A punctuation question whose choices differ only in the mark tests how the parts of a sentence fit together. Read around the blank to find where extra information starts and ends. Cross it out and check whether the words left form a complete sentence. Extra information inside a sentence needs matching commas, dashes, or parentheses, even within a longer description. Don't mistake a list comma or a mark around another phrase for the end of the extra information.
Hints
- Hint 1
Read from that through “limited quantities” and look for the phrase that interrupts those words.
- Hint 2
Cross out the phrase beginning with because of to see whether the sentence still works. Then check how the two ends of that phrase are marked.
Step-by-step
Find and close the insert
Step 1Find where the extra information starts
Read from that, because of strict import toward the blank: we're punctuating the words describing the cheeses. Those words form a clause, a group of words with a subject and a verb. Where does extra information start? The comma after that opens an insert, extra information about the limited supply that we can test by crossing out.
- Step 2
Find the end and cross it out
Which verb goes with that? Oakwood Market's verb is sells, but that needs a verb within the clause about the cheeses. It's are in are available only in limited quantities, so the reason phrase ends right before it. Cross out that phrase, and the end reads imported cheeses that are available only in limited quantities. Both the main sentence and the clause about the cheeses still have their verbs, so the sentence works without the reason phrase.
- Step 3
Match the closing mark
What mark can close this insert? An insert in the middle of a sentence must have matching marks, so the opening comma needs a closing comma. A dash would mix marks, a colon can't close the insert, and no punctuation would leave it open. The comma in regulations, closes the phrase before are available. Choice A.