_______ listened silently as the orchestra performed the final movement of the symphony.
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writingWhich choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A
Stunned the audience,
B
Stunned; the audience listened
C
Stunned the audience listened,
D
Stunned, the audience
Correct Answer: D
Choice D is the best answer. "Stunned" is an introductory adjective (or elliptical participial phrase) modifying "the audience." It requires a comma to separate it from the subject.
Choice A is incorrect because it lacks the comma. Choice B is incorrect because a semicolon separates two independent clauses. Choice C is incorrect because the comma is placed after "listened" instead of "Stunned," disrupting the verb phrase.