EXXCEL

Reading and Writing Module 1 Question 17

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

Explanation

Brazilian artist Eliseu Visconti, active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, won praise for his works in portraiture and landscape painting. Noting his innovative approach and distinctive fusion of styles, critics often draw comparisons between Visconti and the European masters of the same period.

Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between sentences. The period should be used to separate the first sentence “Brazilian artist … painting” from the second sentence that begins with the supplementary phrase “Noting his … period.”

Choice B: It results in a comma splice. A comma cannot be used in this way to mark the boundary between two sentences.

Choice C: It results in a run-on sentence. Two sentences are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction.

Choice D: Without a comma preceding it, the conjunction “and” cannot be used in this way to join the two sentences.

✨ Expert's Tip ✨

  • A period, semicolon, or coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) can be used to separate complete sentences.
  • Keep in mind that two independent clauses cannot be joined by only a comma.
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