Improvement of sentence: a part of the following sentence is considered incorrect. Choose the alternative that best improves the sentence. If no improvement is needed, choose the option marked No improvement. The offerings were placed on the alter.

Introduction / Context:
This sentence improvement question tests spelling, vocabulary, and correct usage in a religious or ceremonial context. The key focus is on the phrase on the alter, where one of the words is incorrectly spelt for the intended meaning. You must select the alternative that makes the sentence correct and natural in standard English.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Original sentence: The offerings were placed on the alter.
• The word alter is underlined and is suspected to be wrong.
• Options include on the altar, on the steps, on the platform, No improvement, and near the altar.
• The context is clearly about offerings in a religious or ceremonial setting, such as a temple or church.

Concept / Approach:
The English language has two similar looking words: alter and altar. Alter is a verb meaning to change or modify something. Altar is a noun referring to a raised structure or table used for religious ceremonies, where offerings and sacred objects are placed. In this sentence, offerings are placed on a physical structure, so the correct word must be altar, not alter. Therefore the phrase should be on the altar.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the area of error: the phrase on the alter. Step 2: Recall the meanings: alter means to change, while altar means a sacred table or platform for worship. Step 3: Check which meaning fits the idea of offerings being placed somewhere. Step 4: Choose on the altar because it gives the correct noun and correct spelling for the religious setting.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider common phrases: offerings on the altar, flowers on the altar, candles on the altar. All use the noun altar. There is no standard expression using alter in this way. You can also notice that replacing alter with altar keeps the structure of the sentence intact and corrects only the spelling and meaning, which is exactly what the question wants.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• on the steps: Changes the meaning, because offerings in a religious ritual are not normally placed on steps.
• on the platform: Too general; it loses the specific religious sense of altar.
• No improvement: Wrong because alter is a spelling error for the intended meaning.
• near the altar: Suggests proximity rather than placement on the sacred structure and does not fix the key vocabulary issue.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners often confuse altar and alter because they sound similar. Another mistake is to focus only on location words like steps or platform instead of noticing the incorrect spelling. In sentence improvement questions, always identify which word is misused and then select the option that corrects both meaning and spelling.

Final Answer:
Correct option: on the altar.