Set 9: Boundaries (Intermediate)
Explanation
PASSAGE
The study's _______ have been questioned by researchers who found methodological flaws in the experimental design.
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. 'Which challenged prevailing theories' is a nonessential clause (adds extra info). Nonessential clauses require commas on BOTH sides. 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:
• "which (nonessential)"
• "commas on both sides"
Why others are wrong: A (Missing closing comma after 'theories.'), B (Missing both commas around nonessential clause.), D (Semicolon before 'which' is incorrect.).
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