My brother, wanting to help his friend to cheat in a math test,

  3. My brother, who helped his best friend to be cheating in a math test,

  4. My brother helped his best friend cheat in a math test,

  5. My brother would be helping his best friend cheat in a math test,
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Awkward phrasing is done in option (1), (3) and (2) making the sentence nonsensical. The wrong verb form (cheating) is used in (3). There is a shift of tenses in (3). Thus, option (4) is correct.

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