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Difficulty: MediumClause Boundaries and Linking

The scaly-foot gastropod (*Chrysomallon squamiferum*) survives in the extreme environment of deep-sea hydrothermal vents, where toxic chemicals and high temperatures make life impossible for most organisms. The creature's shell is reinforced with iron sulfides _______ this unique metallic armor protects it from predators and the crushing pressure of the ocean floor.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A
    , this
  2. B
    this
  3. C
    although this
  4. ; thisAnswer

Answer

The correct answer is the option that uses a semicolon to separate the two independent clauses, starting the second clause with the pronoun 'this'.
The correct option is the one with the semicolon followed by 'this'. The text contains two complete, independent clauses: 'The creature's shell is reinforced with iron sulfides' and 'this unique metallic armor protects it...'. A semicolon is the grammatically correct way to join these two clauses without a coordinating conjunction.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the structure of the clauses surrounding the blank.
Identify that the clause before the blank ('The creature's shell is reinforced with iron sulfides') and the clause after the blank ('this unique metallic armor protects it...') are both independent clauses.
Determining clause types is necessary to identify standard grammatical boundary markers.
2
Evaluate the grammar rules for linking two independent clauses.
Two independent clauses must be separated by a period, a semicolon, a colon, a dash, or a comma paired with a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
This rules out options that introduce comma splices or run-on sentences.
3
Select the option that conforms to these rules.
The semicolon properly links the two independent clauses, keeping them grammatically correct and logically connected.
A semicolon is a valid punctuation mark for separating independent clauses without coordinating conjunctions.

Key Concept

Two independent clauses must be joined by a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction.
Estimated Time:50s
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Topics

Clause Boundaries and Linking

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