Question 163·Easy·Form, Structure, and Sense
While most of the committee's suggestions were adopted without debate, one proposal _____ significant controversy before it was finally approved.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
For verb-form questions, first locate the subject and decide what role the blank plays—does it need to be the main verb of the clause or just a description? Then match the verb tense to the surrounding verbs for consistency (often simple past in narrative contexts). Quickly plug each choice into the sentence and eliminate any option that (1) does not form a complete sentence with the subject, (2) changes the meaning illogically, or (3) breaks tense or voice consistency; the remaining choice is usually the correct one.
Hints
Look at the other verbs
Notice the verbs already in the sentence: "were adopted" and "was approved." What tense are they in, and what does that suggest for the blank?
Decide what the blank must do
The subject of the main clause is "one proposal." Does the blank need to be a description (like an -ing phrase) or the main verb that tells what the proposal did?
Check for a complete sentence
Plug each option into the blank and read the whole main clause out loud. Which choice makes the main clause a complete, clear sentence without adding extra words?
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the sentence structure
Break the sentence into its two parts:
- Dependent clause: "While most of the committee's suggestions were adopted without debate,"
- Main clause: "one proposal _____ significant controversy before it was finally approved."
The blank is in the main clause and must be a main verb for the subject "one proposal."
Match the verb tense to the context
Notice the other verbs:
- "were adopted" (simple past)
- "was finally approved" (simple past)
These show that the sentence is talking about completed actions in the past. The verb you choose for the blank should also be in a simple past form to keep the tense consistent and clear.
Check which choice gives a complete, correctly formed verb
Test each option with the subject "one proposal":
- "one proposal sparking" → uses a -ing form (participle), not a complete verb.
- "one proposal to spark" → uses an infinitive, not a main past-tense verb.
- "one proposal has been sparked" → awkward and incorrect; proposals don't "get sparked" and this passive form doesn't work with "controversy" as its object.
- "one proposal sparked" → simple past verb that clearly and correctly completes the clause: "one proposal sparked significant controversy before it was finally approved."