The discovery of a previously unknown giant rat and a tiny possum in a

D must be the right answer. SV agreement is being tested here. The discovery is the subject and it is singular

Posted from my mobile device

The discovery of a previously unknown giant rat and a tiny possum in a remote Indonesian jungle demonstrate the incredible diversity in this part of the world and the dangers inherent in the destruction of unexplored jungle anywhere.


A. a previously unknown giant rat and a tiny possum in a remote Indonesian jungle demonstrate the incredible diversity Incorrect

B. previously unknown giant rats and tiny possums in a remote Indonesian jungle demonstrate the incredible diversity Incorrect

C. a previously unknown giant rat and a tiny possum in a remote Indonesian jungle demonstrates how incredibly diverse they are Incorrect

D. a previously unknown giant rat and a tiny possum in a remote Indonesian jungle demonstrates the incredible diversity Correct

E. a previously unknown giant rat and a tiny possum in a remote Indonesian jungle demonstrate how incredibly diverse it is Incorrect


demonstrate is plural form, but The discovery is singular
so, eliminate A, B & E
Between C & D
C - they refers to rat and possum that cant be diverse

Answer D

VERITAS PREP OFFICIAL SOLUTION:

A primary decision point on this problem is the difference between the singular verb "demonstrates" in choices (C) and (D) and the plural verb "demonstrate" in (A), (B), and (E). Here it is important to find the subject of that verb, which appears before the underline: "the discovery."

Note that the prepositional phrase "of a rat and possum" serves to modify the discovery - always be certain to assess modifying phrases when you're looking for the subject of a sentence.

Because the subject "discovery" is singular, you need the verb "demonstrates" and can eliminate (A), (B), and (E).

Between (C) and (D), note the logical problem introduced in (C) with the phrase "they are." That version of the sentence would say, essentially, that the discovery serves to demonstrate how diverse this rat and possum are in Indonesia, an illogical meaning of the sentence, which instead is trying to say that the discovery highlights the overall diversity in the region and the dangers of affecting that diversity with jungle destruction.

Choice (D) uses proper subject-verb agreement and conveys a logical meaning, and is therefore correct.