Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence.
The level of the sea globally is rising fast and higher than ever before, creating what the United Nations has described as an “urgent and escalating threat” to people around the world.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
The correct answer is option 4 i.e. “is rising faster and higher than.”
Error Concept: Incorrect use of comparative forms and verb tense.
What is wrong: The original sentence uses “rising fast and higher,” which mixes an adverb with a comparative adjective incorrectly.
Grammar Concept:
Use the comparative adverb “faster” instead of “fast” when comparing the rate of rising.
The verb tense should remain present continuous “is rising” to indicate ongoing action.
“Higher than” is correct as it compares the sea level to previous measurements.
Incorrectness of the concept in context: “Fast and higher” does not correctly convey the comparative degree for the ongoing action of rising sea levels.
Correction: Replace “fast and higher” with “faster and higher.”
Corrected phrase: is rising faster and higher than
Final Sentence: The level of the sea globally is rising faster and higher than ever before, creating what the United Nations has described as an “urgent and escalating threat” to people around the world.
Hence, the chosen option will be correct.