In the passage on voting behaviour, choose the correct verb form to complete the sentence: "One popular theory proposes that poor people ________ because they are intimidated into doing so."

Introduction / Context:
This grammar and usage question is based on the same passage about voting. The sentence is One popular theory proposes that poor people ________ because they are intimidated into doing so. You must select the correct verb form to maintain tense agreement and express a general truth about voting behaviour.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Reporting verb: proposes, which is in simple present.
• Subordinate clause: that poor people ________ because they are intimidated.
• The statement describes a general pattern or tendency, not a single completed event.
• Options: vote, are voting, have voted, voted, will vote.

Concept / Approach:
When we use a verb like proposes to introduce a general theory about human behaviour, the clause following that usually uses the simple present to express a habitual or general action. Poor people vote because they are intimidated describes a supposed regular pattern. Progressive, perfect, or future tenses would distort this meaning and suggest a specific time frame, which is not intended in a theory statement. Therefore, the verb form must be vote in simple present.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the main verb proposes and note that it presents a general theory.Step 2: Understand that the clause about poor people is describing a regular tendency, not a single incident.Step 3: Recall that general truths and habits are expressed in simple present.Step 4: Test each option in the sentence: poor people vote, are voting, have voted, voted, will vote.Step 5: Confirm that only vote in simple present conveys a general habit that matches the meaning of a theory.

Verification / Alternative check:
Read the full sentence using vote: One popular theory proposes that poor people vote because they are intimidated into doing so. This sounds natural and reflects a general claim about behaviour. Using are voting or have voted makes it sound like a temporary or completed action tied to a particular election, while the passage is clearly discussing voting patterns in general. This confirms that vote is correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• are voting: Present continuous suggests an action happening now or around now, which does not fit a long term theory.
• have voted: Present perfect indicates completed actions up to now and does not express a general tendency.
• voted: Simple past would refer to a particular election or time in the past, which is not the focus here.
• will vote: Future tense suggests prediction about a coming election, not a general explanation offered by a theory.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes choose continuous or perfect tenses because they sound more complex or formal. However, in academic writing, simple present is the standard tense for general truths, theories, and regularly observed patterns. Always match the tense to the type of statement being made: specific events versus general behaviour.

Final Answer:
The correct verb form is vote.