DSAT R&W Practice Question-Standard English Conventions- Form, Structure, and Sense - Medium
DSAT R&W Practice Question-Standard English Conventions- Form, Structure, and Sense – Medium
DSAT R&W Practice Question-Standard English Conventions- Form, Structure, and Sense – Medium is part of Standard English Conventions : This section measures revision skills and knowledge to conform to core conventions of Standard English sentence structure, usage, and punctuation
Weightage : 26%
Subtopic: Standard English Conventions
Question
Classical composer Florence Price’s 1927 move to Chicago marked a turning point in her career. It was there that Price premiered her First Symphony—a piece that was praised for blending traditional Romantic motifs with aspects of Black folk music—and ______ supportive relationships with other Black artists.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. developing
B. developed
C. to develop
D. having developed
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans. B
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is the best answer. The missing verb is part of the same clause as the verb “premiered,” and “Price” is the subject of both. So we need the past-tense form “developed” in order to match “premiered.”
Choice A is incorrect. This choice creates a verb form error. The missing verb is part of the same clause as the verb “premiered,” and “Price” is the subject of both. So we need the past-tense form “developed” in order to match “premiered.” Choice C is incorrect. This choice creates a verb form error. The missing verb is part of the same clause as the verb “premiered,” and “Price” is the subject of both. So we need the past-tense form “developed” in order to match “premiered.” Choice D is incorrect. This choice creates a verb form error. The missing verb is part of the same clause as the verb “premiered,” and “Price” is the subject of both. So we need the past-tense form “developed” in order to match “premiered.”
Question
Far from being modern inventions, ______ more than 5,000 years ago.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. Sumerians in ancient Mesopotamia used drinking straws
B. drinking straws were used by Sumerians in ancient Mesopotamia
C. the use of drinking straws by Sumerians in ancient Mesopotamia happened
D. ancient Mesopotamia was home to Sumerians who used drinking straws
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans. B
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is the best answer. Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each other. The modifier “far from being modern inventions” must be describing “drinking straws,” because those are the only possible inventions in this sentence.
Choice A is incorrect. Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each other. The modifier “far from being modern inventions” can’t be describing “Sumerians,” because they are a group of people, not an invention. Choice C is incorrect. Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each other. The modifier “far from being modern inventions” can’t be describing “the use of drinking straws,” because it is not “the use” of drinking straws that is an invention—it is the drinking straws themselves. Choice D is incorrect. Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each other. The modifier “far from being modern inventions” can’t be describing “Ancient Mesopotamia,” because that is a place, not an invention.