Select the correct option:
Seldom ___ a theory provoke such vigorous debate among peers.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
This sentence uses "Inversion," which occurs when we place a negative or restrictive adverb at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis.
The "Seldom" Rule: When a sentence starts with words like Seldom, Rarely, Never, or Hardly, the subject and the auxiliary verb must swap places (inverted).
Standard: A theory seldom provokes...
Inverted: Seldom does a theory provoke...
Subject-Verb Agreement: The subject is "a theory," which is third-person singular. Therefore, we need the singular auxiliary verb "does."
Verb Form: Because we use the auxiliary verb "does," the main verb "provoke" must remain in its base form (V1).