Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: but he had failed to make any mark in the examination.
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This tests correct use of concessive conjunctions. In English, we do not pair ‘‘though/although’’ with ‘‘but’’; only one marker of contrast should be used.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Use either ‘‘though/although … , …’’ or ‘‘… , but …’’ but not both together. Retain the concessive clause and remove ‘‘but’’ to avoid redundancy.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Locate concessive pair: ‘‘though’’ + ‘‘but’’ → incorrect pairing.Delete ‘‘but’’ to make a clean concessive structure.Correct version: ‘‘… that though his son had worked very hard, he had failed to make any mark in the examination.’’
Verification / Alternative check:
Rephrase with ‘‘although’’ or switch to a simple ‘‘but’’ clause to see that a single contrast marker suffices.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
A–C are grammatically fine and set up the concessive clause correctly; only D introduces the redundant ‘‘but.’’
Common Pitfalls:
Transferring structures from other languages where double marking may be idiomatic; overemphasizing contrast with two conjunctions.
Final Answer:
but he had failed to make any mark in the examination.
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