16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardColon introducing a list after a complete clause

Standard English Conventions practice question

The expedition carried only what could be pulled on a ____ tents, fuel, and two months of food.

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

  1. A. sledge:Correct
  2. B. sledge,
  3. C. sledge; namely
  4. D. sledge, which was

Answer: A. sledge:

The clause before the list is complete, so a colon introduces the list.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. sledge,
A comma leaves the list dangling from the sentence with no introduction.
C. sledge; namely
A semicolon needs an independent clause after it; 'namely tents…' is not one.
D. sledge, which was
'Which was tents, fuel, and…' makes the sledge equal to its cargo.

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