A verb form question tests whether a verb does the job its sentence needs. Find the subject and count its main verbs, reading all the way to the period. Main verbs must agree with their subjects and show time, on their own or with helper verbs. If a joining word connects several actions, check the whole list. Verbs in that list need matching forms and matching tenses unless the text gives a reason to change the time.
Hints
- Hint 1
Look at the word joining Lucia’s two tasks. What does it tell you about the job of the missing verb?
- Hint 2
Compare the time of the blank with cataloged. Does the sentence give any clue that Lucia’s second task happens at a different time?
Step-by-step
Count the verbs, then check the list
Step 1Find the first main verb
Lucia cataloged hundreds of plant specimens gives us the sentence’s first task. Who did it, and which word tells us what she did? Lucia is the subject, and cataloged is the main verb, the verb that says what she did. Lucia already has a main verb, but a joining word may allow another.
- Step 2
Check what “and” joins
What does and join in and ______ a comprehensive map? It joins cataloging specimens and making the map, so the blank is another main verb in a list. Items in this list need matching verb forms. The -ing form creating has no helper like is, so it can’t serve as that second main verb.
- Step 3
Match the past tense
During her internship gives the period for Lucia’s tasks. Which form matches the time of her first task? cataloged is in the simple past, the plain past form without a helper verb, so created gives the map task the same form and tense. Choice A.