16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardSemicolon before on the other hand

Standard English Conventions practice question

The north tower was rebuilt in ____ on the other hand, the south tower still has its medieval roof.

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

  1. A. 1860;Correct
  2. B. 1860,
  3. C. 1860
  4. D. 1860, and

Answer: A. 1860;

"on the other hand" begins a second complete sentence; a semicolon separates the two.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. 1860,
A comma splice.
C. 1860
Run together.
D. 1860, and
"and on the other hand, the south tower" produces a stray comma after the phrase; the semicolon is the clean join.

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