16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardDash pair around an aside

Standard English Conventions practice question

The ____ a Roman coin, of all things—was lying in the potato patch.

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

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

Answer: A. find—

The aside closes with a dash, so it opens with one.

Why the other answers are wrong

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

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