Question 39·Hard·Boundaries
During the 1990s, computer scientist Hedy Park developed an algorithm capable of compressing high-resolution images without significant loss of _____ innovation laid the groundwork for many of the streaming technologies we use today.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
First, decide if both sides of the blank are independent clauses. If so, choose a strong boundary: a period or semicolon (without capitalizing the next common word), or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction. Eliminate options that create comma splices, misuse semicolons, or mishandle capitalization.
Hints
Clause check
Ask whether the words before and after the blank can each stand alone as complete sentences.
Punctuation rules
Recall which punctuation marks properly connect two independent clauses and how capitalization behaves after each.
Eliminate misuses
Watch for comma splices and for semicolons followed by capitalized common words or by coordinating conjunctions.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the clauses
There are two independent clauses: (1) "During the 1990s, computer scientist Hedy Park developed an algorithm capable of compressing high-resolution images without significant loss of detail" and (2) "The innovation laid the groundwork for many of the streaming technologies we use today." Because both are complete sentences, a strong boundary is required.
Consider valid ways to join independent clauses
Independent clauses can be separated by a period (with the next sentence capitalized), a semicolon (the next word is not capitalized unless a proper noun), or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction. Avoid comma splices and incorrect semicolon usage.
Evaluate the choices and conclude
Only "detail. The" correctly creates two sentences: "... loss of detail. The innovation laid ..." The other choices either capitalize after a semicolon, create a comma splice, or pair a semicolon with a coordinating conjunction, which is incorrect. Therefore, the correct answer is detail. The.