Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A
bounds helped
B
bounds, helping
C
bounds that helped
D
bounds to help
Explanation
Correct answer: A.
Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is finite verb use in a main clause. A main clause requires a finite verb to perform the action of the subject (in this case, Ashford’s “gestures” and “habit”), and this choice supplies the finite past tense verb “helped” to indicate what Ashford’s gestures and habit helped accomplish.
Why the other choices are wrong
Choice B
Choice B is incorrect because the non-finite participle “helping” doesn’t supply the main clause with a finite verb.
Choice C
Choice C is incorrect because the relative clause “that helped” doesn’t supply the main clause with a finite verb.
Choice D
Choice D is incorrect because the non-finite to-infinitive “to help” doesn’t supply the main clause with a finite verb.