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Question

Difficulty: MediumColons

To preserve delicate medieval manuscripts, archivist-conservationists rely on three primary environmental controls, they require low ambient light, strict humidity regulation, and constant temperature monitoring.

Which option is the most grammatically correct replacement for the underlined portion?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. controls: lowAnswer
  3. C
    controls such as: low
  4. D
    controls, that include low

Answer

controls: low
The correct answer is the option containing the colon because the clause preceding the colon is independent and can stand alone as a sentence, and it is properly followed by a list of examples clarifying the three environmental controls.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the clause preceding the underlined portion to determine if it is an independent clause.
The clause 'To preserve delicate medieval manuscripts, archivist-conservationists rely on three primary environmental controls' has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought, meaning it is an independent clause.
A colon must always be preceded by a complete independent clause.
2
Check the grammatical function of the text following the punctuation mark.
The text lists three items: 'low ambient light, strict humidity regulation, and constant temperature monitoring'. This is a list clarifying the 'three primary environmental controls'.
An independent clause can be followed by a colon to introduce a list, explanation, or amplification.
3
Evaluate the other options for grammatical correctness.
The original text contains a comma splice. The option with 'such as:' contains an incomplete clause before the colon. The option with 'controls, that' incorrectly places a comma before a restrictive relative clause.
Eliminating grammatically incorrect options leaves the choice containing the colon as the only correct option.

Key Concept

A colon is used to introduce a list, explanation, or quote, and it must be preceded by a complete independent clause.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Colons

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