Set 15: Boundaries (Advanced)
Explanation
PASSAGE
The professor's lecture on postmodern literature—a topic _______ previously been inaccessible to many students—drew an unexpectedly large audience.
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, 'a topic that has previously been inaccessible' is an appositive. 'That' is correct for the essential relative clause. 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: D (Comma before 'which' in this construction is awkward.), C ('Which' without comma before it is less clear than 'that.'), B (Comma before 'that' is incorrect.).
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