Complete the statement: Among the wealthy, marriage connected powerful families; among the poor, it secured labor for survival.

Complete the statement: Among the wealthy, marriage connected powerful families; among the poor, it secured labor for survival.

• A. wealthy; connecting; poor; labor
• B. wealthy; labor; poor; connecting
• C. poor; connecting; wealthy; labor
• D. wealthy; connecting; wealthy; labor

Answer: (A)

This question tests how to keep parallel structure and clear pronoun reference when contrasting two social contexts. The sentence patterns two contexts—wealthy and poor—and describes what marriage does in each. Using a present participle like connecting after marriage keeps the first half active and ongoing: marriage is seen as a process that links powerful families among the wealthy. In the second half, the same idea is carried forward by referring back to marriage with it and stating the outcome as labor secured for survival among the poor. This pairing preserves a balanced rhythm and a logical flow: the same institution (marriage) is described in two contexts with a consistent grammatical feel, so the sentence reads smoothly and clearly. Other wordings would disrupt the parallel structure or produce awkward grammar, making the comparison less coherent.

This question tests how to keep parallel structure and clear pronoun reference when contrasting two social contexts. The sentence patterns two contexts—wealthy and poor—and describes what marriage does in each. Using a present participle like connecting after marriage keeps the first half active and ongoing: marriage is seen as a process that links powerful families among the wealthy. In the second half, the same idea is carried forward by referring back to marriage with it and stating the outcome as labor secured for survival among the poor. This pairing preserves a balanced rhythm and a logical flow: the same institution (marriage) is described in two contexts with a consistent grammatical feel, so the sentence reads smoothly and clearly. Other wordings would disrupt the parallel structure or produce awkward grammar, making the comparison less coherent.