Set 14: Form, Structure & Sense
Explanation
PASSAGE
The discovery challenged the prevailing paradigm; _______ it took years before the scientific community fully accepted its implications.
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. 'However' indicates contrast between challenging the paradigm and slow acceptance. The semicolon before and comma after 'however' are correctly placed for a conjunctive adverb. 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:
• "challenged the prevailing paradigm"
• "it took years before...fully accepted"
Why others are wrong: C ('Therefore' implies cause-effect; the relationship is contrast.), B ('Consequently' implies result; slow acceptance isn't a consequence of challenging paradigm.), A ('Moreover' adds information; the relationship is contrast.).
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