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Difficulty: Very hardRun-on Sentences and Comma Splices

To recover audio from fragile nineteenth-century wax cylinders, preservationists use a non-contact optical scanning system to map the grooves. A computer then reconstructs the sound, consequently, this digital restoration bypasses the physical wear caused by traditional playback styluses. By protecting the delicate wax from damage, this technology ensures that historical recordings can be preserved for future generations.

Which of the following options is the most grammatically correct replacement for the underlined portion of the passage?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. sound; consequently, thisAnswer
  3. C
    sound; consequently, which
  4. D
    sound. Consequently, because this

Answer

sound; consequently, this
The correct option properly uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses. Because the clauses are connected by the conjunctive adverb 'consequently', a semicolon is required before the adverb and a comma is required after it.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the clause structure of the sentence containing the underlined portion.
The sentence consists of two clauses: 'A computer then reconstructs the sound' and 'this digital restoration bypasses the physical wear caused by traditional playback styluses.' Both clauses have a subject and a verb and can stand alone as complete thoughts, making them independent clauses.
Determining clause type is essential for choosing the correct punctuation.
2
Evaluate the transition word 'consequently' connecting the two clauses.
'Consequently' is a conjunctive adverb, not a coordinating conjunction.
Conjunctive adverbs require specific punctuation (a semicolon or period before, and usually a comma after) when joining independent clauses.
3
Eliminate options that fail to properly join these two independent clauses.
The original phrasing in the passage creates a comma splice. The option with 'sound; consequently, which' makes the second clause dependent, creating a fragment. The option with 'sound. Consequently, because this' also turns the second clause into a fragment using the word 'because'.
Punctuation must preserve complete sentence structure and avoid run-ons, comma splices, or fragments.
4
Select the option that correctly separates the independent clauses.
The phrasing 'sound; consequently, this' uses a semicolon to separate the two independent clauses, followed by a comma after the conjunctive adverb.
This configuration is grammatically correct and logically sound.

Key Concept

Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices

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