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

Question

In alpine meadows, pollinators are ____ the seeds of many wildflowers ripen only in the rare summers when bumblebee numbers surge.

Accepted Answer

A. scarce; therefore,. Two sentences joined by a conjunctive adverb take a semicolon before it and a comma after: 'scarce; therefore, the seeds…'

Answer

B. scarce, therefore, — A comma before 'therefore' splices the two sentences.

Answer

C. scarce therefore, — With no punctuation before 'therefore,' the sentences run together.

Answer

D. scarce; therefore — 'Therefore' at the head of the second clause is followed by a comma.

Standard English Conventions practice question