Choose the option that corrects the grammatical flaw in the sentence: 'The compilation of archaeological records and soil samples were reviewed by the department director.'
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Change 'were reviewed' to 'was reviewed' to agree with 'compilation'
- Step 1: Identify the head subject of the sentence: 'The compilation' (singular).
- Step 2: The intervening prepositional phrase 'of archaeological records and soil samples' does not alter the number of the head subject.
- Step 3: Therefore, the plural auxiliary verb 'were reviewed' is an error of proximity and must be corrected to singular 'was reviewed'.
Answer
Change 'were reviewed' to 'was reviewed' to agree with 'compilation'.
Why not the others: Archaeological is the correct adjective form; 'reviewed by' correctly indicates the agent; modifying 'samples' leaves the verb disagreement unresolved.
Practise more Grammar, Structure and Vocabulary.
Free questions with an explanation for every one, and full timed Sultan Qaboos University Foundation & Aptitude Test mock tests.
More Grammar, Structure and Vocabulary questions
- Choose the correct verb form to complete the sentence: 'Neither the lead researcher nor his laboratory assistants ______ aware of the equipm…
- Complete the sentence with the appropriate conditional structure: 'Had the engineering team reviewed the structural blueprints more thorough…
- Identify the sentence that correctly observes parallel grammatical structure:
- Choose the word that best replaces 'corroborate' in the sentence: 'Subsequent geological fieldwork helped corroborate the initial satellite…
- Select the correct relative pronoun: 'The marine biologist, ______ research on Daymaniyat coral reefs received international acclaim, will d…
- Choose the correct modal auxiliary form: 'Given that the laboratory doors were locked and alarmed all weekend, the contamination ______ occu…