Thank you, Feebs.

The news was a great shock but in a few moments she ---- her thoughts and started to pack a suitcase. A) gathered B) mustered C) collected D) assembled well, A and C seem to be equally correct. Is A better? What do you think? I

For miles around us there was nothing but ---- countryside, with not a plant or tree in sight. A) dry B) arid "arid" seems better in the light of the example below, but why is dry not OK if it is not? Can it be because of "nothing"?

Thank you, Philip. Surely it did.

CalifJim wrote: The sentence is fine. The wide variety of spices and condiments used in sausage making includes salt and, , coriander, nutmeg, cloves, garlic, vinegar, mace, pepper, chili peppers, or pistachio nuts. CJ now all is clear.

CalifJim wrote: D. What did apps.collegeboard.com say the answer was? CJ Well, yes. They said the same thing, but when I read the sentence this part"... includes salt and, depending on the ethnic ..." struck me as peculiar. Nothing wrong

No, they don't. They use it with "hours", but not necessarily. It is five past nine. It is nine o'clock. It is nine.

Part of the following sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Select the option that produces the best sentence. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the

She ---- my friendship thinking she could find better elsewhere. A) declined B) spurned C) refused I think A is the most likely option. What do you think?

Thank you, Clive.