Question

Directions: In this question, a part of the given sentence has been underlined as this part may have an error. The first option is the same as the underlined part in the given sentence. Choose this option if you think that the underlined part has no error. Otherwise, choose the option that rectifies the error in the underlined part of the given sentence.
Tropical forests \(\underline{\text{play a key role as the world’s}}\) carbon and wildlife reservoirs.

• A. Play a key role as the world’s
• B. Had played a key role in the world’s
• C. Have been played a key role at the world’s
• D. Has played a key role for the world’s
• E. Plays a key role beside the world’s

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

In the given sentence, we need to identify if there is any grammatical error in the underlined part. The sentence provided is: "Tropical forests \(\underline{\text{play a key role as the world’s}}\) carbon and wildlife reservoirs."

1. The original verb phrase "play a key role as the world’s" uses the verb "play" in the simple present tense. This is appropriate because it describes an ongoing general truth about tropical forests.
2. Let's consider each of the options:
   • Option 1: "Play a key role as the world’s" - This choice correctly uses the simple present tense, which matches the intended meaning of the sentence as a general statement. Hence, there is no error here.
   • Option 2: "Had played a key role in the world’s" - "Had played" is in the past perfect tense, which suggests that the action was completed in the past before another past action, but no such sequence is mentioned. Therefore, this option is incorrect.
   • Option 3: "Have been played a key role at the world’s" - This is a grammatically incorrect construction. The correct form should be "have played." Additionally, using "at" instead of "as" changes the meaning unnecessarily.
   • Option 4: "Has played a key role for the world’s" - "Has played" is in the present perfect tense and "for" suggests purpose or benefit, which slightly shifts the original meaning and does not match the ongoing nature intended in the statement.
   • Option 5: "Plays a key role beside the world’s" - "Beside" implies physical proximity rather than purpose or function, which alters the meaning entirely.
3. Conclusion: The original choice, "Play a key role as the world’s," is grammatically correct and best conveys the intended ongoing importance of tropical forests as carbon and wildlife reservoirs.