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Difficulty: MediumSubordination and Coordination

Mary Anning was a nineteenth-century British fossil collector whose discoveries changed the scientific understanding of prehistoric life. Although she lacked formal training in science, she possessed an uncanny ability to locate specimens in the unstable cliffs of Lyme Regis.

Anning discovered the first correctly identified ichthyosaur skeleton; but she was often excluded from the Geological Society of London due to her gender.

Which choice is the most effective and grammatically correct version of the underlined portion of the passage?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. Although Anning discovered the first correctly identified ichthyosaur skeleton, she was often excluded from the Geological Society of London due to her gender.Answer
  3. C
    Anning discovered the first correctly identified ichthyosaur skeleton, she was often excluded from the Geological Society of London due to her gender.
  4. D
    Although Anning discovered the first correctly identified ichthyosaur skeleton. She was often excluded from the Geological Society of London due to her gender.

Answer

Although Anning discovered the first correctly identified ichthyosaur skeleton, she was often excluded from the Geological Society of London due to her gender.
The correct choice uses the subordinating conjunction 'Although' to properly subordinate the first clause, creating a logical relationship of contrast with the independent clause that follows. A comma is correctly used to separate the introductory dependent clause from the main clause.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the relationship between the two clauses.
The clause about discovering the ichthyosaur skeleton represents an achievement, while the clause about exclusion from the society represents a setback. This shows a relationship of contrast.
Understanding the logical connection between the ideas helps determine whether to coordinate or subordinate.
2
Evaluate the grammatical structure of the original sentence.
The original sentence joins two independent clauses with a semicolon and the coordinating conjunction 'but', which is redundant and grammatically incorrect.
Identifying the error in the original phrasing helps narrow down the correct option.
3
Check the grammar and punctuation of each alternative choice.
Using the subordinating conjunction 'Although' at the beginning of the first clause makes it dependent, which is then correctly joined to the independent clause with a comma.
This establishes proper subordination and avoids run-ons, comma splices, or sentence fragments.

Key Concept

Subordination and Coordination
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Topics

Subordination and Coordination

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