16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardSemicolon inside a quoted explanation

Standard English Conventions practice question

"The trail," the ranger said, "is closed above the ____ the snow is too deep."

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

  1. A. lake;Correct
  2. B. lake,
  3. C. lake
  4. D. lake and,

Answer: A. lake;

Inside the quotation, two complete sentences are joined by a semicolon.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. lake,
A comma splice.
C. lake
A run-on.
D. lake and,
The comma after and is misplaced.

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