daviesj
The compositions of Claude Debussy are known for
their orchestrational subtlety and brilliance, a use of scales considered exotic in Western music at the time, and delicate but dramatic lyricism.
A.their orchestrational subtlety and brilliance, a use of scales considered exotic in Western music at the time, and
B.their orchestrational subtlety and brilliance, use of scales considered exotic in Western music at the time, and
C.their orchestrational subtlety and brilliance, use of scales considered exotic in Western music at the time, and their
D.orchestrational subtlety and brilliance, use of scales considered exotic in Western music at the time, and
E.their orchestrational subtlety and brilliance, use of scales considered exotic in Western music at the time, and a
Correct Answer: B
This sentence features a list of Equivalent Elements that must be in parallel form. The list of characteristics for which Debussy's compositions are known includes their orchestrational subtlety and brilliance, use of scales considered exotic in Western music at the time, and delicate but dramatic lyricism. Only choice B lists these characteristics correctly. Choice A says that the compositions are known for their "a use of scales', which is awkward ' one does not need the article 'a' to precede 'use.' Choice C lacks the possessive pronoun 'their' in front of 'use', making it not parallel. Choice D is missing the introductory possessive pronoun 'their.' Choice E, like A, has the unnecessary article 'a' preceding 'delicate'.
Basic structure of the sentence:
The compositions are known for their brilliance, use of exotic scales and dramatic lyricism.
To maintain parallelism, we use "their" only once in the beginning or we use it with each item in the list.
So another correct way of writing it would be
The compositions are known for their brilliance, their use of exotic scales and their dramatic lyricism.
But we cannot mix and match. So we cannot put their with just two elements but not with the third. Hence, (C) is incorrect.
juniiAlso, "their" helps clarify the meaning of the sentence.
The compositions are known for brilliance. (Whose brilliance? The author's? The Protagonist's?)
The compositions are known for their brilliance. (They are known for their own brilliance)
Also, consider this:
The compositions are known for their a use of exotic scales.
Use of the indefinite article "a" is incorrect here.
Hence, option (B) is correct.