Question 178·Easy·Boundaries
Climate scientist Sarah Das says that Greenland's ice sheet is melting faster than previously _____ this trend, she warns, could speed up sea-level rise.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
For boundaries questions, determine whether each side of the blank is an independent clause. If a conjunctive adverb (e.g., however, therefore, consequently) is used to connect two independent clauses, use a semicolon before it and a comma after it (IC; however, IC). Eliminate comma splices (IC, however, IC) and run-ons (IC however, IC).
Hints
Check independence
Do the words before and after the blank each form a complete sentence (independent clause)?
Spot the signal word
"Therefore" is a conjunctive adverb. What punctuation is normally used immediately before and after it when it connects two independent clauses?
Match the pattern
Look for the option that creates IC; therefore, IC. Avoid comma splices and run-ons.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify clause types on both sides of the blank
Before the blank is an independent clause: "Climate scientist Sarah Das says that Greenland's ice sheet is melting faster than previously recorded." After the blank is also an independent clause: "this trend, she warns, could speed up sea-level rise."
Recognize the role of "therefore"
"Therefore" is a conjunctive adverb. When it links two independent clauses, it is typically preceded by a semicolon (or period) and followed by a comma.
Apply the standard punctuation pattern
Use the pattern to avoid a comma splice or a run-on.
Select the only option that fits the rule
Only "recorded; therefore," correctly places a semicolon before "therefore" and a comma after it. Thus, the correct answer is "recorded; therefore,".