Anthropologist Margaret Mead argued that adolescence is not universally turbulent, her field studies in Samoa _____ differences in social support systems that shaped teenagers’ experiences.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
First identify whether the text before the comma is already an independent clause. Then classify each choice as a finite verb, part of a relative clause, or a participle. Reject finite verbs that create a second independent clause after only a comma and reject choices that leave a detached fragment; choose the form that creates a grammatically complete supplementary phrase.
Hints
Check if you already have a complete sentence
Look closely at the part before the comma. Does it already have a subject and a verb that form a complete thought?
Think about what should come after the comma
Since the sentence is already complete before the comma, ask: should the next part be another full sentence, or a phrase that adds more information about "her field studies in Samoa"?
Classify each answer choice by its grammar function
Decide whether each option (revealed, which revealed, reveal, revealing) would create a full clause with its own subject and verb, or a descriptive phrase that depends on the main clause.
Watch for comma splices and fragments
Remember that two complete sentences cannot be joined by just a comma, and a long phrase after a comma still needs to fit grammatically with the main clause.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the complete main clause
“Anthropologist Margaret Mead argued that adolescence is not universally turbulent” contains a subject, “Anthropologist Margaret Mead,” and a finite verb, “argued.” It is therefore an independent clause.
Determine the needed structure
After the comma, “her field studies in Samoa” serves as the noun phrase in a supplementary construction. An participle can follow that noun phrase to create an absolute phrase that adds information about how the studies support Mead’s argument.
Evaluate the choices
- revealed is a finite past-tense verb, so “her field studies in Samoa revealed differences” becomes another independent clause. Joining it to the first clause with only a comma creates a comma splice.
- which revealed makes “which revealed differences...” a relative clause modifying “her field studies in Samoa,” but the entire detached noun phrase has no grammatical role in the main clause. The result is a fragmentary supplement.
- reveal is also a finite verb, so it creates another independent clause after only a comma and produces a comma splice.
- revealing is a participle. Together with “her field studies in Samoa,” it creates a grammatically valid absolute phrase.
Confirm the completed sentence
The completed sentence reads: “Anthropologist Margaret Mead argued that adolescence is not universally turbulent, her field studies in Samoa revealing differences in social support systems that shaped teenagers’ experiences.” The absolute phrase supplies supporting information without creating a second independent clause.