16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardComma before a coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses

Standard English Conventions practice question

The seals haul out on the far ____ and the walkers keep to the near one.

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

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

Answer: A. bank,

'And' joining two independent clauses takes a comma before it.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. bank
Two full clauses joined by 'and' take a comma.
C. bank;
A semicolon and 'and' together is one connector too many.
D. bank, and,
A stray comma after 'and'.

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