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Difficulty: MediumSubordination and Coordination

In the mid-twentieth century, mathematician Gladys West programmed early computers to analyze satellite measurements. She worked with extreme precision; because she aimed to calculate an accurate model of the Earth's shape, which later became the foundation for GPS technology.

Which of the following choices best replaces the underlined portion of the sentence?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. She worked with extreme precision because she aimed toAnswer
  3. C
    She worked with extreme precision, she aimed to
  4. D
    Because she worked with extreme precision and aiming to

Answer

She worked with extreme precision because she aimed to
The correct answer ('She worked with extreme precision because she aimed to') properly joins the independent clause with the dependent clause using the subordinating conjunction 'because' without any punctuation, avoiding fragments and comma splices.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the structure of the clauses in the original sentence.
The sentence contains two main ideas: 'She worked with extreme precision' (independent clause) and 'she aimed to calculate...' (dependent clause introducing a reason).
Understanding clause boundaries is essential for choosing the correct punctuation and conjunctions.
2
Evaluate the punctuation and conjunction linking these clauses.
The subordinating conjunction 'because' makes the second clause dependent. A semicolon cannot be used to separate an independent clause from a dependent clause, so the original construction is incorrect.
Semicolons can only connect two closely related independent clauses.
3
Select the choice that establishes the correct relationship between the clauses without punctuation errors.
The choice that removes the semicolon and joins the clauses directly with 'because' creates a grammatically correct complex sentence.
An independent clause followed by a dependent clause starting with 'because' does not require a comma or semicolon between them.

Key Concept

Subordination and Coordination
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Topics

Subordination and Coordination

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