16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardColon before an explanation; not a comma

Standard English Conventions practice question

The choir has one rule for new ____ come to every rehearsal for the first term, without exception.

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

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

Answer: A. members:

A complete clause followed by the rule it announces takes a colon.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. members,
A comma leaves the rule dangling.
C. members;
A semicolon joins two statements of equal weight; here the second part is the rule the first part announces, which a colon introduces.
D. members
No punctuation runs the clause into the rule.

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