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Difficulty: Very hardSentence Fragments

Peat bogs contain unique chemical properties, most notably a highly acidic compound called sphagnan. Because this substance binds with calcium, a mineral essential for microbial growth, and deprives bacteria of the nutrients they need to survive. Consequently, organic matter deposited in these wetlands can remain pristine for thousands of years.

Which of the following choices best replaces the underlined portion to ensure the sentence is grammatically complete?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. This substance binds with calcium, a mineral essential for microbial growth, and deprives bacteria of the nutrients they need to survive.Answer
  3. C
    This substance binds with calcium, which is a mineral essential for microbial growth; depriving bacteria of the nutrients they need to survive.
  4. D
    This substance binds with calcium, a mineral essential for microbial growth, it deprives bacteria of the nutrients they need to survive.

Answer

The option that removes the subordinating conjunction 'Because' and converts the clause into an independent sentence is correct. It creates a complete sentence with a subject ('This substance') and two verbs ('binds' and 'deprives') joined by a coordinating conjunction, with the appositive phrase set off by commas.
The option that removes the subordinating conjunction 'Because' and converts the clause into an independent sentence is correct. It creates a complete sentence with a subject ('This substance') and two verbs ('binds' and 'deprives') joined by a coordinating conjunction, with the appositive phrase set off by commas.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the underlined portion to identify if it is a complete sentence or a fragment.
The original passage contains a period before 'Because' and a period after 'survive.' Because the underlined portion starts with the subordinating conjunction 'Because' and does not connect to an independent clause, it is a dependent clause fragment.
Identifying the grammatical status of the original sentence helps determine what correction is required.
2
Evaluate the option that removes the subordinating conjunction to form an independent clause.
The option starting with 'This substance binds...' removes 'Because,' creating an independent clause with the subject 'This substance' and the compound verbs 'binds' and 'deprives.' This resolves the fragment.
Removing the subordinator creates a complete, grammatically sound sentence.
3
Examine the remaining options to ensure they do not introduce new grammatical errors.
The option with the semicolon introduces a fragment after the punctuation mark, and the option with 'it deprives' creates a comma splice.
Verifying the distractors ensures that the selected option is the only grammatically correct choice.

Key Concept

Sentence Fragments
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Sentence Fragments

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