16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardColon and semicolons in a list of items with descriptions

Standard English Conventions practice question

The stall sells three ____ Charlotte, which is waxy; King Edward, which is floury; and Pink Fir Apple, which is knobbly and sweet.

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

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

Answer: A. potatoes:

A colon introduces the list; items with internal commas are separated by semicolons.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. potatoes;
A semicolon can't introduce the list.
C. potatoes,
A comma can't introduce a list after a complete clause.
D. potatoes
Nothing introduces the list.

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