Question #N1
The researchers concluded that, in fact, as many as half of the hunters in the groups they studied were female. This finding was a direct challenge to the accepted view that female participation in hunting was negligible.
Which choice best combines the sentences at the underlined portion to create a grammatically correct and stylistically effective sentence?
A. This finding was a direct challenge to the accepted view, that female participation in hunting was negligible.
B. This finding directly challenged the accepted view, that female participation in hunting was negligible.
C. This finding directly challenged the accepted view that female participation in hunting was negligible.
D. This finding, a direct challenge to the accepted view, that female participation in hunting was negligible.
Correct Answer is: C
Choice C is the best option because it combines the two sentences while maintaining a correct grammatical structure and avoiding a comma splice. The phrase "a direct challenge to the accepted view" is nonessential, so it should be set off with commas. The phrase "that female participation in hunting was negligible" is a restrictive clause, so no comma is needed between the clause and the rest of the sentence.