Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A
studies
B
are studying
C
have studied
D
study
Explanation
Correct answer: A.
Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-verb agreement. The singular verb "studies" agrees in number with the singular subject "anthropologist Lívia Barbosa."
Why the other choices are wrong
Choice B
Choice B is incorrect because the plural verb "are studying" doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject "anthropologist Lívia Barbosa."
Choice C
Choice C is incorrect because the plural verb "have studied" doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject "anthropologist Lívia Barbosa."
Choice D
Choice D is incorrect because the plural verb "study" doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject "anthropologist Lívia Barbosa."