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Difficulty: MediumColons, Semicolons, and Dashes

In the nineteenth century, agricultural chemist Justus von Liebig developed the "Law of the Minimum," which states that plant growth is controlled not by the total amount of resources available, but by the scarcest resource_______ a plant's development will be limited by whichever essential nutrient is in shortest supply.

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

  1. A
    resource, a
  2. B
    resource; although a
  3. resource: aAnswer
  4. D
    resource a

Answer

resource: a
The correct answer is the option that reads "resource: a". The text preceding the blank is an independent clause, and the text following the blank is also an independent clause that explains the concept in the first clause (specifically, how the Law of the Minimum works). A colon is standard and correct for joining two independent clauses when the second explains or illustrates the first.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the grammatical structure of the clauses before and after the blank.
The clause before the blank ("In the nineteenth century... scarcest resource") is independent, meaning it can stand alone as a complete sentence. The clause after the blank ("a plant's development... in shortest supply") is also an independent clause.
Identifying the clause boundaries and types is necessary to determine the correct punctuation.
2
Determine the relationship between the two independent clauses.
The second clause directly explains and clarifies the concept of the "Law of the Minimum" introduced in the first clause.
Understanding the semantic relationship helps select the appropriate punctuation mark, as colons can be used when the second clause explains or illustrates the first.
3
Evaluate the choices based on standard punctuation rules for independent clauses.
The option with a colon correctly joins the two independent clauses and signals that the second clause explains the first. The option with a comma creates a comma splice. The option with a semicolon followed by "although" is incorrect because "although" turns the second clause into a dependent clause. The option with no punctuation creates a run-on sentence.
Eliminating grammatically incorrect choices leaves the one correct option.

Key Concept

Using a colon to link two independent clauses when the second explains, illustrates, or expands upon the first.
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Topics

Colons, Semicolons, and Dashes

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