Set 16: Boundaries
Explanation
PASSAGE
Sarah wanted to visit the exhibition _______ she didn't have enough time.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Detailed Answer Explanation
The correct answer is ', but' because of the rule: comma before coordinating conjunction joining independent clauses. When two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so—FANBOYS), a comma must precede the conjunction. This creates a compound sentence with proper punctuation.
Key Evidence:
• "Sarah wanted to visit the exhibition _______ she didn't have..."
Why others are wrong: A ('; but' incorrectly uses a semicolon, which should not precede a coordinating conjunction), B (': but' incorrectly uses a colon, which is not used before coordinating conjunctions), D ('but' lacks the required comma before the coordinating conjunction).