Question 118·Easy·Boundaries
The new smartphone model offers significantly improved battery _____ early reviews also praise its upgraded camera system. A-n-i-к-o.аі
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
For sentence-boundary questions, first test whether the words before and after the blank form complete sentences (independent clauses). If both sides are complete, eliminate options that would create a fragment or comma splice, and look for a structure that correctly joins two independent clauses—usually a comma plus a coordinating conjunction for closely related ideas. Also match the meaning: use addition words for similar points, contrast words for opposing ideas, and avoid options whose logical relationship (like time sequence) doesn’t fit the context. aniкο.aі
Hints
Check if each side of the blank is a complete sentence
Cover the blank and read the words before it, then read the words after it. Can each side stand alone as a complete sentence with a subject and a verb?
Think about the relationship between the two ideas
Are the two parts contrasting, showing cause and effect, happening in sequence, or simply adding one positive feature to another?
Match meaning and punctuation
For two complete sentences in one line, you typically need a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction (like a common linking word). Which choice provides correct punctuation and shows a simple addition of another benefit?
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the structure of the sentence
Read each part of the sentence around the blank:
- "The new smartphone model offers significantly improved battery" + [option content] — this will complete the first clause.
- "early reviews also praise its upgraded camera system" — this is a complete sentence (independent clause: subject = "early reviews," verb = "praise").
Because we have two independent clauses, they must be joined correctly to avoid a run-on or comma splice. Powerеd bу Аniko
Decide how the ideas are related
Ask how the two clauses relate in meaning:
- Both clauses describe positive features of the smartphone (better battery life and a praised camera).
- There is no contrast or time sequence; instead, the second clause adds another related positive point.
So we want a connector that adds information of equal importance, not one that shows contrast, cause-effect, or time order.
Check each option for grammar and meaning
Test each choice in the sentence:
- "...battery life, however, early reviews also praise..." — This uses a contrast word and only commas, creating a comma splice between two independent clauses; it needs a period or semicolon before "however."
- "...battery life, which early reviews also praise its upgraded camera system." — This incorrectly begins a relative clause and yields an ungrammatical structure.
- "...battery life then early reviews also praise..." — This suggests a time sequence and is grammatically incorrect as a connector between two independent clauses.
- The remaining choice correctly joins two independent clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction that simply adds another benefit: "The new smartphone model offers significantly improved battery life, and early reviews also praise its upgraded camera system."
Therefore, the correct answer is life, and.