Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: 3
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This is an error spotting question that focuses on the correct placement and use of an adverb in a sentence. The sentence describes someone lowering how much they consume, probably in the context of food, electricity or spending. You must identify which part contains a grammatical or usage error according to standard English rules used in competitive exams.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
In English, adverbs such as considerably usually come either directly after the verb phrase or at the end of the clause. The pattern consumption to considerably is ungrammatical because the adverb appears after the preposition to with no following noun or phrase. The word to normally introduces a limit or amount (for example, to a very low level), not an adverb on its own. Therefore, the error lies in the third part of the sentence and can be corrected by moving the adverb to another position or adding a proper object after to.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Read the sentence aloud: She has reduced her consumption to considerably.Step 2: Notice that after the preposition to we would expect a noun phrase such as a minimum or a lower level, not just an adverb.Step 3: Consider the idiomatic alternatives: She has considerably reduced her consumption or She has reduced her consumption considerably.Step 4: Confirm that segments 1 and 2, She has reduced her, are grammatically correct and complete part of the verb phrase.Step 5: Identify that the error is located in segment 3, consumption to considerably, because of the incorrect construction.Step 6: Conclude that option 3 is the correct answer, indicating the part with the error.
Verification / Alternative check:
Rewrite the sentence correctly: She has reduced her consumption considerably. Now break it into the same segments: She has (1) reduced her (2) consumption considerably (3). In this version, the third part is also where the change occurs. This confirms that segment 3 in the original sentence is the problematic one and requires correction. You could also say She has considerably reduced her consumption, where considerably would move into segment 2, but exam questions usually mark the most obvious error rather than every possible improvement.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option 1: She has is a correct auxiliary plus subject combination and does not contain any grammatical error. Option 2: reduced her is the beginning of the verb phrase with its object. It is perfectly acceptable in the sentence. Option 4: No error would only be correct if none of the segments contained any mistake, but we have already identified the issue in segment 3, so this cannot be chosen.
Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may feel that the sentence sounds slightly odd but fail to pinpoint the exact error and may choose No error out of confusion. Others may suspect something in segments 1 or 2 because they focus on the present perfect but overlook the more obvious structural mistake in the phrase consumption to considerably. To avoid such mistakes, pay special attention to the words that follow prepositions like to, of and for. When an adverb appears after such a preposition with no supporting noun, it is usually a sign of incorrect structure in exam style sentences.
Final Answer:
The error is in part 3, where consumption to considerably should be corrected to a structure such as consumption considerably or to a considerably lower level.
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