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Difficulty: HardRun-on Sentences and Comma Splices

By drilling deep into polar ice sheets, glaciologists can extract ice cores that preserve atmospheric samples from hundreds of thousands of years ago. These cylindrical samples contain tiny bubbles of ancient air, they act as prehistoric time capsules that reveal past greenhouse gas levels. Consequently, analyzing these core samples provides critical context for understanding modern climate trends.

Which of the following choices best corrects the underlined portion?

  1. A
    air, they act
  2. B
    air; acting
  3. air; they actAnswer
  4. D
    air. Because they act

Answer

The choice that correctly uses a semicolon to separate the two independent clauses: 'air; they act'.
The correct choice uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses: the clause before the semicolon and the clause after it. Both clauses express complete thoughts with their own subjects and verbs, making the semicolon the proper punctuation choice to connect them.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the structure of the clauses surrounding the underlined portion.
The text contains two independent clauses: 'These cylindrical samples contain tiny bubbles of ancient air' and 'they act as prehistoric time capsules...'.
Identifying the independent nature of both clauses helps determine the correct punctuation needed to connect them.
2
Identify the grammatical error in the original sentence.
The original sentence joins the two independent clauses with only a comma, which is a comma splice error.
Two independent clauses cannot be joined by a comma alone; they require a coordinating conjunction or appropriate punctuation like a semicolon or period.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the one that resolves the comma splice without creating new errors.
Using a semicolon to separate the clauses is grammatically correct and preserves the relationship between the ideas.
A semicolon is standard punctuation for separating two independent clauses when no coordinating conjunction is present.

Key Concept

Correcting comma splices by separating independent clauses with a semicolon.
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Topics

Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices

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