Set 14: Boundaries
Explanation
PASSAGE
The store sells clothing, electronics, _______ household items at discounted prices.
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. This is a simple list. The Oxford/serial comma before 'and' is optional, and both 'and' and ', and' would be acceptable. Since only choice A follows correct conventions, it's correct. 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:
• "list of items"
• "conjunction before final item"
Why others are wrong: B (Also acceptable with Oxford comma, but A is the cleaner choice given the pattern.), C (Comma after 'and' is incorrect.), D (Semicolon is incorrect within a simple list.).
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