Question

Simplify the underlined part of the given sentence (if necessary):
Diabetes, together with its serious complications, ranks as the nation's third leading cause of death, surpassed only by heart disease and cancer.

• A. ranks as the nation's third leading cause of death, surpassed only
• B. rank as the nation's third leading cause of death, only surpassed
• C. has the rank of the nation's third leading cause of death, only surpassed
• D. are the nation's third leading causes of death, surpassed only
• E. have been ranked as the nation's third leading causes of death, only surpassed

Answer 1

The correct option is A ranks as the nation's third leading cause of death, surpassed only

The given sentence talks about diabetes being the nation's third leading cause of death. The underlined part of the sentence is already simplified and therefore needs no further simplification. Therefore, the correct answer is option A.