Question 137·200 Super-Hard SAT Reading Questions·Standard English Conventions
In her famous 1970 study, economist Joan Robinson criticized neoclassical equilibrium _____ she argued, those models ignored the reality of monopolistic competition.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
For clause-boundary questions, first determine whether both sides are independent clauses. If so, join them with either (1) comma + coordinating conjunction or (2) a semicolon by itself. Then check for interrupters like "she argued" and ensure they are set off by commas on both sides. Eliminate any choice that uses a semicolon together with a coordinating conjunction or that fails to punctuate the interrupter correctly.
Hints
Check clause completeness
Test whether the parts before and after the conjunction are complete sentences. If both sides are independent clauses, you must follow strict joining rules.
Spot the interrupter
Identify "she argued" as an interrupting phrase that needs commas on both sides. Mentally remove it to see the underlying structure.
Conjunction vs. semicolon
Remember: with a coordinating conjunction (such as "for") joining two independent clauses, use comma + conjunction, not a semicolon with the conjunction.
Mind the comma after "for"
Because of the interrupter "she argued," a comma must immediately follow "for." Without it, the interrupter is not properly set off and the sentence boundary becomes incorrect.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the clauses
Break the sentence into its main ideas:
- First clause: "In her famous 1970 study, economist Joan Robinson criticized neoclassical equilibrium models"
- Second clause: "those models ignored the reality of monopolistic competition" Both are independent clauses and must be joined correctly.
Account for the interrupter
The phrase "she argued" is an interrupting attribution. Such interrupters are set off by commas on both sides. In the second clause, it appears right after the conjunction "for" and must be preceded and followed by commas: "for, she argued, those models…"
Choose the appropriate clause boundary punctuation
When using a coordinating conjunction (like "for") to join two independent clauses, use a comma before the conjunction (comma + conjunction). Do not use a semicolon with a coordinating conjunction. Also, because of the interrupter, you need a comma immediately after "for."
Select the option that satisfies both rules
Only "models, for," provides a comma before the coordinating conjunction and a comma immediately after it to set off the interrupter: "…criticized neoclassical equilibrium models, for, she argued, those models ignored…" Thus, the correct answer is models, for,.