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Difficulty: HardRun-on Sentences and Comma Splices

In search of food, the single-celled slime mold *Physarum polycephalum* grows outward in a network of branching tendrils. If the organism encounters a maze containing food at two separate exits, it will find the shortest path between them. It accomplishes this feat without a brain, instead, the organism relies on a decentralized memory system encoded within its pulsating, tube-like structures.

Which choice best punctuates the underlined portion of the sentence?

  1. A
    brain, instead, the organism relies
  2. B
    brain. Although the organism relies
  3. brain; instead, the organism reliesAnswer
  4. D
    brain; which relies

Answer

The choice that reads 'brain; instead, the organism relies' is correct because a semicolon is used to separate two complete independent clauses, followed by a comma after the transition word.
The correct answer correctly identifies that a semicolon is required to separate the two independent clauses. Semicolons are grammatically equivalent to periods when linking two complete thoughts, and the conjunctive adverb 'instead' is correctly followed by a comma to transition into the second clause.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the grammatical nature of the clauses surrounding the underline.
The clause before 'brain' ('It accomplishes this feat without a brain') is independent, and the clause after 'brain' ('instead, the organism relies...') is also independent.
To choose the correct punctuation, we must determine if we are joining two independent clauses or if one is dependent.
2
Evaluate the punctuation needed to join these two independent clauses.
Joining them with a comma and 'instead' creates a comma splice. A semicolon or a period is required.
Two independent clauses cannot be joined by a comma alone, even when a conjunctive adverb like 'instead' is present.
3
Verify that the chosen option does not introduce a fragment.
The option using a semicolon and 'instead' preserves the second clause as independent, whereas the other options create dependent fragments starting with 'Although' or 'which'.
Any option that turns one of the independent clauses into a dependent fragment is grammatically incorrect.

Key Concept

Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices

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