Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option.
A: Is the math problem very difficult?
B: The problem ______ is not difficult, but it takes a long time to do.

• A. which
• B. that
• C. it
• D. itself

Answer 1

The correct option is D itself

As we can see, the answer is a pronoun. A pronoun can either refer to the subject or the object. Here, there is no object and the subject has already been referred to once. Thus, it can be concluded that the pronoun in the blank refers back to the subject. This can only be accomplished by reflexive pronouns and thus, the answer is a reflexive pronoun.

Option A is incorrect. 'which' is a relative pronoun and not a reflexive pronoun. Thus, it cannot be used to refer back to the subject.

Option A is incorrect. 'that' is a demonstrative pronoun and not a reflexive pronoun. Thus, it cannot be used to refer back to the subject.

Option A is incorrect. 'it' is a third person nominative pronoun and not a reflexive pronoun. Thus, it cannot be used to refer back to the subject.

Option A is incorrect. 'itself' is a reflexive pronoun that can be used to refer back to the subject. Thus, it is the correct answer.