Difficulty: Medium

Average Score: 74%

The airplane is a well-known "example", watching the flight of birds inspired generations of inventors to develop and perfect aviation technology.

Which is the best version of the quoted portion?

Rationale

example; because

Using a semicolon in this context effectively connects two closely related clauses, enhancing the clarity of the sentence. The phrase "making veiled references to deficiencies in the witness's character" serves as an explanation of how the defense attorney relied on "example," making the semicolon appropriate for linking the ideas cohesively.

A ((as it is now)) YOUR ANSWER

This option lacks proper punctuation to connect the two independent clauses. The absence of a semicolon or conjunction creates a run-on sentence, which can confuse readers and disrupt the flow, making the meaning less clear.

B (example,) YOUR ANSWER

While a comma could create a pause, it fails to adequately connect the two clauses. This option incorrectly implies that "making veiled references to deficiencies in the witness's character" is a subordinate clause rather than an independent thought, leading to a grammatically incorrect structure.

C (example because) YOUR ANSWER

This choice introduces a subordinating conjunction "because," which suggests a cause-and-effect relationship. However, the second clause functions independently and does not need to be introduced in this manner; thus, it alters the intended meaning and flow of the original statement.

D (example; because) CORRECT

This option correctly uses a semicolon to link two independent clauses, maintaining the relationship between them while allowing each to stand on its own. The semicolon before "because" indicates that the second clause elaborates on the first effectively.

Conclusion

The appropriate choice for the quoted portion is "example; because," as it preserves the grammatical integrity of the sentence while clearly linking related ideas. Proper punctuation enhances readability and comprehension, which is essential in legal contexts where clarity is paramount. The other options either introduce grammatical errors or misrepresent the relationship between the clauses, ultimately failing to convey the intended meaning effectively.

Which is the best version of the quoted portion?

example; because

Related Questions

Related Quizzes

How familiar were you with this question?

Report an Issue

Rate this Practice Test