For many [years ago], [much of] what was possible to know was
derived [from] inspiration or divination and did not involve the rational
process of reasoning in [wide use] today.
years ago
Correction:
years
Difficulty level:
Medium.
Explanation: ago
is an adverb. For many years is an adverb phrase. We must choose one of
these; we cannot use both of them together. In other words, we could say:
For
many years,...
or
Many
years ago,...
but not
both.
much of
from
wide use
143.
Ayn Rand, ______ novels deal with the nature of capitalism in a
democracy, is often taught in introductory courses in economics.
of many whose
whose many of
whose of many
many of whose
If we make a sentence from the
adjective clause, we would have this sentence:
Many
of Ayn Rand's novels deal with the nature of capitalism in a democracy.
144.
The formation of a rainbow [occurs] a process in which light is
diffused at [varying] rates by the surrounding atmosphere, [resulting in] the
reflection of different [wavelengths] of light.
occurs
Correction: occurs
in
Difficulty level: Hard.
Explanation: occur
is an intransitive verb and can never have a noun as its object.
varying
resulting in
wavelengths
145.
[Though] difficult, it [possible] for an adult learner of a new
language [to master] the subtleties of the grammar and syntax of [the new]
language.
Though
possible
Correction:
it is possible
Difficulty
level: Medium.
Explanation: We
have no main verb in this sentence. Every sentence in English must have a
main verb.
to master
the
new
146.
When a bird molts, ______ loses its feathers, it is actually
preparing itself for the regeneration of the lost feathers.
so its
as if
as when it
Difficulty
level: Hard.
Explanation:
In this sentence, as is a preposition. All prepositions need an
object. In this case, when it loses its feathers is a noun clause and
can be the object of the preposition as.
so that
147.
The scientific method is a system [which] a problem or
challenge [is] identified and possible solutions are created and tested,
[with] the final results evaluated to determine the best approach to the
[resulting] theory.
which
Correction:
in which
Difficulty level:
Hard.
Explanation:
We need
a preposition here. Remember this tip: In an adjective clause, if we have a
complete sentence after which or whom, then we probably need a
preposition.
Here's another
way to understand this question:
The
noun that is modified by the adjective clause is system. The word system
is part of the adjective clause. If we change the adjective clause to a
sentence, we would have this sentence:
A
problem or
challenge is identified and possible solutions are created and tested in
this system.
You can
see from this sentence that we must use a preposition.
is
with
resulting
148.
The Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. is [home to]
the largest [collecting] of Native American artifacts in the United States,
most [of which] remain [uncatalogued] and hidden from public view.
home to
collecting
Correction:
collection
Difficulty
level: Medium.
Explanation: The
noun collection refers to a group of things; the noun collecting
refers the action of collecting.
of which
uncatalogued
149.
Many modern critics of American literature have called Mark
Twain, born Samuel Clemens, ______ .
as America's
greatest writer
was America's
greatest writer
America's greatest writer
Difficulty
level: Hard.
Explanation: call is a
transitive verb and can have one object and one complement, usually a noun, but
sometimes an adjective. In this case, Mark
Twain is the object and America's greatest writer, a noun, is the
complement.
to have been
America's greatest writer
150.
In the modern [era], face-to-face communication is becoming
[near] [as uncommon as] [hand-written] letters.
era
near
Difficulty
level: Hard.
Correction:
nearly
Explanation: near
is a preposition;
nearly is an adverb. We need an adverb here to modify the comparison as
uncommon as.