Question

Complete the following sentence with the best form of the verb given in the bracket:
The United Nations is drawing up an economic plan aimed at ____________ East Timor with a stronger economy based on coffee. (Provide)
A) Provide
B) Provides
C) To provide
D) Providing

Answer 1

Hint: Verbs are words that signify an action (singing), event (developing), or state of being (exist). Nearly any sentence demands a verb. As its infinitive, the basic form of a verb is known. The Call, Love, Split, and Go forms are all infinitives.

Complete answer:
A participle is required for the given sentence because the verb phrase is already present in the sentence and is complete: "is drawing up (an economic plan)"
In context and grammar, it completes the sentence, so choice D is correct.
Option A: The base verb is 'Provide'. In both context and form, it does not suit the statement. A preposition "to" or a supporting verb "was, was, is, is, etc." is required.
Option B:' Provides' is a simple tense verb in the present, but it does not work into the sentence here. A participle and not a verb is necessary in the sentence.
Choice C: 'To have' is not right since the preposition 'at' already occurs. As each has a different sense, they don't go together.
Option D: 'Providing' is a current participle that modifies "East Timor with a stronger ..." word. (As adjectives, participles function).In context and grammar, it completes the sentence, so choice D is correct. Options A, B and C are therefore incorrect.
Hence the correct answer is option ‘D’.

Note: How to choose its correct form:
i) Determine and what pronoun will replace the topic of the sentence.
ii) Determine which verb ending is synonymous with that pronoun and apply it to the base of the verb that you would like to use in the sentence.