2

Set 11: Boundaries (Advanced)

Explanation

Answer: C

PASSAGE

She studied all _______ she still felt nervous about the exam.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

A. night; but
B. night but
C. night, but✓ Correct
D. night: but

Detailed Answer Explanation

This question tests your understanding of sentence boundaries and punctuation. Two independent clauses joined by 'but' require a comma before the conjunction. 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:

• "two independent clauses"

• "coordinating conjunction (but)"

Why others are wrong: A (Semicolon shouldn't precede a coordinating conjunction.), B (Missing comma before coordinating conjunction.), D (Colon is incorrect before coordinating conjunction.).

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