16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardOpening a dash pair before a list

Standard English Conventions practice question

Three of the ____ Ana, Bilal, and Chen—had never sailed before.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. crew—Correct
  2. B. crew,
  3. C. crew:
  4. D. crew;

Answer: A. crew—

The interruption closes with a dash, so it must open with one.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. crew,
A comma does not match the closing dash.
C. crew:
A colon does not pair with a dash.
D. crew;
A semicolon splits the subject.

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