Question #N966
The scientists presented their findings in a series of reports, each one meticulously detailed. The reports explained the methods they used, the data they gathered, and the conclusions they reached. It was important that the reports were easy to read and understand, for they were intended for a broad audience. They needed to be both clear and concise. Which of the following sentences is written most clearly and concisely?
Which of the following sentences is written most clearly and concisely?Correct Answer is: D
Choice D is the most concise because it avoids unnecessary words and phrases. "They presented their findings" is more concise than "They presented their findings in a series of reports." "Meticulously detailed reports" is more concise than "Each of the reports they presented meticulously detailed." The other choices are all wordy, and some of them contain awkward phrasing. For example, Choice A is incorrect because the modifying phrase "which explained the methods they used, the data they gathered, and the conclusions they reached" is unnecessarily wordy. Choice B is incorrect because the use of a comma after "detailed" creates a comma splice. Choice C is incorrect because itโs grammatically incorrect. The subject of the main clause, "They," is not in the sentence. "Each of the reports" is the subject of the sentence. "They" is not the subject.