The decorative pottery was originally attributed to Roman craftsmen. However, recent analysis suggests that the work _____ more likely produced...

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 decorative pottery
  • was originally attributed to Roman craftsmen.
• However,
• recent analysis
  • suggests
    • that the work [?] more likely produced by local artisans in the region.

Understanding the Meaning

The first sentence sets up the background:

• 'The decorative pottery was originally attributed to Roman craftsmen.'
  • This pottery was thought to be made by Roman craftsmen.

Now the second sentence introduces new information:

• 'However, recent analysis suggests that...'
  • The word "However" signals a contrast
  • New analysis is revealing something different

This is where we have the blank. Let's look at the choices:

• to be / is / being / having been
  • These are all different forms of the verb "to be"

To see what works here, let's read the rest of the sentence and understand what it's saying!

• 'that the work _____ more likely produced by local artisans in the region.'

Now let's understand what this structure is telling us:

• 'produced by local artisans'
  • The word "by" signals that someone is doing the producing
  • This is a passive construction - the work is being produced BY artisans
  • In passive voice, we need: a form of "be" + past participle
• The structure is: "the work [form of be] produced by local artisans"
  • We need a form of "be" to complete the passive voice
• 'more likely' sits in the middle as a modifier
  • It means "with greater probability"
  • The full phrase is: "the work [be] more likely produced"

What do we notice about what we need here?

• After "suggests that," we need a complete clause with a proper verb
  • Not an infinitive (to be)
  • Not a participle (being, having been)
  • We need a conjugated, finite verb
• The subject is "the work" - singular
• The reporting verb "suggests" is in present tense
  • So we need present tense in the clause

So we need: is - the simple present form that makes "is produced" a complete passive construction.

The correct answer is Choice B: "the work is more likely produced by local artisans."

GRAMMAR CONCEPT APPLIED

Finite Verbs in "That" Clauses After Reporting Verbs

When you have a reporting verb (like "suggests," "believes," "thinks," "says") followed by "that," the clause after "that" needs a complete verb - specifically, a finite verb (called this because it shows person, number, and tense). This is different from infinitives or participles.

Pattern:

• Reporting verb + that + subject + finite verb
• She suggests that the answer is correct. ✓
• She suggests that the answer to be correct. ✗ (infinitive - incomplete)
• She suggests that the answer being correct. ✗ (participle - incomplete)

In our question:

• Recent analysis suggests that the work is more likely produced...
• "suggests" = reporting verb
• "that" introduces the clause
• "the work" = subject of the clause
• "is" = finite verb (present tense, singular, third person)
• "is produced" = passive voice construction (form of be + past participle)

Why we need "is" specifically:

• The subject "the work" is singular → needs singular verb
• The reporting is in present tense ("suggests") → present tense fits
• Passive voice requires: form of "be" + past participle → "is produced"