The curator proudly displayed the museum's rarest _________ a gem-encrusted crown from the 16th century.
1
writingWhich choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A
artifact,
B
artifact-
C
artifact:
D
artifact
Correct Answer: C
Choice C is the best answer. A colon is used to introduce the appositive ("a gem-encrusted crown") that identifies the "rarest artifact."
Choice A is incorrect because a comma is less emphatic and clearly defining than the colon in this context. Choice B is incorrect because while a dash is acceptable, the colon is the standard choice for introducing an explanation/definition at the end of a clause. Choice D is incorrect because punctuation is needed to separate the noun from the appositive.