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Standard English ConventionsMediumQuestion mark for a direct question in a sentence

Standard English Conventions practice question

After the tour, one visitor ____ 'Why was the tower never finished?'

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

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

Answer: A. asked,

A speech verb introduces a quoted question with a comma; the question mark belongs inside the quotation.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. asked;
A semicolon can't introduce a quotation.
C. asked.
A period would end the sentence before the quotation.
D. asked
A comma is conventional between a speech verb and a quoted sentence.

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