Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

Question

The queen-of-the-night cactus ____ a year, and visitors line up at dusk for the few hours the flower is open.

Accepted Answer

A. blooms for only one night. 'Only' must sit beside what it limits — the single night: 'blooms for only one night a year.'

Answer

B. only blooms for one night — 'Only blooms' suggests blooming is the sole thing the plant does, shifting the meaning.

Answer

C. blooms only for one night each — The stray 'each' after 'night' garbles the phrase with 'a year' following.

Answer

D. blooms for one only night — 'One only night' is not a standard English order.

Standard English Conventions practice question