Question 206·Hard·Boundaries
Guadalupe Marín was known as the muse and wife of painter Diego _____ however, she also forged her own artistic career, eventually publishing a collection of short stories and exhibiting her sculptures in Mexico City.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
For boundary questions, first determine whether you have two independent clauses. Then watch for conjunctive adverbs (e.g., however, therefore, moreover): when they connect two independent clauses in one sentence, the standard SAT convention is conjunctive adverb . Eliminate choices that use only a comma, omit needed punctuation, or misuse a colon.
Hints
Spot the transition
The word "however" is a special kind of transition (a conjunctive adverb). What punctuation usually comes right before it when it connects two complete sentences?
Check for two full sentences
See if the words before the blank and the words after the transition each form an independent clause (a complete sentence).
Remember the “however” pattern
If "however" connects two independent clauses in one sentence, you typically need a semicolon before it and a comma after it.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify what comes after the blank
After the blank, the text reads: "however, she also forged her own artistic career..." The word "however" is a conjunctive adverb (a transition) that is typically used after a semicolon (or after a period starting a new sentence) and is followed by a comma.
Check whether both sides can stand alone
Before the blank (once "Diego Rivera" is completed), you have an independent clause: "Guadalupe Marín was known as the muse and wife of painter Diego Rivera."
After the transition, you have another independent clause: "she also forged her own artistic career..."
Apply the correct punctuation pattern for “however”
When a conjunctive adverb like "however" links two independent clauses in one sentence, the standard pattern is:
- Independent clause however, independent clause
A comma alone cannot join two independent clauses, and a colon is not used in this pattern.
Test each option
- "Rivera, however, she" leaves a comma where a stronger boundary is needed between two independent clauses.
- "Rivera: however, she" misuses a colon before a conjunctive adverb.
- "Rivera however, she" is missing the necessary punctuation before "however."
Thus the only option that correctly punctuates the boundary is "Rivera; however, she".