16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardColon before a single surprising item

Standard English Conventions practice question

The recipe calls for one unusual ____ a spoonful of vinegar.

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

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

Answer: A. ingredient:

A colon introduces the item that the sentence has set up.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. ingredient;
A semicolon needs a complete sentence after it.
C. ingredient,
A comma would make the vinegar an appositive with an awkward break.
D. ingredient
No separation.

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