Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation of this question-
dipaksingh wrote:
Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially brutal criminal, in psychology it is someone who is apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience.
(A) it is someone who is
(B) it is a person
(C) they are people who are
(D) it refers to someone who is
(E) it is in reference to people
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended core meaning of this sentence is that in psychology the term "psychopath" refers to a person who is apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience.
Concepts tested here: Subject-Verb Agreement + Meaning + Pronouns + Awkwardness/RedundancyA: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the clause "it is someone"; the construction of this clause illogically implies that the
term "psychopath" is a
person who is apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience; the intended meaning is that the term "psychopath"
refers to a person who is apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience.
B: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the clause "it is a person"; the construction of this clause illogically implies that the
term "psychopath" is a
person who is apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience; the intended meaning is that the term "psychopath"
refers to a person who is apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience.
C: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the singular noun "term" with the plural verb "are". Further, Option C incorrectly refers to the singular noun "term" with the plural pronoun "they". Additionally, Option C alters the meaning of the sentence through the clause "they are people"; the construction of this clause illogically implies that the
term "psychopath" is multiple
people who are apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience; the intended meaning is that the term "psychopath"
refers to a person who is apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience.
D: Correct. This answer choice correctly refers to the singular noun "term" with the singular verb "refers". Further, Option D correctly refers to the singular noun "term" with the singular pronoun "it". Additionally, Option D uses the clause "it refers to someone", conveying the intended meaning - that the term "psychopath" refers to a person who is apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience. Besides, Option D is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.
E: This answer choice uses the passive voice construction "it is in reference to", rendering it awkward and needlessly indirect.
Hence, D is the best answer choice.All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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