Problem: How does the sentence end?

The finance lady said that Steven was always in debt as opposed to Kevin, due to 
OPTIONS:
- Steven being irresponsible.
- Kevin being irresponsible.
Answer: Steven being irresponsible.
sentence: Patricia always kept a wider tooth comb than Sarah, as  OPTIONS:
- Patricia had straight hair and needed less space in the comb.
- Sarah had straight hair and needed less space in the comb.
complete: Sarah had straight hair and needed less space in the comb.
Jean was writing a long story on paper by using ink, but had to stop short because the 
OPTIONS:
- ink was scarce.
- writing was scarce.
ink was scarce.
Input: Continue writing.

To learn to speak Greek, Michael sought out Joel due to 
OPTIONS:
- Michael being a beginner.
- Joel being a beginner.

Continued: Michael being a beginner.
Story needs to be completed:
The classroom induced more anxiety than the cafeteria because the 
OPTIONS:
- cafeteria was painted in dark colors.
- classroom was painted in dark colors.

My choice:
classroom was painted in dark colors.
Problem: How does the sentence end?

Ian asked Brian to open the lid of the jar because the hands of 
OPTIONS:
- Ian were strong.
- Brian were strong.
Answer:
Brian were strong.