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Question

Difficulty: MediumColons

In the following sentence, a portion is underlined: 'To successfully cultivate vanilla orchids, farmers must replicate the vine's native tropical habitat: high humidity, moderate shade, and well-draining soil.' Which choice best completes the sentence, maintaining proper punctuation and grammar?

  1. habitat: highAnswer
  2. B
    habitat including: high
  3. C
    habitat; high
  4. D
    habitat, they require high

Answer

habitat: high
The clause preceding the punctuation is a complete independent clause. A colon is the correct punctuation mark to introduce a list that explains or elaborates on the native tropical habitat.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the clause preceding the punctuation mark.
The clause 'To successfully cultivate vanilla orchids, farmers must replicate the vine's native tropical habitat' is independent because it contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.
A colon can only be placed after a clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence.
2
Analyze the grammatical structure of the phrase following the punctuation mark.
The phrase 'high humidity, moderate shade, and well-draining soil' is a list of noun phrases (not an independent clause).
This helps determine which punctuation marks (like semicolons, which require independent clauses on both sides) are incorrect.
3
Select the correct punctuation mark that connects the independent clause to the list.
A colon is the appropriate choice to introduce a list or explanation that follows a complete independent clause.
This maintains proper sentence structure and adheres to standard ACT grammar rules.

Key Concept

A colon is used to introduce a list, explanation, or definition, but it must be preceded by a complete independent clause.
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Topics

Colons

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