Set 12: Boundaries (Intermediate)
Explanation
PASSAGE
The researcher _______ the long hours difficult, continued with the study because of her dedication to the cause.
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. 'Who found the long hours difficult' is a nonessential clause (extra info about the researcher). Use comma before 'who.' 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:
• "nonessential clause"
• "comma + who"
Why others are wrong: D ('That' refers to things, not people, AND missing comma.), A (Missing comma to set off nonessential clause.), C (Semicolon would create a fragment.).
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