Question

which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of standard english?
a) underlies
b) is underlying
c) underlie
d) has been underlying

american abstract artist richard ____ his installations to make passersby keenly aware of how bodily movements are affected by the physical features of one’s environment, assembles large - scale steel - plated sculptures that dominate the outdoor spaces they occupy.
which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of standard english?
a) serra is intending
b) serra intends
c) serra, intending
d) serra, intends

Explanation:

Question 1 (First Text Completion)

To solve this, we analyze the subject-verb agreement. The subject here is "the emotional reactions", which is plural. So we need a plural verb.

• Option A: "underlies" is singular (third - person singular), so it's incorrect.
• Option B: "is underlying" is a singular verb form (present continuous), incorrect for a plural subject.
• Option C: "underlie" is the base form (plural verb form, suitable for present tense and plural subject), correct.
• Option D: "has been underlying" is a singular verb form (present perfect continuous), incorrect for a plural subject.

We need to find the correct subject - verb structure. The subject is "Richard Serra". The sentence structure requires a main verb.

• Option A: "Serra is intending" is present continuous, but the context seems to be a general statement, and simple present is more appropriate. Also, the comma usage is incorrect as it would create a non - standard structure.
• Option B: "Since Serra intends" is incorrect because "since" would make the first part a dependent clause, and the sentence structure would be wrong as we need an independent clause with the subject "Richard Serra" and a main verb.
• Option C: "Serra, intending" is a participial phrase, which would make the sentence lack a main verb (a fragment), incorrect.
• Option D: "Serra intends" has the correct subject - verb agreement (third - person singular subject "Richard Serra" with the verb "intends" in simple present, which is appropriate for a general statement about the artist's intention).

Answer:

C. underlie

Question 2 (Second Text Completion)