Question 219·Hard·Boundaries
Introduced in a 2001 journal article, the term "dark sky reserve" was coined by astronomer _____ contended that shielding outdoor lights could preserve both starlight and wildlife.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
For punctuation-with-"who" questions, first decide whether the "who" clause is essential to identify the person (no comma) or extra description (set it off with commas). Then check each answer choice for three things: no comma between first and last name, correct placement of commas around the "who" clause, and smooth reading when you read the sentence out loud or in your head. Eliminate any option that either breaks up a name incorrectly or inserts unnecessary commas inside the clause.
Hints
Find the descriptive clause
Locate the word "who" in the sentence and read the words that follow it. Ask yourself: is this part identifying which astronomer, or just adding extra information about the same astronomer?
Think about commas with "who"
When a clause starting with "who" adds extra, nonessential information about a person, how is it usually separated from the rest of the sentence with commas?
Check the name itself
Look at how commas are used around the name. Should there be any comma between a person's first and last name? Should there be a comma directly after "who" here?
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the clause starting with "who"
Look at the sentence around the blank:
"...was coined by astronomer _____ who contended that shielding outdoor lights could preserve both starlight and wildlife."
The words "who contended that shielding outdoor lights could preserve both starlight and wildlife" form a clause that describes the astronomer. It adds extra information about what the astronomer believed; it is not needed to identify which astronomer.
Decide where commas are needed
Because the "who" clause adds extra, nonessential information about the astronomer, it should be set off with a comma before "who." This means we need a comma right before "who" to introduce that extra descriptive clause.
At the same time:
- We do not put a comma between a person's first and last name.
- We do not put a comma immediately after "who" here, because the clause continues smoothly: "who contended that shielding outdoor lights could preserve both starlight and wildlife."
Match the correct punctuation to the answer choice
We want:
- First and last name together with no comma between them.
- One comma right before "who."
- No comma immediately after "who."
The only option that matches this pattern is B) Leslie Rogers, who.