Glaciologists studying subglacial Lake Mercer in Antarctica deployed a customized hot-water drill to penetrate over one thousand meters of ice. They successfully recovered sediment cores containing ancient microbial forms, however, maintaining sterile conditions throughout the drilling process presented unprecedented technological challenges. Subsequent analysis revealed viable bacteria that had survived in extreme isolation for thousands of years.
Which choice produces a grammatically correct sentence that properly joins the two independent clauses?
- ANO CHANGE
- forms; however, maintainingAnswer
- Cforms; because maintaining
- Dforms, maintaining
Answer
The option containing 'forms; however, maintaining' is correct because a semicolon is required to separate two independent clauses when joined by a conjunctive adverb like 'however'.
The correct choice places a semicolon after the first independent clause ('forms') and follows the conjunctive adverb ('however') with a comma. This correctly resolves the comma splice while preserving the logical relationship between the two complete sentences.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Joining Independent Clauses with Conjunctive Adverbs
Estimated Time:1m 0s