Question

Her child received good grades in his exams. She heard the news. She clapped with joy.
Choose the option that best combines the sentences.
a. NO CHANGE
b. Her child received good grades in his exam and she heard the news and clapped with joy.
c. Upon hearing the news of the good grades her child received in his exam, she clapped with joy.
d. Upon receiving the good grades in his exam, she heard the news and clapped with joy.

Answer 1

Hint:The student should examine the structure of the sentences in the options and check which of the options does not change the meaning and combines all the three sentences in a grammatically sound manner.

Complete answer:
In this question, it will be helpful for the student to recall the concept of a gerund (since the given correct answer required a gerund to be used). A gerund is a noun formed from a verb (such as the `-ing' form of an English verb when used as a noun).
Let us analyze the options given to us in this question -
Option (a.), 'NO CHANGE', is incorrect as the sentences are not combined.
Option (b.), ‘Her child received good grades in his exam and she heard the news and clapped with joy', is incorrect as it does not use the gerund ‘hearing’ which should be used since the verb that should be used exclusively is hear as it sequentially comes first.
Option (c.), ‘Upon hearing the news of the good grades her child received in his exam, she clapped with joy', is correct as it uses the gerund ‘hearing’ which should be used since the verb that should be used exclusively is hear as it sequentially comes first.
Option (d.), ‘Upon receiving the good grades in his exam, she heard the news and clapped with joy', is incorrect as it does not use the gerund ‘hearing’ which should be used since the verb that should be used exclusively is hear as it sequentially comes first.
Therefore, option (C) is correct.

Note: Gerunds and infinitives can replace a noun in a sentence. The main verb of the sentence determines whether you will use a gerund or an infinitive. eg: -I expect to have the results of the exam soon. (Infinitive) -I anticipate having the project completed eventually. (Gerund)