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Difficulty: Very hardSubordination and Coordination

In 1915, mathematician Emmy Noether formulated a theorem that would fundamentally link symmetry in physics with conservation laws. [1] Although her colleagues, David Hilbert and Felix Klein, recognized the immense value of her work, but they could not secure her a paid position at the University of Göttingen due to institutional prejudices against women.

Which of the following choices best replaces the underlined portion to ensure the sentence is grammatically correct and logically coherent?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. Although her colleagues, David Hilbert and Felix Klein, recognized the immense value of her work, they could notAnswer
  3. C
    Her colleagues, David Hilbert and Felix Klein, recognized the immense value of her work, they could not
  4. D
    Her colleagues, David Hilbert and Felix Klein, recognized the immense value of her work; although they could not

Answer

The choice that begins with the subordinating conjunction 'Although' and separates the dependent clause from the independent clause with a comma, without using a coordinating conjunction like 'but'.
The correct answer establishes a clear subordinate relationship by using the subordinating conjunction 'Although' at the beginning of the sentence and separating the dependent clause from the main independent clause with a comma, avoiding redundant coordinating conjunctions.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the relationship between the two clauses: 'her colleagues... recognized the immense value of her work' and 'they could not secure her a paid position'.
The relationship is contrastive, indicating that a subordinating conjunction ('Although') or coordinating conjunction ('but' / 'yet') should connect them, but not both.
Using both a subordinating conjunction and a coordinating conjunction to connect two clauses is grammatically redundant.
2
Analyze the structure of the choices to eliminate ungrammatical options.
The original text contains a double-conjunction error. The option without 'Although' and with a comma creates a comma splice. The option with a semicolon before 'although' creates a fragment.
Independent clauses cannot be joined by a comma alone, and a semicolon cannot separate an independent clause from a dependent clause.
3
Select the grammatically correct option that properly subordinates the first clause.
The correct option starts with 'Although' and uses a comma to connect the dependent clause to the independent clause.
This structure properly subordinates the first clause to the second, creating a coherent complex sentence.

Key Concept

Subordination and Coordination
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Subordination and Coordination

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