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Difficulty: MediumClause Boundaries and Linking

In the field of paleontology, the preservation of soft-bodied organisms is exceedingly rare because organic decay typically destroys tissues before fossilization can occur. Recently, a team of researchers discovered exceptionally preserved soft-tissue fossils in the Burgess Shale ______ these specimens provide rare insights into the internal anatomy of early Cambrian organisms that lacked hard shells. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. Shale;Answer
  2. B
    Shale,
  3. C
    Shale
  4. D
    Shale, despite

Answer

The correct answer is the option containing the semicolon, which properly separates the two independent clauses.
The correct answer is the option ending with a semicolon. A semicolon is a grammatically valid way to connect two independent clauses without any coordinating conjunctions.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the structure of the clauses flanking the blank.
The clause before the blank ('Recently, a team of researchers discovered exceptionally preserved soft-tissue fossils in the Burgess Shale') and the clause after the blank ('these specimens provide rare insights into the internal anatomy of early Cambrian organisms that lacked hard shells') are both independent clauses.
To determine how they must be grammatically linked.
2
Determine the punctuation rules for joining independent clauses.
Independent clauses must be joined by a period, a semicolon, a colon, or a comma with a coordinating conjunction.
To avoid run-on sentences and comma splices.
3
Evaluate the choices against these rules.
Only the semicolon option correctly connects the two independent clauses without introducing a grammatical error.
To identify the correct answer choice.

Key Concept

Connecting independent clauses using semicolons to avoid run-on sentences and comma splices.
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Topics

Clause Boundaries and Linking

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