SAT OwlQuestion bank / Form, Structure, and Sense
In many traditional Japanese gardens, designers arrange stones and plants to suggest larger landscapes. A few carefully placed rocks can represent mountains, and raked gravel can stand in for flowing water. The ______ goal is to create a scene that invites quiet reflection.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
designers
designer's
designers'
designer
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C
The goal belongs to the designers, who are plural in the first sentence. A plural possessive is formed by adding an apostrophe after the s: "designers'."
Choice B is possessive, but "designer's" refers to a single designer, while the text discusses designers in general.
Why the other choices are wrong
- A. "Designers" is a plain plural. The goal belongs to them, so a possessive is needed.
- B. "Designer's" refers to one designer, but the text is about designers in general.
- D. "Designer" is singular and not possessive.
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