16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardColon before an explanation after a complete clause

Standard English Conventions practice question

The ferry no longer calls at the smaller ____ its new hull draws too much water for the harbour there.

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

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

Answer: A. island:

The second clause explains the first; a colon introduces the explanation.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. island,
A comma alone between two independent clauses is a splice.
C. island; because
A semicolon must be followed by an independent clause; 'because…' is dependent.
D. island
No punctuation runs the two together.

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