Question

Revising and Editing

Follow the directions below to complete this section.

Lara is writing an advice column to help peers develop a new habit. In her draft, four sections of text have been underlined. In each instance, the underlined text may require a correction or revision. Read Lara’s column, paying special attention to the underlined text, and then answer the questions that follow.

How to Establish a New Habit

(1) Do you always eat breakfast? (2) Studies show that up to one-third of teenagers skip the meal. (3) If you don’t eat a healthy breakfast, there can be negative effects on energy levels, concentration, and grades. (4) In addition, the hunger that sets in later in the day can lead to a person cramming snacks full of saturated fats.
(5) To make changes to your eating habits, first consider the impact your current food choices have on your energy levels and concentration. (6) Then plan meals that are more beneficial for you. (7) Get to bed on time and set your alarm earlier, otherwise, consider preparing your breakfast the night before.
(8) Prevent hunger later in the day: you should eat a protein-carbohydrate combo, such as an egg sandwich, in the morning. (9) Even yogurt and fruit can help you maintain concentration. (10) Then you won’t stuff yourself with doughnuts later in the day.
(11) Experts agree that it takes about ninety days to develop a new habit. (12) Though that might sound overwhelming, if you take small steps and begin by eating breakfast three days a week, you have already begun the journey.


Which revision best corrects the inappropriate shift in mood in sentence 8?
A. Prevent hunger later in the day: people should eat a protein-carbohydrate combo, such as an egg sandwich, in the morning.
B. You prevent hunger later in the day if you were to eat a protein-carbohydrate combo, such as an egg sandwich, in the morning.
C. You are preventing hunger later in the day if you would eat a protein-carbohydrate combo, such as an egg sandwich, in the morning.
D. Prevent hunger later in the day: Eat a protein-carbohydrate combo, such as an egg sandwich, in the morning.

Answer 1

D. "Prevent hunger later in the day: Eat a protein-carbohydrate combo, such as an egg sandwich, in the morning."

Explanation: This keeps the imperative mood consistent with the surrounding advice (commands like "Get to bed on time") and avoids the awkward shift to a recommendation phrased with "you should" or conditional constructions.