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The area surrounded by the Dodecanese islands to
A
the south, the Cyclades and Sporades islands to thewest, and a series of Greek and Turkish islands alongthe Turkish coast comprise the islands collectively
B C
known as the Northeast Aegean islands. No error
D E12.
Check the answer choices one by one.
(A) let’s check the preposition “by.” Can an area be surrounded by? Yes. Make your own
sentence: The football star is always surrounded by pretty girls.
(B) “comprise” is a simple present tense verb, so let’s check S VA. Who or what “comprises”?
Make sure you cross out the prep phrase by the Dodecanese islands to the south, the Cyclades
and Sporades islands to the west, and a series of Greek and Turkish islands along the Turkish
coast. Read the sentence without the prep phrase – The area surrounded comprise.... – “the
area” is singular and “comprise” is plural so change comprise to the singular comprises.
(C) “collectively” is an adverb modifying the verb “known.”
(D) check the preposition “as.” Can you be known as something? Yes. Make your own sentence
if you are unsure: She is known as Cha Cha by her friends.
Revised Sentence:
The area surrounded by the Dodecanese islands to
A
the south, the Cyclades and Sporades islands to the
west, and a series of Greek and Turkish islands along
comprises SVA
the Turkish coast comprise the islands collectively
B C
known as the Northeast Aegean islands. No error
D E
Correct Answer: (B)