16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardComma after a long introductory clause

Standard English Conventions practice question

Because the reservoir that supplies the town's western districts was drained for ____ residents there were asked to store water in advance.

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

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

Answer: A. repairs,

A dependent clause that opens the sentence is followed by a comma.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. repairs;
A semicolon needs an independent clause on both sides; the "Because" clause is dependent.
C. repairs
No boundary between the introductory clause and the main clause.
D. repairs, and
"and" cannot join a dependent clause to the main clause.

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