According to recent health studies _______ is beneficial for reducing stress.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
meditation practicing ten minutes a day
meditation, practicing ten minutes a day
meditation, practicing ten minutes a day,
meditation practicing ten minutes a day,
Correct Answer: C
Choice C is the best answer. The phrase "practicing ten minutes a day" is a nonrestrictive appositive or participial phrase describing "meditation." It needs commas on both sides to separate it from the main sentence "meditation... is beneficial."
Choice A is incorrect because it lacks punctuation. Choice B is incorrect because it is missing the closing comma. Choice D is incorrect because it is missing the opening comma.