Quick question on grammar- Please answer!!!!

Test Preparation
1

<p>My sister took the PSAT recently, and just asked me about this-</p>

<p>A) Modern artists made controversial art, raising the question of whether or not art should be funded federally.</p>

<p>OR</p>

<p>B) Modern artists made controversial art, raising the question of art being funded federally.</p>

<p>Which is grammatically correct? I opted for "whether," but I would like a second opinion.</p>

<p>Also-</p>

<p>A) The spruce tree grows at a rapid rate, it needs a lot of water.</p>

<p>OR</p>

<p>B) The spruce tree grows at a rapid rate, they need a lot of water.</p>

<p>Is it "it" or "they"?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>None of those sentences are correct. :)</p>

<p>First question: It should be, "Modern artists made controversial art, raising the question of whether art should be funded federally. (Your first sentence is redundant.)</p>

<p>Second question: Both of those sentences are run-ons. It should be, “The spruce tree grows at a rapid rate; it needs a lot of water.” (Or you could use a coordinating conjunction.)</p>