6. Which of the following options is the correct plural spelling?
Answer: D
Syllabi is the correct plural spelling.
The plural form of "syllabus" is "syllabi," which follows the Latin-derived convention for pluralization of words ending in "-us." This option accurately reflects the standard academic terminology used in educational contexts.
A) Theses
"Theses" is the plural form of "thesis," which is a correctly spelled plural. However, it is not the answer to the question, as it pertains to a different root word rather than "syllabus."
B) Parentheses
"Parentheses" is the plural form of "parenthesis" and is correctly spelled. Nonetheless, it does not relate to the word "syllabus" and thus is not relevant to the question asking specifically about the plural spelling of that term.
C) Data
"Data" is a plural noun derived from Latin, with "datum" being its singular form. While "data" can be used correctly as a plural, it does not answer the question regarding the plural form of "syllabus."
D) Syllabi
"Syllabi" is the correct plural spelling of "syllabus" and reflects the appropriate transformation of the term based on its Latin origins. This makes it the accurate choice in the context of the question.
Conclusion
The correct answer, "syllabi," is definitively the right choice as it directly pertains to the pluralization of "syllabus." All other options, while correctly spelled in their own contexts, do not address the specific requirement of the question related to "syllabus." Thus, "syllabi" stands out clearly as the correct response.