Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumSentence Fragments

For decades, deep-sea exploration was limited by the immense pressure of the ocean floor, which crushed standard submersibles. Although modern titanium-alloy hulls have enabled researchers to reach the Mariana Trench. This boundary-pushing technology has opened up new fields of marine biology.

Which choice best corrects the underlined portion of the passage?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. B
    Modern titanium-alloy hulls have enabled researchers to reach the Mariana Trench, this
  3. C
    Although modern titanium-alloy hulls have enabled researchers to reach the Mariana Trench; this
  4. Although modern titanium-alloy hulls have enabled researchers to reach the Mariana Trench, thisAnswer

Answer

The option that retains the subordinating conjunction and connects the introductory dependent clause to the main clause with a comma is correct.
The correct option resolves the sentence fragment by using a comma to connect the introductory dependent clause, which begins with the subordinating conjunction 'Although', to the main independent clause. This creates a single, grammatically complete complex sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the grammatical structure of the underlined portion and the surrounding context.
The underlined text starts with the subordinating conjunction 'Although', making 'Although modern titanium-alloy hulls have enabled researchers to reach the Mariana Trench' a dependent clause. It is punctuated as a full sentence, which makes it a sentence fragment.
Identifying subordinating conjunctions helps recognize dependent clauses that cannot stand alone as sentences.
2
Evaluate the relationship between the dependent clause and the following clause.
The following clause ('boundary-pushing technology has opened up new fields of marine biology') is an independent clause. The dependent clause should be connected to this independent clause to form a complete complex sentence.
Determining clause relationship indicates the correct method of linking them to resolve fragments.
3
Select the correct punctuation to join the dependent clause and the independent clause.
An introductory dependent clause must be joined to an independent clause using a comma. The correct choice preserves 'Although' and uses a comma after 'Trench' to link to the main clause.
Connecting an introductory dependent clause to an independent clause requires a comma, not a period or a semicolon.

Key Concept

Sentence Fragments
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Rate this question

Topics

Sentence Fragments

More questions from this topic