Question #N1132

The 1995 novel "The House of Mirth" by Edith Wharton, a novel that focuses on the life of Lily Bart, a young woman who lives in New York City, has been praised for its sharp social commentary and realistic depiction of turn-of-the-century society, as well as for its exploration of themes such as class, gender, and morality. The novel has also been adapted into a film and has become a classic of American literature.

Which choice best revises the underlined portion to create a more concise and precise sentence?
A. has been adapted into a film, and it has become a classic of American literature.
B. has been adapted into a film, becoming a classic of American literature.
C. has been adapted into a film; it has also become a classic of American literature.
D. became a film and has become a classic of American literature.

Correct Answer is: B

Choice B is the most concise and precise revision because it combines the two independent clauses, "The novel has been adapted into a film" and "The novel has become a classic of American literature," into a single, clear sentence. It avoids unnecessary repetition and redundancy. Choice A uses a comma splice to separate two independent clauses. Choice C uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses, which is not the preferred way to combine these two thoughts. Choice D is incorrect because it uses the past tense verb "became" to describe a state of being that is ongoing, while the text is about a state of being that is generally true.