PSAT Writing and Language Question 311: Answer and Explanation

Question: 311

• A. NO CHANGE
• B. make
• C. made
• D. is making

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

Difficulty: Medium

Category: Agreement: Verbs

Getting to the Answer: Check underlined verbs for tense consistency and agreement with their subjects. The context of the paragraph makes it clear that research in Antarctica occurs "today," so eliminate (C), which confines the action to only the past. To determine which present tense verb is correct, find the verb's subject. Although the noun "Antarctica" is nearest, the subject is actually the compound "relative inaccessibility and near pristine state." Compound subjects with and should be treated as plural, so the plural verb "make," (B), is correct.