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Difficulty: MediumClause Boundaries and Linking

In cognitive psychology, the peak-end rule describes a heuristic in which individuals evaluate their past experiences. When reflecting, people do not average the utility of every single moment of an event _______ they judge the entire experience based primarily on its most intense point and its conclusion. Consequently, a brief but intense spike of discomfort can disproportionately skew a person's memory of an otherwise pleasant activity.

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

  1. A
    instead they
  2. B
    , instead, they
  3. ; instead, theyAnswer
  4. D
    although they

Answer

The choice containing a semicolon, the conjunctive adverb 'instead', and a comma ('; instead, they') correctly links the clauses.
The semicolon is used to separate two independent clauses ('When reflecting, people do not average...' and 'they judge the entire experience...'). The conjunctive adverb 'instead' followed by a comma is appropriate to establish the contrast between these two clauses.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the clauses surrounding the blank.
The clause before the blank ('When reflecting, people do not average the utility of every single moment of an event') and the clause after the blank ('they judge the entire experience based primarily on its most intense point and its conclusion') are both independent clauses.
This determines what type of punctuation or conjunction is needed to link them.
2
Evaluate the choices based on standard punctuation rules for joining independent clauses.
Two independent clauses must be joined by a period, a semicolon, a colon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS).
Using a comma alone results in a comma splice, and using no punctuation results in a run-on.
3
Select the choice that correctly links the clauses while maintaining logical flow.
The choice containing a semicolon, the conjunctive adverb 'instead', and a comma ('; instead, they') correctly links the clauses.
It separates the two independent clauses grammatically and logically.

Key Concept

Clause Boundaries and Linking
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Topics

Clause Boundaries and Linking

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