In the following sentence about the word “Macabre”, identify the part that contains a grammatical error. If the sentence is correct, select option 4 for “No error”.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: 1

Explanation:


Introduction:
Error spotting questions test a learner's ability to notice mistakes in tense, agreement, prepositions, articles, and sentence structure. The sentence given discusses the origin of the significance of the word Macabre. The task is to identify which numbered part contains a grammatical error or to accept the sentence as correct by choosing the no error option. This tests both knowledge of tense patterns and the correct use of auxiliary verbs with main verbs.


Given Data / Assumptions:

    - Part 1: The word Macabre had been gained its significance from its. - Part 2: use in French as la danse macabre for the allegorical. - Part 3: representation of the universal power of death. - Part 4: No error. - We must choose the segment that contains the error.


Concept / Approach:
The key issue lies in the phrase had been gained its significance. In English, a subject does not usually take both a passive auxiliary be and an active verb with its own object in this way. The expression should be either had gained its significance, which is active, or had been given its significance, which is passive. As written, had been gained is ungrammatical, so the error is clearly located in the first segment of the sentence.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the verb phrase in Part 1: had been gained its significance. Step 2: Recognise that the structure combines a passive auxiliary been with an active verb gained followed by an object its significance. Step 3: Understand that correct forms would be had gained its significance or had been given its significance. Step 4: Conclude that Part 1 contains the error and mark option 1.


Verification / Alternative check:
Read the remaining parts of the sentence: from its use in French as la danse macabre for the allegorical representation of the universal power of death. These parts are grammatically sound and clearly express that the French phrase gave the word its powerful association. Only the initial verb phrase breaks standard grammar rules, confirming the choice.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Part 2 correctly uses the preposition in with French and introduces the phrase la danse macabre. Part 3 accurately uses representation of to link the phrase with what it symbolises. Part 4, the no error option, is incorrect because we have already found a definite error in Part 1. Thus only segment 1 has the grammatical mistake.


Common Pitfalls:
Many candidates are confused by complex verb phrases and may overlook extra auxiliary verbs such as been. It is useful to simplify the sentence mentally and check whether the central verb phrase is active or passive. Whenever both a be form and an active verb appear with the same object, recheck the structure carefully for unnecessary auxiliaries or missing past participles.


Final Answer:
1 is the segment that contains the grammatical error in the sentence.

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