Correct Answer: E
Explanation:
This question focuses on verb tense and agreement, as well as general rhetorical construction. In this sentence all of the verbs agree with their subjects. However, the phrase before reaching the stomach does not have a clear subject. It appears to modify they, the chickens, instead of food. The present tense verb swallow should be replaced with the present perfect verb have swallowed in order to indicate that the swallowing occurred before the use of the stones.
A. The phrase before reaching the stomach does not have a clear subject. It appears to modify they, the chickens, instead of food. The present tense verb swallow should be replaced with the present perfect verb have swallowed in order to indicate that the swallowing occurred before the use of the stones.
B. The singular verb is does not agree with the plural subject stones. Is should be in the plural form are.
C. swallow should be in past perfect have swallowed
D. The phrase before reaching the stomach does not have a clear subject. It appears to modify they, the chickens, instead of food. The singular verb is does not agree with the plural noun stones. Is should be in the plural form are.
E. This sentence is correct as is. In this sentence all of the verbs agree with their subjects and are in the correct tenses. The modifying phrases do not allow for any confusion.