Standard English ConventionsHardPronoun ambiguity repaired
Standard English Conventions practice question
When the violin was finally lifted from its waterlogged case, the conservators saw at once that ____ had clouded beyond repair.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
- A. the violin's varnishCorrect
- B. it
- C. this
- D. that one
Answer: A. the violin's varnish
With two possible antecedents (violin, case), only the full noun phrase 'the violin's varnish' says unambiguously what was damaged.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. it
- 'It' could mean the violin or the case — the reference is ambiguous.
- C. this
- 'This' is just as ambiguous between the two nouns.
- D. that one
- 'That one' leaves the same two readings open.
More Standard English Conventions questions
- Hard
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? ____, the ancient… - Hard
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? By the time the t… - Hard
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The bridge was cl… - Hard
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The grant will fu… - Hard
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Students ____ com… - Hard
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Having studied th…
Not affiliated with the College Board. SAT is a trademark of the College Board.