Question 37: Mark the letter A, B, C or D to show the underlined part that needs correction. (A) Mining over 2,000 years (B) ago, copper is one of (C) the earliest (D) known metals.

Shorten adverbial clauses:

– Adverb clauses are clauses connected by conjunctions such as when, because, while…

+ Shortening conditions: The subject of both sides is the same

Shortcut method:

– Drop the conjunction (or leave it as a preposition)

– If you take the initiative, change the verb to V-ing

– In the passive, use pp (but if you keep the conjunction, or you have NOT, you must leave to be and add ing to to be: (being + pp)- except for the conjunctions when, if, though, it is possible. leave the big be.

For conjunctions when, as (when) where the main verb in that clause is to be + N and means “is”, you can omit to be and keep the noun.

E.g1: When I see him, I will give him this gift. (active)

-> When seeing him, I will give him this gift, (when the conjunction can be kept)

-> Seeing him, I will give him this gift, (unlink when)

E.g2: When I was given a watch by mymother, I felt very happy.

-> When being given a watch by my mother, I felt very happy, (leave the conjunction when to be => being PP)

-> When given a watch by my mother, I felt very happy, (if it’s a conjunction when, you can omit “to be”)

-> Given a watch by my mother, I felt very happy, (remove conjunctions)

Therefore:

Unabridged sentence: Because copper was mined over 2,000 years ago, copper/ it is one of the earliest known metals. (same subject)

-> Mined over 2,000 years ago, copper/ it is one of the earliest known metals, (shortened adverbial clause in the passive)

Copper was mined over 2000 years ago so it is one of the earliest known metals.

=> Answer A (Mining -> Mined)