Vocabulary 4000 - Noel's ESL eBook Library

Idiom & Usage 145
Choice (D) is incorrect. Generally, relative pronouns such as
that refer to whole ideas in previous clauses or sentences. Since the
second sentence is about the fault and not its discovery, the pronoun
that is appropriate.
Choice (E) is very tempting. It actually reads better than choice
(A), but it contains a subtle flaw. One is the direct object of the verb
believes and therefore cannot be the subject of the verb acts. Since
they clearly is not the subject, the verb acts is without a subject.
Choice (B) has both the correct pronoun and the correct verb
form. The answer is (B).
6. A bite from the tsetse fly invariably paralyzes its victims unless an antidote
is administered within two hours.
(A) its victims unless an antidote is administered
(B) its victims unless an antidote can be administered
(C) its victims unless an antidote was administered
(D) its victims unless an antidote is administered to the victims
(E) its victims unless they receive an antidote
Choice (A) is incorrect since it is unclear whether the victim or the
fly should receive the antidote.
Choice (B) is incorrect since is is more direct than can be.
Choice (C) is incorrect. A statement of fact should be
expressed in the present tense, not the past tense.
Choice (D) is wordy. A pronoun should be used for the phrase
the victims.
Choice (E) is the answer since they correctly identifies who
should receive the antidote.