Question

The first shots of the American Revolution, fired at Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, were, according to legend, heard around the world, but news of these shots, which were sent by swift messenger, took four days in reaching New York City as well as another additional eleven days to reach Charleston, South Carolina.(A) shots, which were sent by swift messenger, took four days in reaching New York City as well as another additional eleven days(B) shots that was sent by swift messenger took four days in order to reach New York City, and also another eleven days(C) shots that were sent by swift messenger took four days to reach New York City and another eleven days(D) shots took four days by swift messenger in order to reach New York City and another eleven days in addition(E) shots took four days by swift messenger to reach New York City and another eleven days

Answer 1

Answer: E

Explanation: A) "news" is singular so "were" should be singular, i.e. "was"

B) redundant, unnecessary

C) plural/singular subject/verb concordance

D) "in order" is wordy, redundant and unnecessary. "in addition" is used improperly. Although this does have the correct structure of the idiomatic "in addition to", it is used incorrectly. "in addition to" should begin a phrase/complete thought; should start a sentence, right after conjunction or comma.

E) active tense, bypassing plural/singular agreement problem; this is tricky! Correct, concise sentence. If you have issues with modifier "by swift messenger", this is modifying "four days". e.g. the mail took four days by post to arrive. "by post" lets us know what type of mailing method took four days.