Question

    In the question below, a sentence is given with a part of it printed in bold type. That part may contain a grammatical error. Each sentence is followed by phrases 1), 2), 3) and 4). Find out which phrase should replace the phrase given in bold to correct the error, if there is any, and to make the sentence grammatically meaningful and correct. 

    Before Harris spoke in church, Biden were surveying

    hurricane damaged over a helicopter flight between Tampa and St. Pete Beach on the Gulf Coast.
    A was surveying hurricane damage onto a Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    B were surveyed hurricane damaged on an Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    C was surveying hurricane damage on a Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    D had surveyed hurricane damage when a Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    E no correction required Correct Answer Incorrect Answer

    Solution

    The original phrase "Biden were surveying hurricane damaged" contains two errors. First, "were" should be "was" to agree with the singular subject "Biden." Second, "hurricane damaged" should be corrected to "hurricane damage," which accurately describes the destruction caused by the hurricane. The preposition "on" is also the correct choice for indicating the type of flight. Thus, the corrected sentence would read: "Before Harris spoke in church, Biden was surveying hurricane damage on a helicopter flight between Tampa and St. Pete Beach on the Gulf Coast."

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