A punctuation question tests how linking words and punctuation connect sentences. Split at the blank and test whether each side can stand alone. A full sentence names who or what it's about and gives a complete thought. Two full sentences take a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a joining word. A transition starting the second sentence needs a period or semicolon before it and a comma after it.
Hints
- Hint 1
Look at appears before the blank and reveals after it. Find who or what each verb tells you about, then ask whether each side can stand alone.
- Hint 2
Check both the linking word and the marks around it. A joining word uses a comma between full sentences; a transition starting the second sentence needs a period or semicolon before it and a comma after it.
Step-by-step
Test the sentences and linking words
Step 1Test both sides
Split where the text moves from The desert environment appears barren to a closer look reveals. Can each side stand alone? Each has a subject, who or what it's about, and a main verb, which says what the subject does or is: environment appears and look reveals. The second side completes its thought by telling us what the closer look reveals: an ecosystem beneath the sand. So both sides are full sentences and need punctuation that connects them correctly.
- Step 2
Check the transition's punctuation
What does however need before a closer look reveals? It's a transition, a word that shows how ideas relate but can't join full sentences with a comma. When it starts the second sentence, it needs a period or semicolon before it and a comma after it. The version glance; however is missing the comma after it, while glance, however, leaves only commas between the sentences.
- Step 3
Pair the joining word with a comma
With but, a comma before the joining word connects these full sentences. In glance; but, the semicolon replaces the comma that belongs with this joining word here. The version glance, but has the comma and joining word together. Choice A.