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Question

Difficulty: EasySentence Fragments

Read the following passage about ancient architecture:

Stepwells, unique subterranean water temples constructed across western India, served as vital water reservoirs. Because these structures descended deep into the earth. They also provided relief from the intense summer heat.

Which of the following options is the most grammatically correct revision of the underlined portion?

  1. A
    Because these structures descended deep into the earth. They
  2. B
    These structures descended deep into the earth, they
  3. C
    Because these structures descended deep into the earth; they
  4. Because these structures descended deep into the earth, theyAnswer

Answer

The option that connects the dependent clause to the main clause using a comma: 'Because these structures descended deep into the earth, they'
The correct option properly connects the introductory dependent clause (which starts with the subordinating conjunction 'Because') to the main independent clause using a comma. This creates a unified and grammatically complete sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the grammatical structure of the underlined portion and the clause that follows it.
The clause 'Because these structures descended deep into the earth' begins with the subordinating conjunction 'Because,' making it a dependent clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
Identifying the clause type is necessary to determine if the punctuation creates a sentence fragment.
2
Determine the correct punctuation to link an introductory dependent clause to an independent clause.
An introductory dependent clause must be followed by a comma when it is joined to a subsequent main independent clause.
Using a period or a semicolon after a dependent clause leaves it disconnected, resulting in a grammatical fragment.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the option that correctly uses a comma to join the clauses without creating a comma splice.
The option containing 'Because these structures descended deep into the earth, they' correctly resolves the fragment by joining the dependent clause to the main clause with a comma.
This establishes a complete, grammatically sound sentence.

Key Concept

Resolving sentence fragments by properly joining an introductory dependent clause to an independent clause with a comma.
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Topics

Sentence Fragments

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