Question : There is an underlined segment in the given sentence. Select the most appropriate option to substitute the segment. If there is no need to substitute it, select 'No substitution required'.
Few women over fifty exercise regularly because they were too busy with work or feel self-conscious.
Option 1: they were not very busy
Option 2: No substitution required
Option 3: they are very busy
Option 4: they are not too busy
Correct Answer: they are very busy
Solution : The correct choice is the third option.
Explanation: The original sentence has an inconsistency in verb tenses. The phrase "because they were too busy with work" is in the past tense, while the second part of the sentence uses the present tense "feel". To maintain consistency and convey a general truth, it is better to use the present tense throughout.
Therefore, the correct sentence should be: Few women over fifty exercise regularly because they are very busy with work or feel self-conscious.