Standard English Conventions

Chief Editor

Mar 17, 2024

Take all 3 MCQs in interactive quiz mode with timer and progress tracking

The Alvarez theory, developed in 1980 by physicist Luis Walter Alvarez and his geologist son Walter Alvarez, maintained that the secondary effects of an asteroid impact caused many dinosaurs and other animals to die ________ it left unexplored the question of whether unrelated volcanic activity might have also contributed to the mass extinctions. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

Difficulty: Easy

out but

out, but

out

out,

A pioneer in the field of taphonomy (the study of how organic remains become fossils), ________ may be just as prevalent in the fossil record as those of thick-shelled organisms. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

Difficulty: Medium

fossils of thin-shelled organisms, Anna Behrensmeyer demonstrated in a 2005 analysis,

Anna Behrensmeyer demonstrated in a 2005 analysis that fossils of thin-shelled organisms

it was demonstrated in a 2005 analysis by Anna Behrensmeyer that fossils of thin-shelled organisms

a 2005 analysis--by Anna Behrensmeyer--demonstrated that fossils of thin-shelled organisms

Because a cycle of lunar phases ________ 29.5 days to complete, it's possible to observe two full moons in a single month, one at the beginning and one at the end. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

Difficulty: Medium

are taking

have taken

take

takes