Set 12: Form, Structure & Sense (Intermediate)
Explanation
PASSAGE
Shakespeare wrote more than 150 _______ expressing themes of love, beauty, and mortality that continue to resonate today.
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. A comma is needed before the participial phrase 'expressing themes.' This phrase modifies 'sonnets' and should be set off by a comma. 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:
• "more than 150 _______"
• "expressing themes of love"
Why others are wrong: A (A semicolon separates independent clauses; 'expressing themes...' is a phrase.), B (Without a comma, the sentence runs together awkwardly.), D (A colon introduces lists or explanations, not participial phrases.).
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