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Difficulty: EasyRun-on Sentences and Comma Splices

Vertical farms, which are modern agricultural facilities, grow crops in stacked layers. By controlling temperature and recycling water, these systems optimize plant growth, however, they also rely heavily on artificial LED lights. Although setup costs are high, many cities are adopting this technology to increase food security.

Which choice best corrects the underlined portion?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. growth; however, they also relyAnswer
  3. C
    growth; although they also rely
  4. D
    growth. Although they also rely

Answer

growth; however, they also rely
The correct answer correctly uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses ('these systems optimize plant growth' and 'they also rely heavily on artificial LED lights') while retaining the transitional word 'however' followed by a comma.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the two clauses connected in the underlined portion.
Both 'these systems optimize plant growth' and 'they also rely heavily on artificial LED lights' are independent clauses because they can each stand alone as complete sentences.
To determine the correct punctuation, we must evaluate whether the clauses being joined are independent or dependent.
2
Evaluate the use of the transitional word 'however'.
The word 'however' is a conjunctive adverb, not a coordinating conjunction (like 'but' or 'and').
Conjunctive adverbs cannot join two independent clauses with only a comma; doing so results in a comma splice.
3
Select the correct punctuation to join the two independent clauses.
A semicolon should precede the conjunctive adverb 'however', and a comma should follow it.
A semicolon is the standard way to connect two closely related independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.

Key Concept

Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices

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