Question multip

3.1 Boundaries - Fragments vs complete sentences
0:00

Multiple newspapers blank the Spanish-speaking population of Washington, DC, including El Tiempo Latino and Washington Hispanic.

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

A.

serve

B.

having served

C.

to serve

D.

serving

Multiple newspapers ______ blank the Spanish-speaking population of Washington, DC, including El Tiempo Latino and

Medium-difficulty · SAT Reading & Writing · Boundaries — Fragments vs complete sentences. Read the question above, select your answer, and check the full explanation below to understand exactly why the correct choice works.

Answer explanation

Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of verb forms within a sentence. A main clause requires a finite (tensed) verb to perform the action of the subject (in this case, "multiple newspapers"), and this choice supplies the finite present tense verb "serve" to indie that there are multiple newspapers serving the Spanish-speaking population of Washington, DC.

Choice B is incorrect because it results in an ungrammatical sentence. The nonfinite participle "having served" doesn’t supply the main clause with a finite verb. Choice C is incorrect because it results in an ungrammatical sentence. The nonfinite to-infinitive "to serve" doesn’t supply the main clause with a finite verb. Choice D is incorrect because it results in an ungrammatical sentence. The nonfinite participle "serving" doesn’t supply the main clause with a finite verb.