Four parts of the following sentence have been underlined. Select the part that is INCORRECT.
According to scientists, the earth was first a globe of highly heated gas, then it became liquid and with further cooling a crust formed in the liquid interior.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is option 1, i.e. in the liquid interior.
Error concept: Preposition usage with reference to layers and positions.
What is wrong: The phrase “in the liquid interior” is not the correct usage here because the crust forms on a surface, not inside it. Saying it formed in the liquid interior is illogical.
Grammatical concept: When something forms on the outer part of another object (like a crust on the Earth), the correct preposition is "on", not "in".
Incorrectness of the concept in context: Here, the sentence suggests that the crust formed inside the liquid, which is scientifically incorrect. The crust forms on the outer surface as the liquid cools down.
How to correct: Replace “in the liquid interior” with “on the liquid interior” or better, “on its surface”.
Correct phrase/ correction: on the liquid interior or on its surface
Final sentence: According to scientists, the Earth was first a globe of highly heated gas, then it became liquid and with further cooling, a crust formed on the liquid interior.
Hence, the chosen option is correct.