Recent evaluation by fire-safety officials of people's reactions in a
[#permalink]
Updated on: 29 Aug 2020, 13:11
Answer C is not correct; answer B is correct. We know that evaluation is singular, so the second word must be confirms. So then the question is whether it should be “fire” or “fires”. It should be “fires,” as fire is a countable noun in this instance.
Since we are talking about a variety, this necessitates a multiple of fires. It may be different fire disasters, different types of fire, or simply different fire demonstrations as part of a study. Notice how in the previous sentence, I used “fire” to describe a variety, which in each case fire was merely an adjective describing “disasters” or “types”. In every case, we need to use a plural. You can have a single variety of fire or a wide variety of fires, but you cannot have a wide variety of fire because you cannot have a variety of an uncountable thing. (Variety means many types, meaning you have to be able to identify at least two...which is counting.)
Just to be clear: fire is countable. Please see the definition of the word and which meanings are countable and which ones are not. In this case, the meaning of fire is clearly countable (see number 3)
fire (countable and uncountable, plural fires)
1. (uncountable) A (usually self-sustaining) chemical reaction involving the bonding of oxygen with carbon or other fuel, with the production of heat and the presence of flame or smouldering.
2. (countable) An instance of this chemical reaction, especially when intentionally created and maintained in a specific location to a useful end (such as a campfire or a hearth fire). quotations ▼
We sat about the fire singing songs and telling tales.
3. (countable) The occurrence, often accidental, of fire in a certain place, causing damage and danger. quotations ▼
Posted from my mobile device
Originally posted by
aloysiusgaul on 29 Aug 2020, 12:41.
Last edited by
aloysiusgaul on 29 Aug 2020, 13:11, edited 3 times in total.