Question 241·Easy·Boundaries
Many graffiti artists value the spontaneity of working on outdoor _____ their most striking pieces are often carefully planned in sketchbooks beforehand.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
For punctuation and boundary questions, first split the sentence at the blank and decide whether each side is an independent clause (its own subject and verb). Then determine the logical relationship between the two clauses (contrast, addition, cause/effect). Use this to choose the correct connector and punctuation pattern—especially remembering that two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) usually require a comma before the conjunction. Eliminate any options that add extra commas or mix punctuation patterns (like semicolon plus conjunction).
Hints
Check each side of the blank
Decide whether the words before the blank form a complete sentence, and whether the words after the blank form a complete sentence (each needs a subject and a verb).
Match the relationship
The second idea contrasts with the first (spontaneity vs. careful planning). Look for a connector that signals contrast.
Use the correct joining pattern
If both sides are independent clauses and you use a coordinating conjunction (like "but"), make sure the punctuation matches the standard independent-clause pattern.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the two parts of the sentence
Read the sentence around the blank:
- First part: "Many graffiti artists value the spontaneity of working on outdoor walls"
- Second part: "their most striking pieces are often carefully planned in sketchbooks beforehand"
Check whether each part has its own subject and verb.
Decide if they are independent clauses
An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.
- "Many graffiti artists value the spontaneity of working on outdoor walls" can stand alone.
- "their most striking pieces are often carefully planned in sketchbooks beforehand" can also stand alone.
Because both halves are complete sentences, we need punctuation that correctly joins two independent clauses.
Determine the relationship between the clauses
The ideas contrast:
- First clause: artists value spontaneity.
- Second clause: their best work is often carefully planned.
So the connector should show contrast ("but").
Apply the rules for joining independent clauses
To join two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction like "but," the standard pattern is:
- independent clause + comma + coordinating conjunction + independent clause
Now test the choices:
- "walls but" is missing the comma.
- "walls, but," adds an unnecessary extra comma after "but."
- "walls; but" incorrectly uses a semicolon before a coordinating conjunction.
- "walls, but" correctly places a single comma before the coordinating conjunction.
Therefore, the correct answer is "walls, but".