Set 6: Boundaries (Intermediate)
Explanation
PASSAGE
The dog that lives next _______ loves to chase squirrels in the park.
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. 'That lives next door' is an essential clause identifying which dog. Essential clauses are NOT set off by commas. 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:
• "that (essential clause marker)"
• "no punctuation needed"
Why others are wrong: A (Comma incorrectly separates essential clause from rest of sentence.), C (Semicolon creates fragment; is grammatically incorrect here.), B (Colon is grammatically incorrect here.).
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