Although caffeine is often criticized for disrupting sleep patterns, in a recent _________ suggest that moderate consumption may boost long-term memory.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
study. The data
study; the data
study, the data
study: the data
Correct Answer: C
Choice C is the best answer. The comma correctly separates the introductory dependent clause "Although... patterns" and the prepositional phrase "in a recent study" from the main clause "the data suggest..."
Choice A is incorrect because it creates a fragment. Choice B is incorrect because a semicolon cannot separate a dependent clause from a main clause. Choice D is incorrect because a colon is not used to separate an introductory clause from the main subject.