A punctuation question with a blank between two events tests whether each side can stand alone. Split at the blank and look for a subject and a main verb: who or what the sentence is about, and what they do or are. Then check for words that make one part depend on another. Two full sentences need a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a joining word. A pause isn't enough to decide the punctuation.
Hints
- Hint 1
Look at the words before the blank. Find the subject and main verb, then ask whether that part could stand alone.
- Hint 2
Check whether the downpour part can stand alone. Find its subject and verb, and look for any word that makes it depend on the first part.
Step-by-step
Split and test each side
Step 1Test the first side
Split after town to test what punctuation the parts need. What had energized the town? The excitement of preparing for the festival gives the subject, what the sentence is about, and had energized is the main verb, which says what it did. So the first side can stand alone.
- Step 2
Test the downpour part
Can the words after the blank stand alone too? The sudden downpour gives the subject, and forced gives the main verb, so the words already say who did what. No word makes this part depend on the first, which means the second side is also a full sentence.
- Step 3
Choose a complete join
Two full sentences can be joined by a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a joining word. The version town; but, places a comma after but, breaking its link to the downpour sentence. Which choice gives us the comma and joining word in the right order? town, but has the comma before but. Choice B.