Texas Court Reporter Practice Exam

What is the correct word to complete the sentence: The wheel (which, that) squeaks is at the back of the car.

1. Which

2. That

3. Who

4. Whom

The correct answer is: That

The word "that" is appropriately used in this context because it introduces a restrictive clause, which provides essential information about the noun it modifies. In the sentence, "The wheel that squeaks is at the back of the car," the clause "that squeaks" identifies a specific wheel—namely, the one that is experiencing the squeaking. Without this clause, the meaning of the sentence would change, as it would not specify which wheel is being referred to. Using "which" instead of "that" in this context would imply a non-restrictive clause, typically set off by commas, suggesting that the information about the wheel squeaking is additional rather than essential. In this case, since the squeaking is crucial to understanding which wheel is being discussed, "that" is the correct choice. The other options, "who" and "whom," pertain to individuals rather than objects, making them unsuitable for a sentence about a wheel. "Who" is used for subjects of a verb, while "whom" is used for objects of a verb or preposition, neither of which applies here. Thus, "that" is the most fitting choice to convey the intended meaning.