Question 125·Medium·Form, Structure, and Sense
Unlike the original manuscript, the edited version of the novel _____ several chapters that explore the protagonist's childhood in greater depth.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
For subject-verb agreement and sentence-completion questions, first strip away introductory phrases (like "Unlike the original manuscript") and prepositional phrases (like "of the novel") to find the core subject. Decide whether that subject is singular or plural, then eliminate any verb choices that do not match in number. Finally, check that the chosen word functions as a complete main verb (not just an -ing form or awkward tense) and that the resulting sentence is clear and logically describes the situation.
Hints
Locate the true subject
Ignore the opening phrase "Unlike the original manuscript" and the prepositional phrase "of the novel." What is the one main thing that is doing the action in this sentence?
Check singular vs. plural
Once you know the subject, ask: is it singular (one thing) or plural (more than one)? The verb in the blank must match that number.
Make sure the sentence is complete
You need a complete main verb in the blank, not just an -ing form or a verb that doesn’t fit the subject. Read the sentence aloud with each option and see which one creates a clear, complete statement about what the edited version does.
Step-by-step Explanation
Find the main subject of the sentence
Ignore the introductory phrase "Unlike the original manuscript"—it is just extra information and not the subject.
Look at the core of the sentence:
the edited version of the novel _____ several chapters...
The main subject is "the edited version", and "of the novel" is a prepositional phrase describing that version. "Version" is singular, so the subject is singular.
Decide what kind of word is needed in the blank
The blank must be filled with a main verb that tells what the edited version does.
The basic structure we want is:
the edited version of the novel [verb] several chapters...
So we need a verb that:
- agrees with a singular subject, and
- functions as the main verb (not a phrase fragment), and
- uses a tense that matches a general statement about what the edited version contains.
Check each choice for agreement and sentence completeness
Now test each option with the subject "the edited version of the novel":
- include → This is a plural verb form (used with "they"), so it does not agree with the singular subject.
- including → This is an -ing form (a participle), not a complete main verb here. It would make the sentence a fragment.
- have included → This is a plural present perfect verb (used with "they"). It does not agree with a singular subject and also is an awkward tense for describing fixed content.
Only "includes" is a singular present-tense main verb that completes the sentence correctly:
Unlike the original manuscript, the edited version of the novel includes several chapters that explore the protagonist's childhood in greater depth.