Find the part of the sentence that contains an error: That the framework lacks provisions for backward compatibility (1)/ is less…

Question

Find the part of the sentence that contains an error:

That the framework lacks provisions for backward compatibility (1)/ is less problematic than the assumption (2)/ that all peripheral institutions will, without coercion, (3)/ adheres to the central directive as framed. (4)

1. A. (1)
2. B. (2)
3. C. (3)
4. D. (4) (Correct answer)

Correct Answer

Option D — (4)

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is (4).

Key Points

• The error is in part (4): *adheres* must be adhere.
• The verb is governed by the modal will in part (3) — *all peripheral institutions will … adhere* — and a modal is always followed by the bare infinitive.
• The parenthetical 'without coercion' separates the modal from its verb, which is what makes the mistake easy to miss.

Additional Information

• Modals — *will, shall, can, could, may, might, must, should, would* — never take *-s*, *-ed* or *to* on the verb that follows them.
• The sentence also front-loads a noun clause ('That the framework lacks…'), a structure examiners like because the distance between subject and verb hides agreement faults.
• When an inserted phrase sits between a modal and its verb, mentally delete the commas and read the two together — *will adhere* is instantly correct, *will adheres* instantly wrong.