The ancient temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia have endured for nearly nine centuries despite exposure to tropical monsoons and...

Let's begin by understanding the meaning of this sentence. We'll use our understanding of pause points and segment the sentence as shown - understanding and assimilating the meaning of each segment bit by bit!

Sentence Structure

• The ancient temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia
  • have endured
    • for nearly nine centuries
    • despite exposure to tropical monsoons and dense jungle growth.
• Archaeologists note
  • that such structures maintain their structural integrity
    • even as (?) withstand(s) stress
      • from root systems and seasonal flooding.

Understanding the Meaning

The first sentence tells us about the ancient temples:

• They're located at Angkor Wat in Cambodia
• They've lasted for nearly nine centuries (about 900 years!)
• They've survived despite really harsh conditions - tropical monsoons and dense jungle growth

Now the second sentence continues the discussion:

• Archaeologists note that such structures maintain their structural integrity
  • "Such structures" means these temples we just talked about
  • They keep their structural integrity - they stay strong and don't fall apart

This is where we have the blank:

• "even as _____ stress from root systems and seasonal flooding"

Let's look at our choices:

• We're deciding between different pronouns (it, one, they, we)
• And different verb forms (withstands or withstand)

To see what works here, let's understand what this whole phrase means:

• "even as [something] withstands stress from root systems and seasonal flooding"
  • This is talking about how these structures handle ongoing pressure
  • Root systems = tree roots growing into and around the structures
  • Seasonal flooding = water damage that happens regularly
  • "Withstand" means to resist or endure something difficult

What do we notice about the structure here?

• The blank needs a pronoun that refers back to "such structures"
  • "Such structures" is talking about the temples
  • "Such structures" is plural
• So we need:
  • A plural pronoun that can refer to structures: "they"
  • A plural verb form: "withstand"

The sentence is saying: These structures stay strong even as they actively withstand (resist/endure) ongoing stress from roots and flooding.

So the correct answer is Choice C: they withstand

GRAMMAR CONCEPT APPLIED

Matching Pronouns to What They Refer Back To

When you use a pronoun, it must match in number (singular or plural) with the noun it's replacing or referring back to - this noun is called the antecedent in grammar terms. This ensures clarity about what you're talking about.

Pattern:

• Plural noun → plural pronoun + plural verb
  • "The temples are ancient. They withstand harsh weather."
  • antecedent = temples (plural) → pronoun = they (plural) → verb = withstand (plural)
• Singular noun → singular pronoun + singular verb
  • "The temple is ancient. It withstands harsh weather."
  • antecedent = temple (singular) → pronoun = it (singular) → verb = withstands (singular)

In this question:

• Antecedent: "such structures" (plural - referring to the temples)
• Pronoun needed: "they" (plural)
• Verb needed: "withstand" (plural)
• Result: "such structures maintain their structural integrity even as they withstand stress"

Why this matters on the SAT:

The test often separates the pronoun from its antecedent with other words and phrases. The key is to:

1. Identify what noun the pronoun is referring back to
2. Determine if that noun is singular or plural
3. Choose the pronoun and verb form that matches