Set 15: Form, Structure & Sense (Advanced)
Explanation
PASSAGE
The emperor consolidated power not through military conquest, as his predecessors _______ but through a sophisticated network of political alliances and economic incentives.
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 function and text organization. The comparison 'as his predecessors had' is parenthetical within the 'not...but' construction. A comma closes this phrase before 'but.' Each sentence in a well-constructed text serves a specific purpose. Consider what role this sentence plays in the argument: does it introduce, support, contrast, or conclude an idea? Understanding why an author includes specific sentences helps you grasp the overall argument. Each sentence should serve a clear purpose: introducing ideas, providing evidence, acknowledging counterarguments, or drawing conclusions. Identify the role to understand the structure.
Key Evidence:
• "not through military conquest, as his predecessors"
• "but through a sophisticated network"
Why others are wrong: B (A semicolon is too strong before 'but' in this construction.), A (A colon doesn't fit before 'but' in this construction.), D (Missing punctuation fails to properly set up the 'but' contrast.).
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