Water boils at around 212°F at sea level, but in Superior, Colorado (elevation: 5,495 feet above sea level), it boils at around 202°F. Food writer J. Kenji López-Alt, who explores the science behind cooking, __ that lower boiling points at higher elevations "can wreak all sorts of havoc on recipes."
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Explanation
Context: The subject is "Food writer J. Kenji López-Alt" — singular. The relative clause "who explores the science behind cooking" is a nonessential modifier.
Answer: B) Explains
Why? Singular subject "Food writer J. Kenji López-Alt" → singular present verb "explains." Simple present for what he regularly says/writes.
Traps:
- A) Explain → plural, wrong for singular subject
- C) Have explained → plural perfect, wrong number
- D) Are explaining → plural progressive, wrong number