The Official SAT Question of the Day™

Part of the following sentence is italics; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Select the option that produces the best sentence. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A.

The problem of antibiotic resistance, frequently compounded in certain countries because the sale and use of antibiotics are not tightly controlled.

(A) resistance, frequently compounded in certain countries because
(B) resistance, frequently compounded in certain countries and
(C) resistance, frequently compounded in certain countries when
(D) resistance is frequently compounded in certain countries where
(E) resistance is frequently compounded in certain countries and

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:
This sentence is a fragment as written; there is no verb in the main clause. Of the choices offered, only (C) and (D) correct this problem. (D) is the best choice because the adverb "where" connects the second part of the sentence in a way that clarifies the relationship between the two parts of the sentence. The correct sentence reads: The problem of antibiotic resistance is frequently compounded in certain countries where the sale and use of antibiotics are not tightly controlled.

(A) resistance, frequently compounded in certain countries because
(B) resistance, frequently compounded in certain countries and
(C) resistance, frequently compounded in certain countries when
(D) resistance is frequently compounded in certain countries where
(E) resistance is frequently compounded in certain countries and