Question

Change the underlined part of the numbered line in the passage, if required:

[3] 'can pollute waterways', depleting the oxygen content of streams and rivers.

• A. NO CHANGE
• B. Can pollute waterway's
• C. Could have polluted waterways
• D. Has polluted waterway's

Answer 1

The correct option is A NO CHANGE

The use of "if" in line [3] in the present tense indicates a possible condition, and not a past one, hence the present tense verb "can" is used. And the word "waterways" is in plural form, and not possessive. 'Waterway's' does not express possession of anything after (options and D). Hence, no change is required and Option A is correct.

The rest of the options do not express this condition.

'Could' and 'has' express past actions that have already happened (options C and D). Hence, they're incorrect.