Keeping a daily journal improves the organization of one’s thoughts

My answer is (C). It took me 02:16.

(A) What is the antecedent of "that"? It can be "self-reflection" or "a few spontaneous ideas".
To make the call, we need to decide what can become the basis of new ambitions and initiatives.
To me, it is "a few ideas" because those ideas are also new.
(A) is thus eliminated for SVA.

(B) Unlike "that" in (A), "becoming" can only modify the noun immediately before it in careful writing. So (B) is out on that consideration.

(C) Almost the same as (A) with SVA issue fixed.

(D) This sentence suggests that "Keeping a daily journal" becomes "the basis of new ambitions and initiatives". Such meaning is not as convincing as that of (C).

(E) SVA issue.

(C) is correct IMO

A) Subject verb disagreement
That refers to ideas requiring plural verb

B) Self reflection becoming the basis of new ambitions and initiatives : Does not make any sense

C) Issue in A is rectified

D) So as to reflect the purpose : Not needed in the context

E) Subject verb disagreement

Keeping a daily journal improves the organization of one’s thoughts and yields quite a few spontaneous ideas about self-reflection that, in turn, becomes the basis of new ambitions and initiatives.

What does 'that' plays in the sentence? It is referring back to the "few spontaneous ideas"(plural). Therefore, the subject is plural in the underlined portion of the sentence, requiring the usage of the verb, "become".


A) that, in turn, becomes the basis of new ambitions and initiatives
As per the above analysis, this is incorrect choice with wrong subject verb agreements.


B) becoming, in turn, the basis of new ambitions and initiatives
Becoming & 'in turn' is awkward. Using -ing verb along with a result of something in a series of events will be bad. Note the previous event is already complete, but 'becoming' is still in transition. Eliminate


C) that, in turn, become the basis of new ambitions and initiatives
Subject verb agreement is correct, as per analysis. So, the correct answer choice is C.

D) so as to become, in turn, the basis of new ambitions and initiatives
"so as to" usage is awkward here, which is of the form "so X as to Y". Example, Sam drove his car so fast as to reach the GMAT test center. Note the meaning of the original sentence, the yielding of few spontaneous ideas does not necessarily, required to be resulting in the basis for new ambitions & initiatives. Eliminate


E) that becomes the basis of new ambitions and initiatives in turn
This changes the intended meaning as we don't know if 'in turn'( one after another) is applied between 'new ambitions' and 'initiatives'. Subject-verb agreement is also incorrect. Eliminate.

Keeping a daily journal improves the organization of one’s thoughts and yields quite a few spontaneous ideas about self-reflection that, in turn, becomes the basis of new ambitions and initiatives.


A) that, in turn, becomes the basis of new ambitions and initiatives - SV error . "That" here refers to ideas

B) becoming, in turn, the basis of new ambitions and initiatives - Verb -ing form is incorrect here as how and result aspect is not the intended meaning.

C) that, in turn, become the basis of new ambitions and initiatives - Correct

D) so as to become, in turn, the basis of new ambitions and initiatives - So as usage changes the intended meaning

E) that becomes the basis of new ambitions and initiatives in turn - SV error as in A

Keeping a daily journal improves the organization of one’s thoughts and yields quite a few spontaneous ideas about self-reflection that, in turn, becomes the basis of new ambitions and initiatives


A) that, in turn, becomes the basis of new ambitions and initiatives --> SVA: --> become

B) becoming, in turn, the basis of new ambitions and initiatives --> wrong Verb-ing modifier

C) that, in turn, become the basis of new ambitions and initiatives ==> correct

D) so as to become, in turn, the basis of new ambitions and initiatives ---> wrong using of "so as to".
I worked hard. I wanted to pass the test. ==> I worked hard so as to pass the test. Same subject for both verb.

E) that becomes the basis of new ambitions and initiatives in turn --> SVA: --> become

Keeping a daily journal improves the organization of one’s thoughts and yields quite a few spontaneous ideas about self-reflection that, in turn, becomes the basis of new ambitions and initiatives.


A) that, in turn, becomes the basis of new ambitions and initiatives ("that" refers to ideas)

B) becoming, in turn, the basis of new ambitions and initiatives (wrong modifier)

C) that, in turn, become the basis of new ambitions and initiatives => Correct

D) so as to become, in turn, the basis of new ambitions and initiatives (wrong using of "so as to")

E) that becomes the basis of new ambitions and initiatives in turn ("that" refers to ideas)

IMO C

I think A is correct because “that” refers to “a few spontaneous ideas” and not only to “ideas”.

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Keeping a daily journal improves the organization of one’s thoughts and yields quite a few spontaneous ideas about self-reflection that, in turn, becomes the basis of new ambitions and initiatives.

A) that, in turn, becomes the basis of new ambitions and initiatives -> that refers to "a few spontaneous ideas", which is plural. So, we have SVA error. Incorrect.

B) becoming, in turn, the basis of new ambitions and initiatives -> Is self-reflection becoming the basis of new...? No! Incorrect.

C) that, in turn, become the basis of new ambitions and initiatives -> This is better than A, now we have SVA error corrected. Let's keep it.

D) so as to become, in turn, the basis of new ambitions and initiatives -> So as to is incorrect.

E) that becomes the basis of new ambitions and initiatives in turn -> Similar SVA error as A. Incorrect.

So, I think C.

Keeping a daily journal improves the organization of one’s thoughts and yields quite a few spontaneous ideas about self-reflection that, in turn, becomes the basis of new ambitions and initiatives.


A) that, in turn, becomes the basis of new ambitions and initiatives

B) becoming, in turn, the basis of new ambitions and initiatives

C) that, in turn, become the basis of new ambitions and initiatives

D) so as to become, in turn, the basis of new ambitions and initiatives

E) that becomes the basis of new ambitions and initiatives in turn

C is correct