Question

read the sentence.

mustufa ran the 100-meter and 200-meter races but the one he had trained for the hardest was the 400-meter competition.

which is the best revision of this sentence?

• mustufa ran the 100-meter and 200-meter races (but the one he had trained for the hardest) was the 400-meter competition.
• mustufa ran the 100-meter and 200-meter races but the one he had trained for the hardest (was the 400-meter) competition.
• mustufa ran the 100-meter and 200-meter races but (the one he had trained for the hardest was the 400-meter competition).
• mustufa ran the 100-meter and 200-meter races (but the one he had trained for the hardest was the 400-meter competition).

Explanation:

Analyze the original sentence structure

The original sentence is: "Mustufa ran the 100-meter and 200-meter races but the one he had trained for the hardest was the 400-meter competition."
We need to identify the main clause and any nonessential, parenthetical information that can be set off with parentheses.

Evaluate parenthetical information

Using the Parentheses Usage knowledge point:

• Parentheses are used to enclose nonessential information (parenthetical elements) that provides extra detail or commentary but is not grammatically necessary to the main sentence.
• If we remove the parenthetical information, the remaining sentence must still be grammatically complete and make sense.

Let's test the options:

1. Option 1: "Mustufa ran the 100-meter and 200-meter races (but the one he had trained for the hardest) was the 400-meter competition."

• Removing the parenthetical text leaves: "Mustufa ran the 100-meter and 200-meter races was the 400-meter competition." This is grammatically incorrect.

1. Option 2: "Mustufa ran the 100-meter and 200-meter races but the one he had trained for the hardest (was the 400-meter) competition."

• Removing the parenthetical text leaves: "Mustufa ran the 100-meter and 200-meter races but the one he had trained for the hardest competition." This changes the meaning and is awkward.

1. Option 3: "Mustufa ran the 100-meter and 200-meter races but (the one he had trained for the hardest was the 400-meter competition)."

• Removing the parenthetical text leaves: "Mustufa ran the 100-meter and 200-meter races but." This is an incomplete sentence.

1. Option 4: "Mustufa ran the 100-meter and 200-meter races (but the one he had trained for the hardest was the 400-meter competition)."

• Removing the parenthetical text leaves: "Mustufa ran the 100-meter and 200-meter races." This is a complete, grammatically correct independent clause. The parenthetical part adds extra, nonessential detail about his training.

Determine the best revision

Using the Sentence Revision knowledge point:

• Option 4 correctly identifies the entire nonessential clause starting with "but" as parenthetical.
• Therefore, Option 4 is the best revision.

Answer:

• (A) Mustufa ran the 100-meter and 200-meter races (but the one he had trained for the hardest) was the 400-meter competition.
• (B) Mustufa ran the 100-meter and 200-meter races but the one he had trained for the hardest (was the 400-meter) competition.
• (C) Mustufa ran the 100-meter and 200-meter races but (the one he had trained for the hardest was the 400-meter competition).
• (D) Mustufa ran the 100-meter and 200-meter races (but the one he had trained for the hardest was the 400-meter competition). (Correct answer)