Exercise: Inconsistent structures

In each of the following items, select the choice that makes the structure of the original sentence consistent in grammar and meaning. If the original sentence is correct, click on “No change.”

Click Submit after each question to see feedback and to record your answer. If your instructor has assigned this exercise set, you must answer every question before your answers will be submitted to the gradebook.

1 of 10

My interest in a political career would satisfy my desire for public service.

A. A political career would satisfy my desire for public service.

B. My desire for public service would be satisfied by my interest in a political career.

C. No change.

2 of 10

The reason the experiment failed is because the lab equipment was dirty.

A. The reason the experiment failed is because of the fact that the lab equipment was dirty.

B. The experiment failed because the lab equipment was dirty.

C. No change.

3 of 10

By not prosecuting white-collar crime as vigorously as violent crime encourages white-collar criminals to think they can ignore the law.

A. By not prosecuting white-collar crime as vigorously as violent crime, we encourage white-collar criminals to ignore the law.

B. By not prosecuting white-collar crime as vigorously as we prosecute violent crime encourages white-collar criminals to think they can ignore the law.

C. No change.

By not prosecuting white-collar crime as vigorously as violent crime encourages white-collar criminals to think they can ignore the law.

4 of 10

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short stories draw on experiences from his own life.

A. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short stories are his life experiences.

B. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short stories are experiences drawn from his own life.

C. No change.

5 of 10

One controversial element of the college curriculum has been a required course in Western culture.

A. One controversial element of the curriculum has been colleges with a required course in Western culture.

B. Colleges with a required course in Western culture have been a controversial element of curricula.

C. No change.

6 of 10

In Toni Morrison’s books, many of which deal with the aftermath of slavery, often feature strong women characters.

A. In Toni Morrison’s books, many of which feature strong women characters, often deal with the aftermath of slavery.

B. Toni Morrison’s books, many of which deal with the aftermath of slavery, often feature strong women characters.

C. No change.

7 of 10

Although Toni Morrison’s depictions of African American families and neighborhoods are realistic, but her books also include supernatural elements.

A. Although Toni Morrison’s depictions of African American families and neighborhoods are realistic, her books also include supernatural elements.

B. Although Toni Morrison’s depictions of African American families and neighborhoods are realistic, however, her books also include supernatural elements.

C. No change.

8 of 10

An important character in Toni Morrison’s 1977 novel, Song of Solomon, is Pilate, a woman with magical powers.

A. An important character in Toni Morrison’s 1977 novel, Song of Solomon, is about Pilate, a woman with magical powers.

B. An important character in Toni Morrison’s 1977 novel, Song of Solomon, concerns Pilate, a woman with magical powers.

C. No change.

An important character in Toni Morrison’s 1977 novel, Song of Solomon, is Pilate, a woman with magical powers.

9 of 10

Toni Morrison’s fame as a writer won the Pulitzer Prize in fiction in 1988 for Beloved.

A. Toni Morrison’s fame as a writer when she won the Pulitzer Prize in fiction in 1988 for Beloved.

B. Toni Morrison’s fame as a writer rose when she won the Pulitzer Prize in fiction in 1988 for Beloved.

C. No change.

Toni Morrison’s fame as a writer won the Pulitzer Prize in fiction in 1988 for Beloved.

10 of 10

When reading Beloved makes the horrors of slavery seem immediate and real.

A. Reading Beloved makes the horrors of slavery seem immediate and real.

B. Reading Beloved, which makes the horrors of slavery seem immediate and real.

C. No change.

When reading Beloved makes the horrors of slavery seem immediate and real.