At first we thought the dog was dead, but it was...

Appeared in: MNS 2015

Explanation

The sentence uses the conjunction "but," which requires a word that contrasts with "dead.".
"Alive" is an adjective that is the direct opposite of "dead," providing the logical contrast.
The sentence structure "it was..." requires a predicative adjective to describe the subject ("it"), and "alive" functions correctly in this role.

Option A: This is a verb phrase. The sentence 'it was keep alive' is grammatically incorrect.
Option B: This is an idiom meaning 'aware of' or 'sensitive to' something, which does not fit the context of being not dead.
Option C: This is an infinitive verb phrase. Placing an infinitive ('be') after a conjugated verb ('was') is grammatically incorrect in this structure.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain English Grammar: Predicative Adjectives as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Precise and correct grammar is crucial in all professional communication, including nursing, to ensure clarity in patient records, handovers, and instructions.
Using incorrect grammar can lead to ambiguity and misinterpretation, which could compromise patient safety in a clinical setting.
What if? a nurse charted 'Patient was be alive on arrival' instead of 'Patient was alive on arrival'? The grammatical error, while seemingly minor, could cause a reader to question the writer's attention to detail and professionalism, undermining confidence in the documentation.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the sentence structure: '...it was [BLANK]'.
Identify the function of the missing word. Here, it follows a linking verb ('was') and must describe the subject ('it'). This calls for a predicative adjective.
Notice the word 'but,' which signals a contrast. The blank must contain a word that is the opposite of 'dead.'
Evaluate each option for grammatical correctness and logical meaning.
Eliminate 'Keep Alive' and 'Be Alive' as they create grammatically incorrect verb constructions.
Eliminate 'Alive To' as it's an idiom that doesn't fit the context.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full MNS 2015

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.