Question 128·Medium·Form, Structure, and Sense
The final report highlights the contributions of Maya _____ the lead data analyst, and calls for expanded resources.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
For punctuation questions, identify what the words after the blank are doing: joining two clauses, introducing an explanation/list, or adding nonessential description. Then match punctuation to function—semicolon between two independent clauses, colon after a full clause introducing what follows, commas (or paired dashes/parentheses) to set off nonessential appositives—and make sure punctuation is consistent on both sides of the inserted phrase.
Hints
Identify what the phrase is doing
In the sentence, does "the lead data analyst" introduce a new idea, or does it rename/describe the person right before the blank?
Test whether the middle phrase is removable
Try reading the sentence without "the lead data analyst". If the sentence still works, the phrase is probably nonessential and should be set off with punctuation.
Use the punctuation already given
Look after the phrase "the lead data analyst"—there is already punctuation there. What punctuation would normally pair with it to set off a nonessential appositive?
Check semicolon/colon requirements
Semicolons and colons usually come after a complete clause. Is the text before the blank a complete clause?
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the sentence structure
Read the sentence and focus on the words around the blank:
"The final report highlights the contributions of Maya _____ the lead data analyst, and calls for expanded resources."
The words "the lead data analyst" rename the person being discussed (Maya Patel). That renaming phrase is an appositive.
Identify whether the appositive is essential
Ask whether the sentence still makes sense if you remove the appositive:
"The final report highlights the contributions of Maya Patel and calls for expanded resources."
Because the sentence remains clear, "the lead data analyst" is nonessential (nonrestrictive) information, which should be set off with matching punctuation.
Use the punctuation already present
Notice there is already punctuation after the appositive (after "analyst"). Nonessential appositives must be set off with matching punctuation on both sides (for example, commas on both sides or dashes on both sides). So the punctuation you place in the blank must correctly pair with the punctuation that comes after the appositive.
Eliminate the other punctuation and choose the correct option
- "Patel;" is wrong because a semicolon should separate two independent clauses, and this blank falls between a name and a descriptive title.
- "Patel:" is wrong because a colon should follow a complete clause and introduce something like a list or explanation.
- "Patel—" is wrong because an em dash used this way would normally need a second, matching dash after the appositive (not a comma).
Therefore, the correct choice is "Patel,".