A punctuation question with a joining word tests how sentence parts connect. Split at the joining word and test whether each side can stand alone. Find each side’s subject, who or what it's about, and main verb, what they do or are. A comma pairs with and or but between full sentences, while a semicolon joins them on its own. A colon introduces an explanation after a full sentence; no comma is needed between two verbs with one shared subject.
Hints
- Hint 1
Read up to the blank, then read from “unforeseen equipment failures” to the end. Find the subject and main verb on each side.
- Hint 2
After testing whether each side can stand alone, check the punctuation that pairs with the joining word.
Step-by-step
Split and test both sides
Step 1Test the first part
Read The research team planned to publish their results in with the shared word June giving the month. Can that part stand alone? The research team is the subject, who the words are about, and planned is the main verb, what the team does. Adding the month completes that thought, so the first part is a full sentence, which we'll need to join correctly to what follows.
- Step 2
Test what follows
After the blank, unforeseen equipment failures delayed their experiments by several weeks describes why the work took longer. Does this part have its own subject and main verb? It does: the equipment failures are the subject, and delayed is the main verb. Those words give a complete thought, so this part can stand alone too.
- Step 3
Pair the mark with the joining word
How does but join the team’s plan to the setback in unforeseen equipment failures delayed their experiments? These two full sentences need a comma before but. June; but uses a semicolon where the sentence needs a comma, and June: but uses a colon where the next thought contrasts with the first rather than explaining it. June but leaves out the comma altogether. June, but has the comma followed by but. Choice A.