Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumSentence Fragments

Archaeologists studying the ancient city of Caral in Peru have uncovered evidence of a highly developed civilization that thrived around 3000 BCE. Although the site lacks any trace of defensive walls or warfare-related weaponry. Instead, findings suggest a society built on trade, music, and agriculture, challenging the traditional view that early cities arose primarily out of a need for defense.

Which of the following choices is the best revision of the underlined portion?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. The site lacks any trace of defensive walls or warfare-related weaponry. Instead,Answer
  3. C
    The site lacking any trace of defensive walls or warfare-related weaponry; instead,
  4. D
    The site lacks any trace of defensive walls or warfare-related weaponry, instead,

Answer

The option that replaces the underlined text with a complete sentence followed by a period and a capitalized transition word is correct because it eliminates the fragment without creating punctuation errors.
The correct option resolves the sentence fragment by converting the dependent clause into a grammatically complete, independent sentence and separating it from the subsequent independent clause with a period.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the underlined portion and identify its grammatical role.
The clause 'Although the site lacks any trace of defensive walls or warfare-related weaponry' is a dependent clause due to the subordinating conjunction 'Although'. Leaving it punctuated as a complete sentence creates a sentence fragment.
Recognizing fragments is the first step to correcting them.
2
Evaluate the options to find a choice that provides a complete independent clause.
The option that removes the subordinating conjunction 'Although' and keeps the finite verb 'lacks' successfully forms an independent clause ('The site lacks...').
An independent clause must contain a subject and a finite verb and express a complete thought.
3
Verify punctuation to ensure no new errors are introduced.
Using a period to separate the two independent clauses avoids comma splices and semicolon errors.
Two independent clauses must be separated by appropriate punctuation, such as a period or a semicolon.

Key Concept

Sentence Fragments
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Rate this question

Topics

Sentence Fragments

More questions from this topic