A punctuation question with a joining word tests how you connect sentence parts. Split at the join and ask whether each side can stand alone, with its own subject and verb. Between full sentences, a joining word usually takes a comma; a semicolon can come before it when long sentences contain commas. A colon follows a full sentence and introduces an explanation, example, or list. When verbs share a subject, no comma is usually needed. Check structure, not pauses.
Hints
- Hint 1
Find who or what each part is about. Look at the words before concluded and before has revealed.
- Hint 2
Try reading each side as a separate sentence. If both sides can stand alone, what punctuation rule applies when a joining word connects them?
Step-by-step
Split and test the join
Step 1Find the first full sentence
Split after the noun that completes a simple sugar, where the punctuation changes. Can the first part stand alone? Early studies concluded gives us a subject, who or what the sentence is about, and a main verb, which tells what the subject did. The words after that tell us what the studies concluded, so this part is a full sentence.
- Step 2
Test the newer finding
What about the words after the blank? more recent research has revealed has its own subject, research, and main verb, has revealed. The words beginning with that tell us what the research revealed, so this part can also stand alone. How are the findings connected? The newer research adds antioxidants and antibacterial compounds to the earlier view of honey as a simple sugar, so but connects contrasting findings, and a colon isn't the standard punctuation for joining these full sentences with but.
- Step 3
Pair the comma with the joining word
How do we join these sentences while keeping but? A comma and a joining word work as a pair between two full sentences. The version solution but leaves out that comma, while a semicolon isn't the standard mark here because neither part has internal commas. The version solution, but puts the comma directly before the joining word. Choice C.