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Difficulty: HardSubordination and Coordination

The following passage is adapted from a historical account of scientific discoveries:

In 1856, eighteen-year-old chemist William Henry Perkin attempted to synthesize quinine, a drug used to treat malaria. <u>Although his experiment yielded a dark, sludge-like residue rather than the clear medicine he sought, but he</u> did not discard the mixture. Instead, he investigated the substance's properties and discovered mauveine, the first synthetic dye.

Which option is the most grammatically correct replacement for the underlined portion?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. B
    His experiment yielded a dark, sludge-like residue rather than the clear medicine he sought, he
  3. Although his experiment yielded a dark, sludge-like residue rather than the clear medicine he sought, heAnswer
  4. D
    Although his experiment yielded a dark, sludge-like residue rather than the clear medicine he sought; he

Answer

Although his experiment yielded a dark, sludge-like residue rather than the clear medicine he sought, he
The correct option properly uses the subordinating conjunction 'Although' to introduce a dependent clause ('Although his experiment yielded a dark, sludge-like residue rather than the clear medicine he sought'), which is followed by a comma and a complete independent clause ('he did not discard the mixture'). This structure properly establishes the contrast between the experiment's yield and Perkin's action without grammatical error.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the relationship between the two clauses.
The clause describing the experiment's unfavorable result ('yielding a dark residue') contrasts with the chemist's decision ('he did not discard the mixture'), indicating a concessive relationship.
Understanding the logical connection is necessary to choose the correct subordinating or coordinating conjunction.
2
Evaluate the grammar of the original sentence.
The original sentence uses both 'Although' and 'but' together, which is redundant and leaves the sentence without a main independent clause.
A dependent clause starting with a subordinating conjunction cannot be joined to an independent clause using a coordinating conjunction like 'but'.
3
Eliminate options with punctuation or run-on errors.
Using a semicolon to separate the dependent clause starting with 'Although' is incorrect. Removing 'Although' while keeping the comma results in a comma splice between two independent clauses.
Semicolons can only separate independent clauses, and independent clauses cannot be joined by a comma alone.
4
Identify the option that maintains grammatical correctness.
The option that retains 'Although' to subordinate the first clause and uses a comma before the independent clause is selected.
This establishes a correct complex sentence structure with a dependent clause followed by an independent clause.

Key Concept

Subordination and Coordination
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Subordination and Coordination

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