Question 64·Easy·Boundaries
Although bats are often associated with darkness and ______ they play a crucial role in controlling insect populations.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
For boundaries questions, identify whether the words before and after the blank form independent or dependent clauses. If the sentence begins with a subordinating conjunction like although, the introductory clause is dependent and should be followed by a comma before the independent clause; eliminate semicolons/colons (need an independent clause before them) and avoid ending a dependent clause with a period.
Hints
Check if the first part is a complete sentence
Cover up the words after the blank and see if the part before the blank could stand alone as a sentence. Does it express a complete thought?
Notice the word that starts the sentence
The sentence begins with the word although. Think about what this word does to the clause that follows it in terms of completeness.
Match punctuation to clause types
Once you decide whether the first part is complete or incomplete, recall which punctuation marks can connect an introductory incomplete clause to a main clause in a smooth, standard way.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the parts of the sentence
Read the sentence with the blank filled by the missing word and punctuation:
- Introductory clause (dependent): “Although bats are often associated with darkness and superstition”
- Main clause (independent): “they play a crucial role in controlling insect populations.”
Because the first clause starts with Although, it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
Apply the rule for introductory dependent clauses
When a sentence begins with a dependent clause introduced by a subordinating conjunction (such as although), that introductory clause should be followed by a comma before the independent clause.
Eliminate punctuation that can’t follow a dependent clause here
A semicolon and a colon must come after an independent clause. Since “Although bats are often associated with darkness and superstition” is dependent, it cannot correctly be followed by either a semicolon or a colon.
A period would incorrectly end the dependent clause as a sentence fragment and would also leave the next clause starting with lowercase they.
Choose the punctuation that correctly links the clauses
Use a comma after the introductory dependent clause. The correct choice is superstition,.