16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardDash pair versus comma inside an interruption

Standard English Conventions practice question

The three ingredients the baker refuses to use — margarine, artificial ____ and pre-mixed flour — are listed on a card by the door.

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

  1. A. vanilla,Correct
  2. B. vanilla —
  3. C. vanilla;
  4. D. vanilla

Answer: A. vanilla,

The interruption is already enclosed by dashes; within it, the list items are separated by commas.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. vanilla —
A third dash would close the interruption early, leaving 'and pre-mixed flour —' stranded.
C. vanilla;
Semicolons are for list items that contain commas.
D. vanilla
No comma runs two list items together.

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