Marie Curie _______ the first woman to win a Nobel Prize _______ made groundbreaking discoveries in radioactivity.

10
reading

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

A

the first woman to win a Nobel Prize

B

, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize,

C

—the first woman to win a Nobel Prize

D

, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize—

Correct Answer: B

Choice B is the best answer. This question tests comma usage with appositives.

  1. Context clues: "The first woman to win a Nobel Prize" renames/describes Marie Curie.
  2. Meaning: Appositives that provide nonessential information are set off by commas on both sides.
  3. Verify: "Marie Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, made groundbreaking discoveries" correctly brackets the appositive.

💡 Strategy: Set off nonessential appositives with commas on both sides.

Choice A is incorrect because it lacks both necessary commas. Choice C is incorrect because dashes must be used in pairs for mid-sentence interruptions. Choice D is incorrect because it mixes comma and dash punctuation inconsistently.

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Set 2: Boundaries 2