Question #N1047
The first time I ever saw a hummingbird, I was struck by how quickly it could move from flower to flower. It seemed to hover effortlessly in the air, darting from one blossom to the next, its tiny wings a blur of motion.
Which choice provides the best way to revise the underlined portion of the sentence to improve the clarity and conciseness of the passage?
A. It seemed to hover effortlessly in the air and darted from one blossom to the next, its tiny wings a blur of motion.
B. It seemed to hover effortlessly in the air, darting from one blossom to the next with its tiny wings a blur of motion.
C. It seemed to hover effortlessly in the air, darting from one blossom to the next, its tiny wings blurred in motion.
D. It seemed to hover effortlessly in the air, darting from one blossom to the next, and its tiny wings were a blur of motion.
Correct Answer is: A
Choice A is the best option. The two independent clauses created by the semicolon are both about the hummingbird's movements, and this structure makes the writing more clear and concise.