OFFICIAL EXPLANATIONQuote:
Mars, which was originally named after the Roman god of war, has been nicknamed the red planet because the iron oxide molecules prevalent on its surface gives them a reddish appearance.
A) prevalent on its surface gives them a reddish appearance
B) prevalent on their surface gives them a reddish appearance
C) prevalent on its surface give it a reddish appearance
D) prevailing on its surface give it a reddish appearance
E) prevailing on its surface gives them a reddish appearance
• Strategy tip
Especially when the answers are short and easy to scan vertically, do scan the options vertically before you try to figure out whether option A contains error.
Obviously, if an error in (A) jumps out at you, note it. Glance at the options anyway. There might be an issue that is easier to assess or more prevalent that only a quick scan of the options can provide.
A quick scan reveals
four easy-to-spot differences among the options.
1)
prevalent or
prevailing is at the beginning of the option
2) the first pronoun is split between
its and
them 3) the verb is split between
give and
gives4) the second pronoun is split between
them and
itI would leave the first split alone for a while: analyzing diction (i.e., which is the better-chosen word) is harder than analyzing subject/verb agreement or noun/pronoun agreement.
I would pursue subject verb agreement first, but because this question tests two pronouns, for the sake of the OE I will start with pronouns.
• Split #1 Noun-pronoun disagreement #1Iron oxide molecules are present on _____ surface.
Its or
theirs?
The surface must refer to Mars, singular. (The only surface at issue is the surface of the planet Mars.)
The first pronoun should be
its.Option B incorrectly uses
their.
ELIMINATE B
• Split #1 Noun-pronoun disagreement #2What about the second pronoun?
Iron oxide molecules prevalent on the surface of Mars give
what a reddish appearance?
Logically, this pronoun must also refer to Mars, the “red planet.”
The pronoun
them would imply that iron oxide molecules give
themselves a red appearance, a meaning that is illogical—even absurd.
So the second pronoun must also be singular and should be
it.Options A and E incorrectly use
them.Eliminate A and E.
• Split #3 – Diction: prevalent or prevailing?Diction essentially refers to choosing the right word and putting it in the right place.
If you read a decent bit (as in, 30 minutes a day, six days a week), you will easily choose
prevalent over
prevailing.
Prevalent means widespread in a particular area at a particular time.
→ Malaria is prevalent in warm climates such as those found in tropical and subtropical countries.
→ PTSD is prevalent among U.S. veterans who served abroad.
Oxford online dictionary, here.
Prevailing means existing at a particular time; current; or having the most influence or appeal.
→ the prevailing market price, prevailing winds in the atmosphere, or a prevailing ideology
Oxford online dictionary, here.
The iron oxide molecules are not "current," as in "subject to change." The molecules are present in abundance on the surface of Mars—they are prevalent.
Option D is not as good as option C because the former uses
prevailing whereas the latter uses
prevalent.
ELIMINATE D
• Another error
→ Subject/verb
The subject of the
because-clause is molecules, plural.
Those iron oxide molecules
give the surface a reddish appearance.
Answers A, B, and E incorrectly pair the singular verb
gives with the plural subject
molecules.
The correct answer is C..COMMENTSRainman91 , welcome to SC Butler.
I’ll keep these comments brief because I am posting a few OEs tonight.
These answers are very good and explain well.
Explanation is key; if you can explain a concept, you are well on your way to having mastered it.
Rainman91 , I am bumping you to Best Community Reply.
Nice work, everyone.