Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: some participants started
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:The correlative structure is “No sooner … than …”. After the introductory clause with inversion, “than” must immediately introduce the next clause. The sentence omits “than.”
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:Recognize the fixed correlative pair: “No sooner … than …”. The absence of “than” is an error in C, because that is the position where it should occur: “than some participants started …”.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Confirm A: Inversion with “did” is correct.Confirm B: Base verb “begin” after “did” is correct.Correct C: Insert “than” → “than some participants started …”.D is fine as a participial object complement.Verification / Alternative check:
Full correction: “No sooner did the chairman begin speaking than some participants started shouting slogans.”Why Other Options Are Wrong:
A, B, D are grammatical; only the missing correlative “than” in C causes the error.Common Pitfalls:
Forgetting the required pair “no sooner … than …”; using “when” instead of “than” in this structure.Final Answer:some participants started
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