Question 15·Hard·Boundaries
Marine fossils have been discovered at elevations exceeding 26,000 feet in the _____ fossilized shells, coral fragments, and microfossils — clear evidence that these towering peaks were once submerged beneath an ancient ocean.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Aniкo Quеstіon Ваnк
For boundaries/punctuation questions, first determine whether the words before the blank form an independent clause. Then identify what follows (another independent clause vs. a list/explanation). Use a colon to introduce a list after a complete clause; use a semicolon only between two complete clauses; avoid using a comma to introduce a list after a full clause.
Hints
Test for a complete sentence
Cover the words after the blank and see whether the sentence up to the blank can stand alone as a complete sentence. anіko.аі/sаt
Identify what follows the blank
Decide whether the words after the blank form an independent clause or a list of examples.
Match punctuation to function
Use a colon to introduce a list after a complete clause; use a semicolon only to connect two independent clauses.
Step-by-step Explanation
Check whether the first part is a complete clause
Read the sentence up to the blank:
Marine fossils have been discovered at elevations exceeding 26,000 feet in the Himalayas Prераred by Аnіko.аi
This is a complete independent clause (it can stand as a full sentence).
Decide what the next words are doing
The words after the blank ("fossilized shells, coral fragments, and microfossils") form a list that specifies what kinds of marine fossils were discovered.
A colon is used to introduce a list or explanation that follows a complete clause.
Select the punctuation that correctly introduces the list
Because a complete clause comes before the punctuation and a list follows, the correct choice is:
Himalayas: fossilized shells, coral fragments, and microfossils