Set 15: Form, Structure & Sense (Advanced)
Explanation
PASSAGE
The uprising, which historians now believe to have been orchestrated by foreign _______ was initially attributed to domestic political factions.
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 relative clause 'which historians now believe to have been orchestrated by foreign powers' is nonessential. A comma closes this clause before the main verb 'was initially attributed.' 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:
• "The uprising, which historians now believe"
• "was initially attributed"
Why others are wrong: C (A semicolon is too strong for closing a relative clause.), A (Missing punctuation fails to close the nonessential relative clause.), B (A colon doesn't fit for closing a relative clause.).
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