548. On the Great Plains, nineteenth-century settlers used mud and grass to build their homes, doing it without timber and nails.
(A) settlers used mud and grass to build their homes, doing it without
(B) settlers used mud and grass to build their homes, did it without
(C) settlers used mud and grass to build their homes, making them while not having
(D) settlers used mud and grass to build their homes, making do without
(E) settlers homes were built of mud and grass, making do without
Solution:
Pronouns + Logical + Wordiness/Awkwardness + Idioms
A and B: homes is plural. "it" (singular) doesn't have a clear antecedent. It referring to mud/grass would be illogical.
E: "settlers' homes" is the subject, creating the absurd meaning that the homes themselves "made do" -- i.e., that the homes built themselves.
C: "while not having" (wordy) is far too inferior to "without".
D: "make do" is an idiomatic expression meaning, roughly, "get the job done" or "accomplish some planned goal". D is the best choice.
Sentence Correction - 1000 Questions with Solution:
(A) settlers used mud and grass to build their homes, doing it without
(B) settlers used mud and grass to build their homes, did it without
(C) settlers used mud and grass to build their homes, making them while not having
(D) settlers used mud and grass to build their homes, making do without
(E) settlers homes were built of mud and grass, making do without
Solution:
Pronouns + Logical + Wordiness/Awkwardness + Idioms
A and B: homes is plural. "it" (singular) doesn't have a clear antecedent. It referring to mud/grass would be illogical.
E: "settlers' homes" is the subject, creating the absurd meaning that the homes themselves "made do" -- i.e., that the homes built themselves.
C: "while not having" (wordy) is far too inferior to "without".
D: "make do" is an idiomatic expression meaning, roughly, "get the job done" or "accomplish some planned goal". D is the best choice.
Sentence Correction - 1000 Questions with Solution: