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Difficulty: MediumClause Boundaries and Linking

Data collected by the Cassini spacecraft revealed that Enceladus, a moon of Saturn, harbors a subsurface liquid water ocean. Hydrothermal activity on the ocean floor spews silica nanoparticles and organic compounds into the ________ materials then erupt through cracks in the icy crust, forming a towering plume of vapor.

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

  1. A
    water, these
  2. B
    water these
  3. water; theseAnswer
  4. D
    water; since these

Answer

water; these
The sentence contains two independent clauses: the first ends with the word 'water,' and the second begins with the word 'these.' To join two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction (like 'and' or 'but'), a semicolon is required. The option 'water; these' correctly uses a semicolon to separate the two independent clauses.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the clause structure of the sentence containing the blank.
The sentence consists of two independent clauses: 'Hydrothermal activity on the ocean floor spews silica nanoparticles and organic compounds into the water' and 'these materials then erupt through cracks in the icy crust, forming a towering plume of vapor.'
Understanding the boundary between independent clauses is necessary to determine the correct punctuation and conjunctions needed to link them.
2
Evaluate the choices to find the correct method of linking two independent clauses.
Two independent clauses can be separated by a period, a semicolon, or a comma paired with a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS). The option 'water; these' correctly uses a semicolon.
A semicolon is a grammatically valid way to link two closely related independent clauses without any conjunctions.
3
Verify why the other options are grammatically incorrect.
The option 'water, these' is a comma splice. The option 'water these' is a run-on. The option 'water; since these' uses a semicolon followed by a subordinating conjunction, which incorrectly tries to link an independent clause to a dependent clause.
Eliminating grammatically incorrect choices confirms the correct option.

Key Concept

Clause Boundaries and Linking
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Clause Boundaries and Linking

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