Which of the following would be a better form of the bolded selection, andquot;Thus we never live, but hope to live, and while we always lay ourselves outandquot;?a)Thus we never live but hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outb)Thus we never live but, likewise, hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outc)Thus we never live, but hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outd)Thus we never live but, instead, hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Explore Courses UPSC Exam UPSC Test Series Free Notes EduRev Infinity

Open App

ACT Exam > ACT Questions > Which of the following would be a better form...

Which of the following would be a better form of the bolded selection, "Thus we never live, but hope to live, and while we always lay ourselves out"?

a)
Thus we never live but hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves out
b)
Thus we never live but, likewise, hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves out
c)
Thus we never live, but hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves out
d)
Thus we never live but, instead, hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves out

Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Join for Free

Join for Free

Most Upvoted Answer

Which of the following would be a better form of the bolded selection,...

To understand this answer, it is best to consider the incorrect answer: "Thus we never live but hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves out . . ." Note, first, that we can start a subordinate introductory clause with "and," so there is no problem with the way that all of these options separate out the second half of the original sentence. (As it stands, it is too rambling and long.)

Now, considering the given incorrect answer, the critical thing to notice how confusingly it relates the "never living" and the "hoping to live." The author clearly wants to draw attention to these two states of affairs: (1) We are never actually living. (2) Instead, we are only hoping to live (in the future).

Therefore, the best option is the one that makes this contrast obvious by using the adverb, "instead."

Answered by Orion Classes · View profile

View all answers Start learning for free

Explore Courses for ACT exam

Similar ACT Doubts

Adapted from "The Weakness, Unrest, and Defects of Man," from The Thoughts of Blaise Pascal (ed. 1901)We care nothing for the present. We anticipate the future as too slow in coming, as if we could make it move faster; or we call back the past, to stop its rapid flight. So imprudent are we that we wander through the times in which we have no part, unthinking of that which alone is ours; so frivolous are we that we dream of the days which are not and pass by without reflection those which alone exist. For the days of the present generally gives us pain; we conceal it from our sight because it afflicts us, and if it be pleasant, we regret to see it vanish away. We endeavor to sustain the present by the future, and think of arranging things not in our power, for a time at which we have no certainty of arriving.If we examine our thoughts, we shall find them always occupied with the past or the future. We scarcely think of the present, and if we do so, it is only that we may borrow light from it to direct the future. The present is never our end; the past and the present are our means, the future alone is our end. Thus we never live, but hope to live, and while we always lay ourselves out to be happy, it is inevitable that we can never be so.Which of the following is the best form of the bolded selection, “not in our power. . .”?

View answer

Adapted from "The Weakness, Unrest, and Defects of Man," from The Thoughts of Blaise Pascal (ed. 1901)We care nothing for the present. We anticipate the future as too slow in coming, as if we could make it move faster; or we call back the past, to stop its rapid flight. So imprudent are we that we wander through the times in which we have no part, unthinking of that which alone is ours; so frivolous are we that we dream of the days which are not and pass by without reflection those which alone exist. For the days of the present generally gives us pain; we conceal it from our sight because it afflicts us, and if it be pleasant, we regret to see it vanish away. We endeavor to sustain the present by the future, and think of arranging things not in our power, for a time at which we have no certainty of arriving.If we examine our thoughts, we shall find them always occupied with the past or the future. We scarcely think of the present, and if we do so, it is only that we may borrow light from it to direct the future. The present is never our end; the past and the present are our means, the future alone is our end. Thus we never live, but hope to live, and while we always lay ourselves out to be happy, it is inevitable that we can never be so.Which of the following is the best form of the bolded selection, “back the past . . .”?

View answer

Adapted from "The Weakness, Unrest, and Defects of Man," from The Thoughts of Blaise Pascal (ed. 1901)We care nothing for the present. We anticipate the future as too slow in coming, as if we could make it move faster; or we call back the past, to stop its rapid flight. So imprudent are we that we wander through the times in which we have no part, unthinking of that which alone is ours; so frivolous are we that we dream of the days which are not and pass by without reflection those which alone exist. For the days of the present generally gives us pain; we conceal it from our sight because it afflicts us, and if it be pleasant, we regret to see it vanish away. We endeavor to sustain the present by the future, and think of arranging things not in our power, for a time at which we have no certainty of arriving.If we examine our thoughts, we shall find them always occupied with the past or the future. We scarcely think of the present, and if we do so, it is only that we may borrow light from it to direct the future. The present is never our end; the past and the present are our means, the future alone is our end. Thus we never live, but hope to live, and while we always lay ourselves out to be happy, it is inevitable that we can never be so.If we accept the rhetorical device that the author uses in the sentence fragment, which following is the best form of the bolded selection, “For the days of the present generally . . .”?

View answer

Adapted from "The Weakness, Unrest, and Defects of Man," from The Thoughts of Blaise Pascal (ed. 1901)We care nothing for the present. We anticipate the future as too slow in coming, as if we could make it move faster; or we call back the past, to stop its rapid flight. So imprudent are we that we wander through the times in which we have no part, unthinking of that which alone is ours; so frivolous are we that we dream of the days which are not and pass by without reflection those which alone exist. For the days of the present generally gives us pain; we conceal it from our sight because it afflicts us, and if it be pleasant, we regret to see it vanish away. We endeavor to sustain the present by the future, and think of arranging things not in our power, for a time at which we have no certainty of arriving.If we examine our thoughts, we shall find them always occupied with the past or the future. We scarcely think of the present, and if we do so, it is only that we may borrow light from it to direct the future. The present is never our end; the past and the present are our means, the future alone is our end. Thus we never live, but hope to live, and while we always lay ourselves out to be happy, it is inevitable that we can never be so.What is the best form of the bolded selection, "The present is never our end . . ."?

