Question

The following sentence tests correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of the sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternative, select choice A; if not, select one of the other choices.

In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is, pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence-clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.

The fruit fly is often used to study genetic mechanisms, because it reproduces rapidly scientists can observe the effects of exeriments on several generations.

• A. Mechanisms, because it reproduces rapidly
• B. Mechanisms, since it reproduces rapidly
• C. Mechanisms, since, with its rapid reproduction
• D. Mechanisms; because it reproduces rapidly,
• E. Mechanisms; then rapid reproduction allows

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Mechanisms; because it reproduces rapidly,

Here, a semi-colon must replace the comma because it is only the semicolon that is used to connect two independent clauses such as the given sentence. Only D rectifies this error without adding any new ones.