Question

(1) My sister Ellen and I chatted in the living room. (2) "I read an article yesterday," she remarked, "that argued that voting should be made compulsory in the United States-like jury duty. (3) I think you should read the article. (4) The author made some cogent points."(5) Ellen is always trying to improve my mind and ethical standards. (6) I thought I would tease her a bit. (7) "Increase the number of American voters," I observed in a sneering tone, "and you only increase the number of people who make bad choices."(8) She fell for it, responding in the superior way she typically adopts for her lectures to me. (9) "You shouldn't be so cynical. (10) Our political life would be greatly improved by compulsory voting."(11) I had actually read the article myself. (12) I still wanted to annoy her. (13) "I'm sure you will tell me how."(14) "Well, there are several possible benefits," Ellen began. (15) "An increase in voter turnout might cause a growth in civic awareness."(16) "How could you be sure which came first?" I demanded. (17) "Increase in voter turnout might be caused by growth in civic awareness. (18) You'll have to give me something more convincing than that."(19) "Okay, how about this?" Ellen said. (20) "A growth in voter turnout will make our political process more truly democratic. (21) Elected officials don't feel a need to reach out to those who probably don't vote."(22) "I guess I can accept that," I said. (23) "Anything else?"(24) "Yes, and I think this might be the most important benefit," Ellen claimed. (25) "A expansion in number of voters might result in elections that are less polarized. (26) Candidates would not be so likely to pitch their messages to the extremes of the electorate."(27) "You're right, that would be an improvement," I admitted. (28) "The problem is, Americans don't like to be told what to do. (29) Even when it's something that they know they should do-like vote. (30) So the idea of mandatory voting is probably a nonstarter in our political culture."

Question
Which of the following is the best way to revise sentence 7 using a gerund phrase?
Select one:
a. "Increasing the number of American voters," I observed in a sneering tone, "will only increase the number of people who make bad choices."
b. "An increase in the number of American voters," I observed in a sneering tone, ""will only increase the number of people who make bad choices."
c. "To increase the number of American voters,"" I observed in a sneering tone, ""is only to increase the number of people who make bad choices."
d. "To increase American voters," I observed in a sneering tone, "will only increase the number of people who make bad choices."

Answer 1

The best way to revise sentence 7 using a gerund phrase is option a: 'Increasing the number of American voters,' I observed in a sneering tone, 'will only increase the number of people who make bad choices.' This revision uses the gerund phrase 'Increasing the number of American voters' to convey the idea of the action of increasing the number of voters in progress.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best way to revise sentence 7 using a gerund phrase is option a: "Increasing the number of American voters," I observed in a sneering tone, "will only increase the number of people who make bad choices." This revision uses the gerund phrase "Increasing the number of American voters" to convey the idea of the action of increasing the number of voters in progress.

The best way to revise sentence 7 using a gerund phrase is option a. "Increasing the number of American voters," I observed in a sneering tone, "will only increase the number of people who make bad choices." This revision effectively incorporates a gerund phrase into the sentence, which begins with the gerund 'increasing' and includes the action that follows.