16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardNonrestrictive whose clause

Standard English Conventions practice question

The lighthouse's last keeper, ____ retired in 1998.

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

  1. A. whose logbooks fill six shelves of the town archive,Correct
  2. B. whose logbooks fill six shelves of the town archive
  3. C. whose logbooks fill six shelves of the town archive;
  4. D. his logbooks fill six shelves of the town archive,

Answer: A. whose logbooks fill six shelves of the town archive,

The "whose" clause is nonessential and is closed with a comma.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. whose logbooks fill six shelves of the town archive
Opened but not closed.
C. whose logbooks fill six shelves of the town archive;
A semicolon leaves fragments.
D. his logbooks fill six shelves of the town archive,
"his logbooks fill" is an independent clause, making a comma splice.

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