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Question

Difficulty: MediumColons

During their study of the nocturnal hunting habits of barn owls, researchers identified the birds' primary anatomical advantage; their asymmetric ear placement.

Which of the following is the best replacement for the underlined portion of the sentence?

  1. A
    advantage; their
  2. advantage: theirAnswer
  3. C
    advantage, which is: their
  4. D
    advantage, their

Answer

The option that replaces the semicolon with a colon ('advantage: their')
The correct option correctly uses a colon because the clause preceding it is independent and can stand alone as a complete sentence, while the noun phrase following it directly clarifies the 'advantage' mentioned.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the clause preceding the punctuation mark to determine if it is independent.
The clause 'During their study of the nocturnal hunting habits of barn owls, researchers identified the birds' primary anatomical advantage' contains a subject ('researchers') and a verb ('identified') and functions as a complete sentence.
Both colons and semicolons require an independent clause before them.
2
Analyze the phrase following the punctuation mark to determine if it is independent.
The phrase 'their asymmetric ear placement' is a noun phrase without a verb and cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
Since the second part is not an independent clause, a semicolon cannot be used.
3
Select the correct punctuation mark that links an independent clause to an explanatory noun phrase.
A colon is the appropriate mark because it is preceded by a complete sentence and followed by a phrase that explains the 'advantage'. Ensure the colon does not follow a verb directly.
This confirms that the choice placing a colon directly after the noun 'advantage' is grammatically correct.

Key Concept

A colon must be preceded by an independent clause and can be used to introduce an explanation, list, or clarifying noun phrase.
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Colons

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