The agreement _______ which took months to negotiate _______ was finally signed by all parties involved.
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readingWhich choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A
which took months to negotiate
B
, which took months to negotiate,
C
—which took months to negotiate,
D
—which took months to negotiate—
Correct Answer: D
Choice D is the best answer. This question tests dash usage for parenthetical interruptions.
- Context clues: A nonessential clause interrupts the main sentence.
- Meaning: Dashes must be used in pairs when setting off an interrupter.
- Verify: "The agreement—which took months to negotiate—was finally signed" correctly brackets the interruption.
💡 Strategy: Use matching dashes to emphasize a parenthetical interruption.
Choice A is incorrect because some punctuation is needed. Choice B is incorrect because while commas work, the question tests dash usage. Choice C is incorrect because it mixes a dash with a comma asymmetrically.