<p>I have 2 writing questions from a prep course's practice test
Any help is appreciated!</p>
<p>A new survey has found that a majority A (of most people) B(believes) that mobile devices, C(such as) laptops and cell phones, increase D (stress levels). </p>
<p>Isn't "a majority of most people" plural? So believes should be believe.. right? But I thought "majority of MOST people" is also redundant? What's the correct answer choice here?</p>
<p>If a child constantly clears his or her throat for A(no apparent) reason, B (it is) advisable to get C (them) tested for asthma- even if D (there are no) other signs of the condition.</p>
<p>"It is"? What is? Who's "them"? Aren't they both ambiguous pronouns? What's the correct answer?</p>
<p>I believe that “majority” is singular (like “all of them” or “every one of them”) and that “most people” is redundant. The answer should be (A).</p>
<p>The second answer is (C). “Child” is singular; “them” is plural. The “it” is a bit difficult to describe. If you take French, you should know about “il faut que” clauses. The “it is advisable” plays the same role as an “il faut” phrase. That’s the best I can explain it (and I’m sorry if I’ve confused you more with the French).</p>
<p>Ahh thanks! That cleared some things up.</p>
<p>In 1689, France held many settlements that A(lay) north of the English colonies, but B(they) also C(claimed) souther land D(in) Mississippi River.</p>
<p>Is A the correct answer for this one?</p>
<p>I think They should be it because France is singular</p>
<p>^Yes, so the answer should be (B). (A) is correct since the verb “lay” goes with the plural subject “settlements.”</p>
<p>Thanks so much Protoslg and 314159265!</p>
<ol>
<li>A</li>
<li>C</li>
</ol>
<p>In 1689, France held many settlements that A(lay) north of the English colonies, but B(they) also C(claimed) souther land D(in) Mississippi River.</p>
<p>Is A the correct answer for this one? </p>
<p>The correct is A because “lay” always has a direct object. The word shoud be “lie”.</p>
<p>You lay a pen down on the table.
The pen lies on the table.</p>
<p>Lies doesn’t take a direct object, which is what we need here so [A].</p>