Question

read each sentence and decide whether the underlined portion contains a mistake. if it does, identify the best way to correct or improve the sentence by choosing the appropriate alternative from the answer choices. if the underlined portion requires no correction or improvement, choose no improvement or correction is required.
my mother got a new desk in her office, what was once in belonging to our towns mayor.
which did at one time belong in possession to the mayor of the town.
which, to our towns mayor, once belonged
which belonged, to our towns mayor, once.
which once belonged to our towns mayor.
no improvement or correction is required.

Explanation:

The original sentence has a grammar error. "What" is misused here. A relative - clause starting with "which" (to refer to the "desk") is needed.

• Option 1: "belong in possession" is an awkward and incorrect phrase.
• Option 2: The word order "to our town's mayor" is misplaced and makes the sentence less clear.
• Option 3: The placement of "once" at the end is incorrect.
• Option 4: "which once belonged to our town's mayor" is a correct relative - clause construction. The word order is correct, and "belonged to" is the proper phrasal verb for ownership.

Answer:

which once belonged to our town's mayor.