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Question

Difficulty: HardColons

In his landmark studies of memory, psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus identified a critical phenomenon: the forgetting curve demonstrates that information is lost rapidly after learning unless it is actively reviewed.

Which of the following is the most appropriate edit to the underlined portion?

  1. NO CHANGEAnswer
  2. B
    phenomenon, which is: the forgetting
  3. C
    phenomenon, defined by: the forgetting
  4. D
    phenomenon because: the forgetting

Answer

The correct option is the one that leaves the sentence unchanged, using a colon after 'phenomenon' and before 'the forgetting'.
The original punctuation is correct. The colon is preceded by a complete, independent clause ('In his landmark studies of memory, psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus identified a critical phenomenon') and is followed by an independent clause that explains the phenomenon. This aligns with ACT standards for colon usage.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the clause preceding the punctuation mark.
The clause 'In his landmark studies of memory, psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus identified a critical phenomenon' is an independent clause because it contains a subject and a verb and can stand alone as a complete sentence.
According to grammar rules, a colon must always be preceded by an independent clause.
2
Analyze the clause or phrase following the punctuation mark.
The clause 'the forgetting curve demonstrates that information is lost rapidly after learning unless it is actively reviewed' is also an independent clause that directly explains and amplifies the 'phenomenon' mentioned in the first clause.
A colon is appropriate for joining two independent clauses when the second clause explains or illustrates the first.
3
Evaluate the incorrect options to identify errors.
The options using 'which is:', 'defined by:', and 'because:' all place the colon immediately after a verb, a preposition, or a subordinating conjunction, which violates the rule that the colon must follow a complete, independent clause.
Placing a colon after a verb, preposition, or subordinating conjunction results in an incomplete sentence preceding the colon.

Key Concept

Colons must be preceded by an independent clause and should not be placed directly after verbs, prepositions, or subordinating conjunctions.
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Colons

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