Even though the original text of the U.S. Constitution, adopted in 178

Official Explanation

This sentence presents two facts. First, the original text of the Constitution refers to the idea of citizenship; second, the word citizenship was not actually defined in the Constitution until quite a while later. Together, these statements present irony, as the original Constitution refers to a concept that is not actually defined in it; therefore, the sentence should use a transition that appropriately expresses the contrast between the actual situation and what might have been expected.

(A) The verb mandated is a "bossy" verb and must be followed by the subjunctive be; must be is incorrect. In addition, this choice redundantly uses even though and but; both signal the same contrast.

(B) The wording the Constitution specifies any U.S. president or senator who must be an American citizen illogically implies that the original Constitution actually names specific presidents and senators. Instead, the sentence should use the word that: the Constitution specifies that (a certain thing should happen).

(C) The verb specify should not be followed by the subjunctive mood (be); rather, the sentence would need to say something like it is specified (or it specifies) that any U.S. president or senator must be (something). In the last clause, the phrase an actual definition is vague; it is not entirely clear that this refers to the definition of citizenship. (We only know this because we have already read the original sentence!)

(D) The combination of the past tense (specified) and the modifier when illogically implies that the original text of the Constitution now says something else, in the present. (It is possible to amend an original text, but the original text is still the original text; the changed text is the amended text.) This choice also creates the parallel structure specified that X but that Y. While this is structurally correct, it doesn't make sense: it implies that the Constitution of 1787 indicated that a definition of citizenship would be provided 79 years in the future, on July 28, 1868.

(E) CORRECT. Mandates appears properly in the present tense, as the original text of the Constitution still exists (and still says the same things), and is correctly followed by the command subjunctive (since mandates is a bossy verb). The word although properly indicates the contrast between the two clauses. Finally, the past tense (was not defined, was ratified) is used correctly to describe past actions.

Answer: E