Question 53·Hard·Boundaries
Despite growing competition from digital media, independent bookstores are experiencing a resurgence, with sales increasing by nearly 8 percent _____ trend that surprised many industry analysts.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
For boundaries questions, first determine whether the text on each side of the blank is an independent clause. Use semicolons and periods only between two complete sentences. When the words after the blank form an appositive or nonessential phrase, attach them to the sentence with a comma rather than separating them with strong punctuation.
Hints
Check clause completeness
Is the text before the blank a complete sentence? Are the words after the blank (starting with "trend that…") a complete sentence?
Remember strong punctuation rules
Semicolons and periods should only separate two complete sentences. If the portion after the blank isn’t a complete sentence, those marks are likely wrong.
Identify the phrase after the blank
Recognize that "a trend that surprised many industry analysts" renames or explains the resurgence; such appositive phrases are typically set off with commas.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the structure before the blank
Read up to the blank: "Despite growing competition from digital media, independent bookstores are experiencing a resurgence, with sales increasing by nearly 8 percent." This is a complete sentence with subject and predicate; anything added after the blank will be extra information.
Determine what the blank must supply
The blank needs to add the time modifier "last year" and then introduce the descriptive phrase that renames the resurgence: "a trend that surprised many industry analysts." This descriptive phrase is not a complete sentence by itself.
Match punctuation to clause types
Semicolons and periods separate two independent clauses. Commas can set off appositives or nonessential descriptive phrases. Since the following words form an appositive, they should be attached to the main clause with a comma, not separated by strong punctuation.
Select the correct option
Choose the option that keeps the descriptive phrase attached to the sentence and properly set off: "last year, a trend that surprised many industry analysts." Therefore, the correct answer is "last year, a."