Question 66·Hard·Form, Structure, and Sense
Chemical engineer Marta Russo notes that the data on pollutant dispersal, along with the metrics for regional air currents, _____ the need for stricter emission standards in coastal cities.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
For Standard English questions about verb forms, first isolate the core subject by mentally removing interrupters set off by commas (such as phrases starting with "along with," "as well as," or "together with"). Decide if that subject is singular or plural, then eliminate any answer choices whose verb does not match that number. Finally, check that the tense and aspect fit the sentence’s meaning—general factual statements almost always use the simple present (plural: "demonstrate"; singular: "demonstrates").
Hints
Strip away the extra phrase
Temporarily remove the part between the commas ("along with the metrics for regional air currents") and read the sentence again. What word is left as the subject of the verb?
Decide if the subject is singular or plural
In scientific and formal writing, is the noun "data" usually treated as a singular word (like "information") or as a plural word (like "results")?
Check verb number and tense
Once you know whether the subject is singular or plural, eliminate any choices whose verb form does not match that number or that use a tense that suggests a specific time instead of a general, ongoing fact.
Step-by-step Explanation
Locate the clause that needs the verb
Focus on the part of the sentence after "that":
"the data on pollutant dispersal, along with the metrics for regional air currents, _____ the need for stricter emission standards in coastal cities."
This is the clause where we must choose the correct verb form for the blank.
Find the true grammatical subject
Ignore the extra information set off by commas. The phrase "along with the metrics for regional air currents" is between commas and acts as a side note, not part of the core subject.
If you remove that phrase, you get:
"the data on pollutant dispersal _____ the need for stricter emission standards in coastal cities."
Here, the subject is "data," which in formal and scientific English is treated as a plural noun.
Match the verb to the subject's number and the sentence context
Because "data" is plural, it needs a plural verb form in the simple present to state a general fact.
- A) "demonstrates" is singular (used with "it"/"he"/"she"), so it does not agree with plural "data."
- C) "has demonstrated" is singular present perfect; with plural "data" it would need to be "have demonstrated," and it also shifts the time unnecessarily.
- D) "was demonstrating" is past progressive and uses singular "was"; it mismatches both time and number.
The only choice that is plural and fits the general, factual tone is "demonstrate" (choice B).