16Hit 1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardSemicolon versus colon in balanced sentences

Standard English Conventions practice question

The first ascent took a month of fixed ropes, camps, and bottled ____ took eighteen hours and a thermos of tea.

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

  1. A. attempt; the secondCorrect
  2. B. attempt, the second
  3. C. attempt the second
  4. D. attempt: the second,

Answer: A. attempt; the second

Two parallel complete sentences are joined with a semicolon: 'The first ascent took a month of fixed ropes and oxygen; the second took eighteen hours and a thermos.'

Why the other answers are wrong

B. attempt, the second
A comma splices the two balanced sentences.
C. attempt the second
With nothing between them, the sentences run on.
D. attempt: the second,
A colon could introduce the contrast, but the stray comma after 'second' severs the subject from its verb.

More Standard English Conventions questions

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