Question formed

3.2 Form, Structure, and Sense - Consistent tone and style
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Formed in 1967 to foster political and economic stability within the Africa-Pacific region, the Association of Southeast African Nations was originally made up of five members: Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. By the end of the 1990s, the organization blank its initial membership.

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

A.

has doubled

B.

had doubled

C.

doubles

D.

will double

Formed in 1967 to foster political and economic stability within the Africa-Pacific region, the Association of

Medium-difficulty · SAT Reading & Writing · Form, Structure, and Sense — Consistent tone and style. Read the question above, select your answer, and check the full explanation below to understand exactly why the correct choice works.

Answer explanation

Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of verbs to express tense. In this choice, the past perfect verb “had doubled” properly indies that the doubling of the organization’s initial membership occurred during a specific period before the present (between the organization’s founding in 1967 and the end of the 1990s). 

Choice A is incorrect because the present perfect verb “has doubled” doesn’t indie that the organization’s doubling of its initial membership occurred during a specific period in the past. Choice C is incorrect because the present tense verb “doubles” doesn’t indie that the organization’s doubling of its initial membership occurred during a specific period in the past. Choice D is incorrect because the future tense verb “will double” doesn’t indie that the organization’s doubling of its initial membership occurred during a specific period in the past.