Set 10: Boundaries (Advanced)
Explanation
PASSAGE
The novelist's exploration of trauma and resilience—themes _______ throughout her body of work—earned her critical acclaim.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Detailed Answer Explanation
This question tests your understanding of sentence boundaries and punctuation. Within the em-dash parenthetical, 'themes that recur' uses essential 'that' clause. No comma before 'that.' To determine the correct answer, examine where complete thoughts begin and end. Look for independent clauses that need proper separation. A period, semicolon, or appropriate conjunction can correctly join or separate these ideas. When analyzing sentence boundaries, pay attention to how ideas flow from one sentence to the next. Correct punctuation ensures clarity and prevents confusion for readers. Review the options carefully to identify which choice creates proper sentence structure.
Key Evidence:
• "essential clause within parenthetical"
• "that (no comma)"
Why others are wrong: A ('That' shouldn't be preceded by comma.), B (Comma before 'which' in this em-dash structure is awkward.), D ('Which' without comma is less clear than 'that' for essential clauses.).
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