A punctuation question with extra information tests whether you can find both ends of a comment. Look around the blank for an insert, a piece of extra information. Follow the whole comment, because punctuation inside it may belong to smaller parts. Cross out the insert to check that a complete sentence remains. An insert in the middle must close with the same kind of mark that opened it, without extra punctuation splitting the words left behind.
Hints
- Hint 1
Look back from the blank for the beginning of the extra information. What punctuation introduces the company’s shorter name?
- Hint 2
Find where the sentence picks up again. Which words return to what the company did, rather than what it is called?
- Hint 3
Cross out the whole comment about the name. Check what mark opened it and whether the remaining sentence needs punctuation between the company’s name and its verb.
Step-by-step
Find the insert and match its marks
Step 1Find the opening mark
Look back to Flux Variants—or Flux: the dash introduces the company’s shorter name. It opens an insert, a piece of extra information that interrupts the main sentence, so this question asks how to finish that insert. The comma in In its most recent season, ends the opening time phrase; it doesn’t start this comment.
- Step 2
Follow the whole comment
How far does the dash insert run? The words as the group is often still explain the name Flux, and called completes that thought. The comma after Flux belongs inside the larger insert: it separates the shorter name from the comment about what the group is called. The sentence returns to what the company did at has tackled themes, so the whole insert runs through called.
- Step 3
Check the sentence without the insert
Cross out everything from the opening dash through called. Who has tackled the themes? the experimental theater company Flux Variants is the subject, and has tackled is its main verb. The subject goes straight to its verb, so the version with a dash followed by a comma would leave an unwanted comma between them.
- Step 4
Match the closing mark
What should end the insert before has tackled themes? The opening dash needs a closing dash. Use a dash right after called, with no extra comma, giving called—. Choice B.