Question 222·Hard·Boundaries
Astronomer Rachel Ortiz has cataloged over three hundred exoplanet ______ her findings must undergo rigorous peer review before they are accepted into the final database.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
For boundaries questions, determine whether the text on each side of the connection is an independent clause. If both are full sentences, simple commas are not enough—look for a period, semicolon, or the correct conjunctive-adverb pattern (semicolon + transition + comma). Eliminate options that create comma splices, fused sentences, or misuse colons.
Hints
Locate the two full ideas
Identify the two underlying clauses: one about Ortiz cataloging exoplanet candidates and one about the need for peer review. Both are complete sentences.
Focus on the transition word
All choices use the transition word "nevertheless." Recall how punctuation works with conjunctive adverbs between two independent clauses.
Recall the standard pattern
To join two independent clauses with a transition like "nevertheless," use a semicolon before the transition and a comma after it.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the clauses that need to be joined
When any choice is inserted, the text becomes:
- Before the transition: "Astronomer Rachel Ortiz has cataloged over three hundred exoplanet candidates" — a complete sentence (independent clause).
- After the transition: "her findings must undergo rigorous peer review before they are accepted into the final database" — also a complete sentence (independent clause).
So the punctuation must correctly join two independent clauses.
Recognize the transition type
"Nevertheless" is a conjunctive adverb (like "however," "therefore," "consequently"). When it connects two independent clauses, standard punctuation is:
- Independent clause ; conjunctive adverb , independent clause
Or
- Independent clause. Conjunctive adverb , independent clause
Evaluate each option against the rule
We need punctuation that ends the first clause, sets off the conjunctive adverb with a comma, and introduces the second clause correctly.
- A) "candidates, nevertheless," leaves only a comma between two complete sentences, creating a comma splice.
- B) "candidates: nevertheless" misuses the colon (the second clause contrasts rather than explains), and it omits the comma after "nevertheless."
- D) "candidates nevertheless" provides no punctuation, fusing two sentences.
Only one option uses a semicolon before the transition and a comma after it.
Select the correct option
Choose the option that follows the correct pattern for a conjunctive adverb between two independent clauses:
C) candidates; nevertheless,
Completed sentence:
"Astronomer Rachel Ortiz has cataloged over three hundred exoplanet candidates; nevertheless, her findings must undergo rigorous peer review before they are accepted into the final database."