Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: Part B: "unbelievably really quite"
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question focuses on the correct and natural use of degree adverbs before an adjective. The sentence attempts to intensify the adjective "delightful" by piling up several adverbs: "unbelievably really quite". Your task is to identify which part of the sentence is ungrammatical or unidiomatic, paying special attention to modifier order and redundancy.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
In English, we can use adverbs of degree such as "very", "quite", "really", and "extremely" to modify adjectives. However, it is unusual and stylistically poor to stack three or more such adverbs together before a single adjective, especially with no logical order. Native usage typically allows one, or at most two, related degree adverbs. A natural phrase might be "really quite delightful" or "unbelievably delightful", but "unbelievably really quite delightful" is clumsy and redundant, so the error lies in the choice and arrangement of adverbs in Part B.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Check Part A: "I saw his". This is a correct start to a sentence, introducing the subject and verb in simple past tense.
Step 2: Examine Part C: "delightful cottage." This correctly uses the adjective "delightful" to describe the noun "cottage".
Step 3: Focus on Part B: "unbelievably really quite". These are three adverbs of degree placed one after another with no clear hierarchy or necessity.
Step 4: Standard English prefers something like "really quite delightful" (two degree adverbs) or a single powerful adverb like "unbelievably delightful".
Step 5: Hence, the unnatural and incorrect stacking of three degree adverbs in Part B is considered the error in the sentence.
Verification / Alternative check:
Rewrite the sentence in more natural English: "I saw his really quite delightful cottage" or "I saw his unbelievably delightful cottage." Both alternatives sound smooth and idiomatic. In comparison, "I saw his unbelievably really quite delightful cottage" feels overloaded and awkward. Since error-spotting questions in exams emphasise natural standard usage, Part B must be marked as erroneous.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes assume that adding more intensifying adverbs automatically makes English more expressive. In reality, overloading sentences with multiple degree words makes them sound clumsy or non native. Good English writing usually selects one strong adverb or a well known pair, such as "really quite" or "very extremely" only in special emphasis. In exams, if a string of adverbs appears exaggerated or unbalanced, it often signals the erroneous part.
Final Answer:
The incorrect segment is Part B: "unbelievably really quite"; it should be reduced and reordered, for example, to "really quite" or "unbelievably", before "delightful cottage".
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