Standard English ConventionsHardClosing dash for a supplement that contains commas
Standard English Conventions practice question
The trail — steep, rocky and poorly signed ____ took us nearly five hours.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
- A. —Correct
- B. ,
- C. ;
- D. :
Answer: A. —
The supplement began with a dash, so it must end with a dash. Dashes are also the right choice because the supplement contains commas of its own.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. ,
- A comma doesn't match the opening dash, and it would get lost among the commas inside the supplement.
- C. ;
- A semicolon needs a complete clause on each side; 'The trail — steep, rocky and poorly signed' isn't one.
- D. :
- A colon doesn't close a supplement.
More Standard English Conventions questions
- Hard
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? ____, the ancient… - Hard
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? By the time the t… - Hard
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The bridge was cl… - Hard
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The grant will fu… - Hard
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Students ____ com… - Hard
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Having studied th…
Not affiliated with the College Board. SAT is a trademark of the College Board.