SAT OwlQuestion bank / Form, Structure, and Sense
Hummingbirds have the highest metabolic rate of any warm-blooded animal. To conserve energy on cold nights, ______ can enter a state called torpor, dramatically lowering their body temperature and heart rate.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A
they
B
it
C
one
D
he or she
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A
The pronoun refers to "Hummingbirds," which is plural, and the sentence later uses "their." The plural pronoun "they" is correct.
Choice B is singular, but it refers back to the plural noun "Hummingbirds."
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