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Difficulty: MediumRun-on Sentences and Comma Splices

During the early twentieth century, pioneering marine biologist Rachel Carson studied the delicate ecosystems of the Atlantic coast. She spent summers conducting research at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, there she gathered meticulous data on marine life, she eventually published these findings in her acclaimed book *Under the Sea-Wind*. Her poetic writing style and scientific accuracy helped bridge the gap between the scientific community and the general public.

Which of the following versions of the underlined portion is grammatically correct?

  1. A
    Institution, there she gathered meticulous data on marine life, she eventually published
  2. B
    Institution. Where she gathered meticulous data on marine life and eventually published
  3. Institution; there, she gathered meticulous data on marine life, eventually publishingAnswer
  4. D
    Institution, where she gathered meticulous data on marine life; eventually publishing

Answer

Institution; there, she gathered meticulous data on marine life, eventually publishing
The correct option correctly uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses. The first independent clause ends with 'Institution,' and the second begins with the adverb 'there.' Furthermore, the second clause uses the participial phrase 'eventually publishing' to describe the subsequent action without introducing a new independent clause, thereby avoiding a comma splice.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the clause structure of the passage surrounding the underlined portion.
The portion contains two main ideas: Carson's research location ('Institution') and her actions ('she gathered data'). Joining these with a comma results in a comma splice.
Understanding clause boundaries helps identify the required grammatical connections.
2
Evaluate the choices to determine which option correctly links the clauses without introducing fragments or run-on errors.
Using a semicolon after 'Institution' properly separates the two independent clauses, and changing the final verb phrase to the participial modifier 'eventually publishing' avoids a second comma splice.
A semicolon is grammatically sufficient to connect independent clauses, and participial phrases can modify clauses without requiring coordinating conjunctions.

Key Concept

Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices
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Topics

Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices

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