16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsMediumSemicolon between related independent clauses

Standard English Conventions practice question

The results were surprising ____ contradicted two earlier studies of the same species.

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

  1. A. ; theyCorrect
  2. B. , they
  3. C. they
  4. D. , and they contradicted, and

Answer: A. ; they

'The results were surprising' and 'they contradicted two earlier studies' are both complete sentences. A semicolon can join two closely related ones.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. , they
A comma alone between two complete sentences is a comma splice.
C. they
With no punctuation, the two sentences run together.
D. , and they contradicted, and
This repeats 'contradicted' and 'and', producing an ungrammatical sentence.

More Standard English Conventions questions

Not affiliated with the College Board. SAT is a trademark of the College Board.