Objects orbiting in the outer solar system between Jupiter and Neptune, such as 2010 BK118, a 46-kilometer-wide body first detected in 2010, _____ both asteroidal and comet-like characteristics, being closer in size and appearance to asteroids but traveling in an elliptical orbit more closely resembling that of comets.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Explanation
Context: The true subject is "Objects orbiting in the outer solar system between Jupiter and Neptune" — plural. The parenthetical example "such as 2010 BK118..." is a distractor.
Answer: B) display
Why? Plural subject "Objects" → plural present verb "display." Simple present for a scientific classification.
Traps:
- A) is displaying → singular progressive, wrong number
- C) displays → singular, wrong for plural "Objects"
- D) has displayed → singular perfect, wrong number