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Difficulty: MediumSubordination and Coordination

In the late nineteenth century, inventor Jan Ernst Matzeliger revolutionized the footwear industry by designing the lasting machine. Hand-lasters could produce only about fifty pairs of shoes a day, however, the lasting machine could yield up to seven hundred. This dramatic increase in production efficiency significantly lowered the cost of footwear for consumers.

Which of the following options, if any, is the most effective replacement for the underlined portion?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. day; however, the lasting machineAnswer
  3. C
    day; because the lasting machine
  4. D
    day. Although the lasting machine

Answer

The choice that uses a semicolon followed by 'however' and a comma to properly separate the two independent clauses.
The correct choice properly joins two independent clauses using a semicolon, followed by the conjunctive adverb 'however' and a comma to establish the contrasting relationship between the manual and automated production rates.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the structure of the two clauses surrounding the underlined portion.
The first clause ('Hand-lasters could produce only about fifty pairs of shoes a day') and the second clause ('the lasting machine could yield up to seven hundred') are both independent clauses capable of standing alone as complete sentences.
Determining the clause type helps in selecting the appropriate punctuation and conjunction.
2
Evaluate the punctuation and transitional words needed to connect these independent clauses.
Since they are two independent clauses presenting contrasting information, they can be joined by a semicolon and the conjunctive adverb 'however' followed by a comma.
This establishes a grammatically correct connection and maintains the logical contrast between the two statements.

Key Concept

Subordination and Coordination
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Topics

Subordination and Coordination

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