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Question

Difficulty: EasyColons, Semicolons, and Dashes

Many species of bamboo grow at an astonishingly rapid rate_______ others take years to reach their full height.

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

  1. rate; othersAnswer
  2. B
    rate, others
  3. C
    rate: others
  4. D
    rate; although others

Answer

rate; others
The correct option uses a semicolon to join two independent clauses ('Many species of bamboo grow at an astonishingly rapid rate' and 'others take years to reach their full height') without a coordinating conjunction. This conforms to Standard English punctuation rules.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the clause boundaries around the blank.
The sentence contains two clauses: 'Many species of bamboo grow at an astonishingly rapid rate' and 'others take years to reach their full height.' Both are independent clauses because they can stand alone as complete sentences.
Determining the grammatical status of the clauses helps identify the correct punctuation rule.
2
Evaluate the punctuation options to connect these two independent clauses.
A semicolon is the correct punctuation to join two closely related independent clauses. A comma alone creates a comma splice, a colon is incorrect because the second clause does not explain or expand on the first, and a semicolon cannot be used if the second clause becomes dependent due to a subordinating conjunction.
Applying the rules of punctuation ensures the sentence conforms to Standard English conventions.

Key Concept

Using semicolons to connect independent clauses
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Colons, Semicolons, and Dashes

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