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Difficulty: HardColons

To successfully preserve the delicate centuries-old tapestry, the conservators used a highly specialized technique: they kept the exhibition room at a constant humidity level and blocked all UV light.

Which choice best punctuates the underlined portion of the sentence?

  1. technique: they keptAnswer
  2. B
    technique, they kept
  3. C
    technique by: keeping
  4. D
    technique, that kept

Answer

technique: they kept
The colon is used correctly here because the clause before the colon is independent, and the clause after the colon explains the specific technique that was used.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the clause preceding the punctuation mark.
The clause 'To successfully preserve the delicate centuries-old tapestry, the conservators used a highly specialized technique' is independent because it contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought.
A colon can only be placed after a clause that is grammatically complete.
2
Analyze the clause following the punctuation mark.
The clause 'they kept the exhibition room at a constant humidity level and blocked all UV light' is also independent.
This helps determine if the relationship between the two clauses allows for a colon, semicolon, or coordinating conjunction.
3
Evaluate the relationship between the two independent clauses.
The second clause explains and defines the specific technique mentioned in the first clause.
A colon is appropriate when the second independent clause explains, illustrates, or amplifies the first.
4
Eliminate incorrect options based on punctuation rules.
The comma splice option, the option placing a colon after a preposition, and the option placing a comma before a restrictive clause are eliminated.
Only the colon option correctly connects the two independent clauses without grammatical error.

Key Concept

Colon punctuation rules and independent clauses
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Topics

Colons

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