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Question

Difficulty: Very hardSentence-Level Transitions

When sponge divers salvaged the remains of an ancient Roman shipwreck near the island of Antikythera in 1901, they recovered a heavily corroded bronze artifact that initially went unnoticed. The device was encrusted in organic matter and broken into fragments, causing researchers to prioritize the ship's more glamorous cargo, such as marble sculptures and bronze [1] statues. Indeed, radiographic imaging conducted decades later revealed a complex mechanism of interlocking gears, showing that the device was a highly sophisticated analog computer.

Which of the following options most effectively transitions between the two sentences while maintaining proper punctuation?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. statues; however,Answer
  3. C
    statues, consequently,
  4. D
    statues; furthermore,

Answer

statues; however,
The correct answer uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses and selects the transition 'however' to establish the contrast between the initial neglect of the artifact and the subsequent discovery of its internal complexity.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the relationship between the two independent clauses.
The first clause describes how the artifact was initially neglected and prioritized below other cargo. The second clause describes the discovery of its advanced internal gears. This relationship is one of contrast.
Identifying the correct logical transition requires understanding how the two ideas connect.
2
Evaluate the transitions in the options for logical fit.
'However' represents contrast, whereas 'indeed' and 'furthermore' represent addition or emphasis, and 'consequently' represents cause-and-effect.
Eliminating logically incorrect transitions helps narrow down the choices.
3
Check the punctuation rules for joining independent clauses.
Both clauses are independent, meaning they must be joined by a semicolon or period when using a conjunctive adverb. A comma splice is created if they are joined by a comma and 'consequently'.
Ensuring grammatical correctness is necessary to select the final correct option.

Key Concept

Sentence-Level Transitions and Punctuation
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Topics

Sentence-Level Transitions

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