Question 247·Easy·Boundaries
The singer captivated the audience with her powerful _____ the band provided a dynamic accompaniment that filled the hall with energy.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
For punctuation questions, first decide whether each side of the blank is a complete sentence (has its own subject and verb). If both sides are independent clauses, then choose between comma + coordinating conjunction, semicolon, or (less often) a colon based on the relationship: use comma + FANBOYS to join equal actions, a semicolon to link closely related sentences without a conjunction, and a colon only when the second part explains, lists, or restates the first. Avoid choices that omit needed punctuation or that use heavier punctuation (semicolon/colon) when a simple compound-sentence structure is intended.
Hints
Identify complete sentences
Check whether the words before the blank form a complete sentence (with a subject and verb) and whether the words after the blank also form a complete sentence.
Recall the compound-sentence pattern
If you’re joining two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction like and, what punctuation normally comes right before that conjunction?
Eliminate heavier punctuation
Ask whether the second clause is explaining/restating the first (colon) or whether you’re joining clauses without a conjunction (semicolon). If neither is true, those options are unlikely.
Step-by-step Explanation
Check the structure on both sides of the blank
First, include the word that completes the phrase before analyzing clause boundaries (for example, insert voice):
- "The singer captivated the audience with her powerful voice"
- "the band provided a dynamic accompaniment that filled the hall with energy"
Each part has its own subject and verb ("singer captivated" and "band provided"), so each part is an independent clause. We are joining two independent clauses.
Recall punctuation rules for joining two independent clauses
When two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction (like and, but, or, so, for, nor, yet), Standard English typically uses a comma before the conjunction.
Other punctuation marks have different jobs:
- A semicolon usually joins two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.
- A colon follows a full sentence and introduces a list, explanation, or restatement.
Here, the relationship is simply that two related actions happened, so we want the normal compound-sentence pattern with comma + coordinating conjunction.
Test each choice against the rule and context
Now plug in each option and apply the rules:
- voice and → This joins two independent clauses with and but omits the comma that Standard English conventionally requires in this structure.
- voice; and → A semicolon already connects independent clauses; adding and after it is not the standard pattern here.
- voice: → A colon would suggest that the second clause explains or illustrates the first; here, it’s just another coordinated action.
- voice, and → This follows the correct pattern for two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction.
Therefore, the correct answer is voice, and.