Question

read the paragraph.
1 thomas jefferson was the primary author of the declaration of independence. 2 jefferson began writing in early june of 1776, and he took three weeks to finish the first draft. 3 the delegates of the second continental congress reviewed the document during the last week of june.
which is the best way to revise sentence 2 to improve sentence variety in the paragraph?
○ in early june 1776, jefferson began writing, and he took three weeks to finish the first draft.
○ jefferson, who began writing in early june 1776, took three weeks to finish the first draft.
○ the first draft, which jefferson began writing in early june 1776, took him three weeks.
○ jefferson took three weeks to finish the first draft, which he began writing in early june 1776.

Explanation:

The original paragraph starts with two simple sentences structured as [Subject + Verb + Object]. To improve variety, we need a sentence that uses a different structure (like a non-restrictive clause) while retaining all original information.

• The first option keeps the compound sentence structure, no variety gain.
• The third option omits key info (that he finished the first draft).
• The fourth option shifts focus but doesn't create a distinct structural variety as effectively as the second.
• The second option uses a non-restrictive relative clause to embed the timing detail, changing the sentence structure from the original simple sentences, adding variety while preserving all meaning.

Answer:

Jefferson, who began writing in early June 1776, took three weeks to finish the first draft.