Writing Section Questions

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1

<p>HI, I have a few questions on the writing section. The following are excerpts from Barrons and PR, not necessarily with errors in them.</p>

<li>Since the clear water remains relatively shallow all the way to the breakers, which (is) about 250 feet away from the shore…</li>
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<p>Correct form. What I don’t get is why it is “is” and not “are.”</p>

<li>A glossery of terms, a section on clauses, and a list of idiomic expressions (is) included in the grammer book.</li>
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<p>Correct form. Same problem as above. Why is it “is” while a sentence with people as the subject uses the verb “are?” (as in “Tim and John are doing the dishes”)</p>

<li>The children (having had) experienced the malaise of car sickness (one) too many times, so the couple decided it was best not to venture in a (cramped) car for a (long journey).</li>
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<p>“Having had” should be changed to just “having” but I don’t understand why.</p>

<li>Despite Mitchell’s steadfast attempts to mitigate his friend’s ongoing rivalry, (he) was ultimately unable to.</li>
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<p>“He” is incorrect in this sentence though I don’t know why.</p>

<li>After the electricity (went) out, Dora stumbled (blind) (about) her apartment (searching for) a candle.</li>
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<p>The answer is “blind” and I also don’t know why.</p>

<p>Please help! Thank you :)</p>

2

<ol>
<li><p>might be talking about the clear water? I dunno about this one.</p></li>
<li><p>"a list" is singular.</p></li>
<li><p>that's just idiom</p></li>
<li><p>nvm.</p></li>
<li><p>it shoud be the adverb "blindly".</p></li>
</ol>

3

<p>i disagree with you on number 4.</p>

<p>the answer is he, but it's unnecessary b/c it sounds like you're talking about mitchell's attempts rather than mitchell himself.</p>

4

<p>You're right.</p>

5

<p>and number 1...is "is" b/c "is" modifies breakers (plural)</p>

6

<p>No, I think Arachnotron is right in No.4. There is an "ambiguous pronouns" error here.</p>

<p>No.1: I don't know this one</p>

<p>No.2: If I met this question, I'd change "is" to "are" as well. There are definitely THREE separate things mentioned here, so subject should be plural. This case is different from "Introducing new ideas AND replacing old ones IS a matter of great concern", dont you think?</p>

<p>No.3: The first clause lacks a verb and is not consistent in tense. Must be "had" (past perfect tense)</p>

<p>No.4: said above</p>

<p>No.5: Must be "blindly"</p>