Question

digital sat ds23a reading/writing module 1 question 16
16
while exploring the loltún cave on the yucatán peninsula, __________ that lived over 12,000 years ago. analyzing the dna and composition of these bones will offer a better understanding of how the yucatán region has changed over time.
which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of standard english?
a) tiny bones that belonged to mice were recently discovered by biologist ella vázquez - dominguez
b) mice were recently discovered by biologist ella vázquez - dominguez that contained tiny bones
c) biologist ella vázquez - dominguezs recent discovery of tiny bones that belonged to mice
d) biologist ella vázquez - dominguez recently discovered tiny bones that belonged to mice

Explanation:

In Standard English, the subject - verb - object order is preferred for clarity. Option D presents a clear and grammatically correct sentence where the subject (biologist Ella Vázquez - Domínguez) performs the action (discovered) on the object (tiny bones that belonged to mice). Option A has an awkward passive - voice construction. Option B has a confusing word - order making it seem like the mice contained the bones in an unclear way. Option C is also an awkward construction with a possessive and discovery in an odd order.

Answer:

D. biologist Ella Vázquez - Domínguez recently discovered tiny bones that belonged to mice