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Difficulty: MediumCommas with Lists, Clauses, and Coordinate Adjectives

In the sentence below, a portion is underlined.

While cataloging organic specimens in the subterranean cavern, speleologists recorded ambient temperature, gathered mineral runoff samples, and they analyzed structural stability.

Which of the following options best revises the underlined portion to maintain correct punctuation and sentence structure?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. B
    samples; and analyzed structural stability.
  3. samples, and analyzed structural stability.Answer
  4. D
    samples, analyzed structural stability.

Answer

The correct choice is 'samples, and analyzed structural stability.' because it maintains parallel verb structure across the list of actions and applies standard comma-conjunction formatting before the final item.
The correct answer correctly completes the list of three past-tense verb phrases ('recorded', 'gathered', and 'analyzed') by placing a comma and the conjunction 'and' before the final item, maintaining clean parallel structure.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the grammatical structure of the sentence.
The subject ('speleologists') performs a series of three actions expressed as a compound predicate: 'recorded ambient temperature', 'gathered mineral runoff samples', and a third action.
All items in a list or series must maintain a consistent parallel grammatical form.
2
Determine the correct punctuation and parallelism for the final list item.
Since the first two items are past-tense verb phrases ('recorded...', 'gathered...'), the third item must begin directly with the past-tense verb 'analyzed', preceded by a comma and the coordinating conjunction 'and'.
Inserting a new pronoun subject ('they') violates parallel structure, while omitting the conjunction or using a semicolon violates standard punctuation rules for series.
3
Evaluate the choices to select the grammatically correct option.
'samples, and analyzed structural stability.' properly completes the list with parallel phrasing and correct comma usage.
This option connects all three predicate items smoothly without adding redundant pronouns or improper punctuation marks.

Key Concept

Parallel Structure and Comma Usage in Lists
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Commas with Lists, Clauses, and Coordinate Adjectives

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