Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumClause Boundaries and Linking

By analyzing the annual growth rings of ancient conifers, dendrochronologists can reconstruct historical climate patterns with remarkable accuracy. Wide rings indicate periods of abundant rainfall and optimal growth _______ narrow rings reveal times of severe drought and environmental stress. This high-resolution ecological data helps researchers understand how ecosystems historically responded to rapid temperature shifts.

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

  1. , butAnswer
  2. B
    ,
  3. C
    but
  4. D
    , so

Answer

The option containing ', but' is the correct answer because it properly uses a comma and the coordinating conjunction 'but' to connect the two independent clauses in a contrasting relationship.
The correct option successfully links the two independent clauses with a comma followed by the coordinating conjunction 'but', which is grammatically correct and logically conveys the contrast between wide and narrow conifer growth rings.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the clause structure around the blank.
The text before the blank ('Wide rings indicate periods of abundant rainfall and optimal growth') and the text after the blank ('narrow rings reveal times of severe drought and environmental stress') are both independent clauses.
Determining if the clauses are independent or dependent dictates the punctuation and conjunctions needed to link them.
2
Determine the logical relationship between the two independent clauses.
The relationship is contrast: 'wide rings' and 'optimal growth' are compared to 'narrow rings' and 'severe drought'.
This helps select the appropriate coordinating conjunction or transition word.
3
Evaluate the choices based on grammatical correctness and logical meaning.
Using a comma and the contrast coordinator 'but' satisfies both grammatical rules for joining independent clauses and the logical need for a contrast transition.
Other choices either create grammatical errors (like a comma splice or run-on) or use a coordinator that fails to convey the correct logical relationship.

Key Concept

Clause Boundaries and Linking
Rate this question

Topics

Clause Boundaries and Linking

More questions from this topic