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

Question

Reading the novel was far more rewarding than ____ the film adaptation.

Accepted Answer

A. watching. The comparison sets 'reading the novel' against the other activity, so both must take the same form: 'reading' ... 'watching'.

Answer

B. to watch — 'to watch' is an infinitive, which doesn't match the -ing form 'reading'.

Answer

C. the watching of — 'the watching of' is a clumsy noun phrase that breaks the parallel with 'reading'.

Answer

D. watched — 'watched' is a past-tense verb, not a match for 'reading'.

Standard English Conventions practice question