Which noun refers to the second of two items previously mentioned?

Which noun refers to the second of two items previously mentioned?

• A. The former
• B. Respectively
• C. The latter
• D. To account for

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is how to refer back to one of two items that have been mentioned. When two things are named, English uses terms to point to the first or the second without restating the noun. The intended second item is referred to as the latter. This phrase acts as a stand-in for the second item, so you don’t have to repeat it. For example: “A and B were discussed; the former suggested X, and the latter suggested Y.” That clearly shows the second item is being named without repeating it. The other options don’t fit as well. The phrase for the first item is the former, not the second. A phrase like “to account for” is a verb, not a noun referring to an item. And “respectively” is an adverb used to show that items correspond in order, rather than to name one item itself.

The idea being tested is how to refer back to one of two items that have been mentioned. When two things are named, English uses terms to point to the first or the second without restating the noun. The intended second item is referred to as the latter. This phrase acts as a stand-in for the second item, so you don’t have to repeat it. For example: “A and B were discussed; the former suggested X, and the latter suggested Y.” That clearly shows the second item is being named without repeating it.

The other options don’t fit as well. The phrase for the first item is the former, not the second. A phrase like “to account for” is a verb, not a noun referring to an item. And “respectively” is an adverb used to show that items correspond in order, rather than to name one item itself.