If the packages have been delivered yesterday, why haven’t they been signed for?
1
Select the choice that best replaces the underlined section.
✅ Explanation: The adverbial phrase ‘yesterday’ clearly indicates a specific past time, which requires the simple past tense. Therefore, ‘were delivered’ (C) is the correct form for the plural subject ‘packages’. The present perfect ‘have been delivered’ refers to an action completed in the past with relevance to the present, which doesn’t align with a specific past time marker like ‘yesterday’. Subjunctive present perfect ‘would have been delivered’ (A) is typically not used in an ‘if’ clause of this type. ‘Was delivered’ (B) is singular and disagrees with the plural ‘packages’. Past perfect ‘had been delivered’ (D) would necessitate a corresponding past perfect in the main clause, such as ‘why hadn’t they been signed for?’
Dr. Aris Thorne published “The Planetary Blueprint,” a seminal work that contributed significantly to the understanding of exoplanet formation.
2
Select the choice that best replaces the underlined section.
✅ Explanation: When a transitive verb (like ‘contributed’) is followed by an indirect object preposition (‘to’), the modifying adverb (‘significantly’) should ideally be placed between ‘that’/’which’ and the verb, forming a unit with the verb and its preposition. Thus, ‘that significantly contributed’ (B) is the most grammatically sound and clear construction. ‘Who’ (D) is incorrect because it refers to people, not inanimate objects like a book or work.
The word “nomad” derives from the Greek nomas, which signifies “a person who wanders from place to place.”
3
Select the choice that best replaces the underlined section.
✅ Explanation: The clause beginning with ‘which’ is a non-restrictive clause, meaning it provides additional, non-essential information about ‘nomas.’ Therefore, a comma before ‘which’ is correct, and no further punctuation is needed between ‘signifies’ and the quotation mark. The original phrasing ‘which signifies “a’ (C) is grammatically correct as written.
When preparing a presentation, it’s effective to sketch the main ideas initially, than organize the content, and finally refine the delivery.
4
Select the choice that best replaces the underlined section.
✅ Explanation: The word ‘then’ (C) is used to indicate sequence or consequence, which is appropriate for describing a series of steps (‘sketch,’ ‘organize,’ ‘refine’). ‘Than’ is used for comparisons. The comma after ‘initially’ is correct punctuation to separate elements in a list of actions.
To adjudicate the “Clean Campus Challenge,” the committee selected an uninterested mediator.
5
Select the choice that best replaces the underlined section.
✅ Explanation: ‘Disinterested’ (C) means impartial or unbiased, which is the quality desired in a mediator for fair adjudication. ‘Uninterested’ means bored or lacking curiosity. Furthermore, ‘a’ should precede ‘disinterested’ because ‘disinterested’ begins with a consonant sound.
The hikers recognized they had better bail before the storm trapped them.
6
Select the choice that best replaces the underlined section.
✅ Explanation: While ‘bail’ (original) or ‘get out’ (D) might be understood in informal contexts, ‘leave’ (A) is the standard and more appropriate verb choice for formal writing or general communication to convey the meaning of departing from a place. It maintains the urgency without resorting to colloquialisms.
Many readers genuinely dug the protagonist of the novel.
7
Select the choice that best replaces the underlined section.
✅ Explanation: ‘Admired’ (C) is the most suitable and formal verb to express positive regard, appreciation, or respect for a character. ‘Dug’ is an informal, colloquial term for liking something, and its usage is generally avoided in more formal contexts.
During the holidays, Leo arranged for the purchase, wrapping, and delivery of gifts to his Grandmother.
8
Select the choice that best replaces the underlined section.
✅ Explanation: The word ‘grandmother’ should only be capitalized when it is used as a proper noun (e.g., as a direct address like ‘Hello, Grandmother’ or as a specific name). In this sentence, ‘his grandmother’ functions as a common noun indicating a familial relationship, so it should be lowercase (C).
The architectural design of a building often effects the occupants’ mood.
9
Select the choice that best replaces the underlined section.
✅ Explanation: ‘Affects’ (C) is the correct verb to signify influencing or having an impact on something. ‘Effects’ is primarily used as a noun, meaning results or outcomes (e.g., ‘the effects of the design’). The singular verb ‘affects’ correctly agrees with the singular subject ‘design.’ Additionally, ‘occupants” is the correct possessive form for a plural noun, and ‘mood’ is singular as intended.
Desert plants are often sturdiest than plants in temperate regions.
10
Select the choice that best replaces the underlined section.
✅ Explanation: When comparing two items or groups (desert plants and temperate plants), the comparative form of the adjective should be used, not the superlative. Therefore, ‘sturdier’ is correct, not ‘sturdiest.’ Additionally, ‘than’ is used for comparison, whereas ‘then’ indicates sequence. Thus, ‘sturdier than plants’ (C) is the correct and most concise comparative construction.
