16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardCommas inside a dash-enclosed list

Standard English Conventions practice question

The three founders — a chemist, a ____ and a retired sea captain — met at a lecture in 1898.

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

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

Answer: A. schoolteacher,

Inside the dash-enclosed list, items are separated by commas.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. schoolteacher —
A third dash would close the interruption too early.
C. schoolteacher;
Semicolons are for list items that themselves contain commas.
D. schoolteacher
No comma runs two items together.

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