View answer

Adapted from The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1774; trans. Boylan 1854)That the life of man is but a dream, many a man has surmised heretofore. I, too, am everywhere pursued by this feeling. When I consider the narrow limits within which our active and inquiring faculties are confined, I am silent. Likewise, when I see how all our energies are wasted in providing for mere necessities, which again has no further end than to prolong a wretched existence, I find myself to be silenced. Indeed, discovering that all our satisfaction concerning certain subjects of investigation ends in nothing better than a passive resignation, while we amuse ourselves painting our prison-walls with bright figures and brilliant landscapes—when I consider all this Wilhelm—I am silent. I examine my own being, and find there a world, but a world rather of imagination and dim desires, than of distinctness and living power. Then, everything swims before my senses, and I smile and dream while pursuing my way through the world.All learned professors and doctors are agreed that children do not comprehend the cause of their desires; however, nobody is willing to acknowledge that the grown-ups should wander about this earth like children, without knowing whence they come or whither they go, influenced as little by fixed motives but, instead, guided like them by biscuits, sugar-plums, and the rod.I know what you will say in reply. Indeed, I am ready to admit that they are happiest, who, like children, amuse themselves with their playthings, dress and undress their dolls. They are happiest, who attentively watch the cupboard, where mamma has locked up her sweet things, and, when at last they get a delicious morsel, eat it greedily, and exclaim, "More!" These are certainly happy beings; but others also are objects of envy, who dignify their paltry employments (and sometimes even their passions) with pompous titles, representing them to mankind as gigantic achievements performed for their welfare and glory. However, the man who humbly acknowledges the vanity of all this, who observes with what pleasure the thriving citizen converts his little garden into a paradise, and how patiently even the poor man pursues his weary way under his burden, and how all wish equally to behold the light of the sun a little longer—yes, such a man is at peace, and creates his own world within himself. Indeed, he is also happy precisely because he is a man. And then, however limited his sphere, he still preserves in his bosom the sweet feeling of liberty and knows that he can quit his prison whenever he likes.Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded portion of the passage. If the bolded portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."

View answer

Top Courses for ACTView all

ACT Mock Test Series 2025

Biology for ACT

How to Prepare for ACT

Mathematics for ACT

Chemistry for ACT

Top Courses for ACT

View all

Which of the following would be a better form of the bolded selection, "Thus we never live, but hope to live, and while we always lay ourselves out"?a)Thus we never live but hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outb)Thus we never live but, likewise, hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outc)Thus we never live, but hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outd)Thus we never live but, instead, hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Share with a Friend

Answer this doubt

Question Description
Which of the following would be a better form of the bolded selection, "Thus we never live, but hope to live, and while we always lay ourselves out"?a)Thus we never live but hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outb)Thus we never live but, likewise, hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outc)Thus we never live, but hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outd)Thus we never live but, instead, hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for ACT 2025 is part of ACT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the ACT exam syllabus. Information about Which of the following would be a better form of the bolded selection, "Thus we never live, but hope to live, and while we always lay ourselves out"?a)Thus we never live but hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outb)Thus we never live but, likewise, hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outc)Thus we never live, but hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outd)Thus we never live but, instead, hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for ACT 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Which of the following would be a better form of the bolded selection, "Thus we never live, but hope to live, and while we always lay ourselves out"?a)Thus we never live but hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outb)Thus we never live but, likewise, hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outc)Thus we never live, but hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outd)Thus we never live but, instead, hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.

Solutions for Which of the following would be a better form of the bolded selection, "Thus we never live, but hope to live, and while we always lay ourselves out"?a)Thus we never live but hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outb)Thus we never live but, likewise, hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outc)Thus we never live, but hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outd)Thus we never live but, instead, hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for ACT. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for ACT Exam by signing up for free.

Here you can find the meaning of Which of the following would be a better form of the bolded selection, "Thus we never live, but hope to live, and while we always lay ourselves out"?a)Thus we never live but hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outb)Thus we never live but, likewise, hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outc)Thus we never live, but hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outd)Thus we never live but, instead, hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Which of the following would be a better form of the bolded selection, "Thus we never live, but hope to live, and while we always lay ourselves out"?a)Thus we never live but hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outb)Thus we never live but, likewise, hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outc)Thus we never live, but hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outd)Thus we never live but, instead, hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Which of the following would be a better form of the bolded selection, "Thus we never live, but hope to live, and while we always lay ourselves out"?a)Thus we never live but hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outb)Thus we never live but, likewise, hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outc)Thus we never live, but hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outd)Thus we never live but, instead, hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Which of the following would be a better form of the bolded selection, "Thus we never live, but hope to live, and while we always lay ourselves out"?a)Thus we never live but hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outb)Thus we never live but, likewise, hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outc)Thus we never live, but hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outd)Thus we never live but, instead, hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Which of the following would be a better form of the bolded selection, "Thus we never live, but hope to live, and while we always lay ourselves out"?a)Thus we never live but hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outb)Thus we never live but, likewise, hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outc)Thus we never live, but hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outd)Thus we never live but, instead, hope to live. And while we always lay ourselves outCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice ACT tests.

Explore Courses for ACT exam