Bunuel wrote:
Analysis of deep sea sediments have had as a focus the discovery of hitherto unknown forms of life, even though no such discovery has yet been made.
(A) Analysis of deep sea sediments have had as a focus the discovery of
(B) Analysis of deep sea sediments have focussed on discovering
(C) Analysis of deep sea sediments focussed on the discovery of
(D) Analysis of deep sea sediments has focussed on the discovery of
(E) Deep sea sediments that have been analysed, focussing on discovering
This question is based on Tense and Construction.
Option A is wordy and awkwardly constructed. The phrase “have had as a focus” is unnecessary. “Have focused on” would be more direct and to the point. So, Option A can be eliminated.Option B has a subject-verb disagreement. The plural verb ‘have’ does not agree with the singular subject “analysis”. So, Option B can be eliminated.Option C contains the wrong tense. The simple past tense does not help to connect the past and the present. So, Option C can be eliminated.Option D has the appropriate tense – the present perfect – to connect the past to the present. It also maintains subject-verb agreement. The construction is concise. So, D is the best of all the options.Option E is made up of two phrases and a dependent clause. It is therefore incomplete. So, Option E can be eliminated.Therefore, D is the most appropriate option.Jayanthi Kumar.
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Crackverbal Prep Team
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