Set 7: Form, Structure & Sense
Explanation
PASSAGE
The playwright's dialogue, naturalistic in its vocabulary yet highly stylized in its _______ creates a distinctive tension between realism and artifice.
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 phrase 'naturalistic in its vocabulary yet highly stylized in its rhythms' is parenthetical, modifying 'dialogue.' A comma closes this phrase before 'creates.' 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 playwright's dialogue, naturalistic in its vocabulary yet"
• "creates a distinctive tension"
Why others are wrong: A (Missing punctuation fails to close the parenthetical phrase.), B (A semicolon is too strong for closing a parenthetical phrase.), D (A colon doesn't fit for closing a parenthetical phrase.).
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