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Difficulty: Very hardSubordination and Coordination

The following passage is adapted from an article about the history of linguistics.

For decades, efforts to decipher the ancient Mayan script were stalled by the prevailing assumption that the logograms represented whole words rather than individual sounds; since linguist Yuri Knorozov proposed that the glyphs had phonetic values, and this shift in perspective eventually revolutionized the field of epigraphy.

Which choice, if substituted for the underlined portion, makes the sentence grammatically correct and logically coherent?

  1. A
    since linguist Yuri Knorozov proposed that the glyphs had phonetic values, and this
  2. B
    linguist Yuri Knorozov proposed that the glyphs had phonetic values, this
  3. when linguist Yuri Knorozov proposed that the glyphs had phonetic values, thisAnswer
  4. D
    linguist Yuri Knorozov proposed that the glyphs had phonetic values; but this

Answer

The correct option is the one that begins with the subordinating conjunction 'when' and connects the dependent clause to the independent clause with a comma.
The correct option is the one starting with 'when' because it properly uses the subordinating conjunction to introduce a dependent clause, which is then correctly separated by a comma from the main independent clause. This structure avoids fragments, run-ons, and comma splices, while accurately conveying the temporal and logical relationship of the events.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the grammatical structure of the sentence after the semicolon.
The original text features 'since... and this...', which subordinates the first clause but then coordinates the next, leaving the second half of the sentence without a main independent clause.
Identifying sentence components prevents fragments and ensures proper subordination.
2
Evaluate the logical relationship between Knorozov's proposal and the subsequent revolution in epigraphy.
The relationship is temporal and causal: the proposal occurred, which then caused the shift that revolutionized the field.
Choosing the correct transition or subordinating conjunction requires understanding the logical connection between the clauses.
3
Test the options for run-ons, comma splices, and punctuation errors.
The option without any conjunctions creates a comma splice. The option with a semicolon before 'but' creates a punctuation error and uses an incorrect contrasting transition. The option starting with 'when' correctly subordinates the first clause to the main clause.
Eliminating grammatically flawed choices leads to the only correct, standard English structure.

Key Concept

Subordination and Coordination
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Subordination and Coordination

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