OpenSAT

Question #N1023

A new study found that people who have a strong sense of purpose in life tend to be more resilient in the face of adversity. The study, which was conducted by a team of researchers at a major university, surveyed a large sample of participants, asking them about their sense of purpose and their ability to cope with challenges. The researchers discovered that those who were able to identify a clear purpose in life were more likely to bounce back from setbacks. They also discovered that people with a strong sense of purpose were more likely to have a positive outlook on life and to be optimistic about the future.

Which choice provides the best way to combine the sentences in the underlined portion of the passage to create a more concise and grammatically correct sentence?

A. The researchers discovered that people with a strong sense of purpose were more likely to bounce back from setbacks, and they were more likely to have a positive outlook on life and to be optimistic about the future.

B. The researchers discovered that those who were able to identify a clear purpose in life were more likely to bounce back from setbacks, to have a positive outlook on life, and to be optimistic about the future.

C. The researchers discovered that those who were able to identify a clear purpose in life were more likely to bounce back from setbacks, have a positive outlook on life, and be optimistic about the future.

D. The researchers discovered that people with a strong sense of purpose were more likely to bounce back from setbacks, to have a positive outlook on life, and be optimistic about the future.

Reveal Answer Go Back

Correct Answer is: C

Choice C provides the most concise and grammatically correct combination of the two sentences. The use of the comma after "setbacks" correctly connects the two independent clauses, and the use of the infinitive phrase "to be optimistic about the future" avoids the repetition of "were more likely" that occurs in Choices A, B, and D.