Question 55·Hard·Boundaries
Marie Curie’s pioneering research on radioactivity earned her ___ she remains the only scientist to have received the award in two different scientific fields.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
For punctuation with conjunctive adverbs (however, therefore, nevertheless) between two independent clauses, verify both sides are complete sentences, then choose the pattern ; however, to avoid comma splices and punctuation errors.
Hints
Check clause completeness
Confirm that the words before and after the blank can each stand alone as complete sentences.
Recognize the transition
Identify 'however' as a conjunctive adverb signaling contrast between two complete ideas.
Recall the pattern
For conjunctive adverbs between two independent clauses, use a semicolon before the adverb and a comma after it.
Test each option in context
Read the sentence with each choice and check whether it correctly separates two independent clauses without creating a comma splice or misusing a colon.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the two parts of the sentence
Read the sentence around the blank:
- Part 1:
Marie Curie’s pioneering research on radioactivity earned her two Nobel Prizes - Part 2:
she remains the only scientist to have received the award in two different scientific fields.
Each part is an independent clause (complete sentence).
Notice the transition word
The word 'however' signals contrast and functions as a conjunctive adverb connecting two independent clauses.
Apply the punctuation rule for conjunctive adverbs
When a conjunctive adverb connects two independent clauses, use a semicolon before the adverb and a comma after it: First clause ; however, second clause.
Evaluate each option
two Nobel Prizes: however,— A colon is not used to connect two contrasting independent clauses with 'however.'two Nobel Prizes; however,— Correct: semicolon before 'however' and comma after it.two Nobel Prizes, however— A comma before 'however' is too weak to join two sentences and the comma after 'however' is missing.two Nobel Prizes; however— Missing the comma after 'however.'
Therefore, the correct answer is two Nobel Prizes; however,.