The Suzuki method is an approach to music instruction _____ to teach music in the same natural way children learn language, emphasizes playing instruments from a very young age. In Suzuki cello instruction, students begin their musical education with simple classical pieces like Robert Schumann’s “The Two Grenadiers”.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Explanation
Context: The sentence reads: "The Suzuki method is an approach to music instruction that, aiming to teach music in the same natural way children learn language, emphasizes playing instruments from a very young age." "That" begins a restrictive relative clause, and "aiming to teach music in the same natural way children learn language" is a non-essential participial phrase interrupting that clause before its main verb, "emphasizes."
Answer: D) that, aiming
Why? "That" begins the restrictive relative clause; the comma after "that" opens the non-essential interrupting participial phrase "aiming to teach music in the same natural way children learn language," which is closed by the comma before "emphasizes."
Traps:
- A) "that aims" → makes "aims" the main verb of the relative clause, removing the interrupting phrase
- B) "that has aimed" → past perfect changes meaning
- C) "that. Aiming" → period creates a fragment