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Difficulty: MediumClause Boundaries and Linking

Although obsidian is commonly associated with dark, glass-like formations, its color varies significantly depending on the chemical composition of the source lava. For instance, microscopic inclusions of iron oxide can impart a deep reddish-brown ______ clusters of microscopic gas bubbles trapped during the cooling process can produce a golden or iridescent sheen.

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

  1. A
    hue, meanwhile,
  2. hue; meanwhile,Answer
  3. C
    hue meanwhile
  4. D
    hue, because

Answer

The correct option is the one that uses a semicolon followed by the conjunctive adverb and a comma to link the two independent clauses.
The text presents two independent clauses: the first describes how iron oxide affects obsidian's color, and the second describes how gas bubbles do so. To connect these two independent clauses, standard punctuation must be used. Using a semicolon followed by a conjunctive adverb and a comma is a grammatically correct way to link independent clauses while showing a transition between them.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the clause boundaries in the second sentence.
The sentence contains two independent clauses: the first ends with the word describing the color ('hue'), and the second begins with the subject describing the gas bubbles ('clusters of microscopic gas bubbles...').
Locating where one complete thought ends and the next begins helps determine the required punctuation.
2
Evaluate the grammatical link needed between two independent clauses.
Two independent clauses must be joined by a period, a semicolon, or a coordinating conjunction with a comma. A conjunctive adverb like 'meanwhile' requires a semicolon before it when joining two clauses.
Joining two independent clauses with only a comma creates a comma splice, and joining them with no punctuation creates a run-on sentence.
3
Assess the logical connection between the clauses.
The clauses present two different, parallel examples of how inclusions affect obsidian's color. A transitional word like 'meanwhile' is logically appropriate to show this relationship, while a causal subordinator like 'because' is incorrect.
Ensuring the connector fits both grammatical rules and logical meaning determines the correct choice.

Key Concept

Clause Boundaries and Linking
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Topics

Clause Boundaries and Linking

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