Question #N1188
The first time I saw her, she was sitting in a cafe, reading a book. Her long hair cascaded down her back, framing her face, and her eyes were bright with intelligence. She was wearing a simple white dress that flowed gracefully around her, making her appear almost ethereal. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.
Which choice most effectively combines the sentences at the underlined portion?
A. Her long hair cascaded down her back, framing her face, and her eyes were bright with intelligence, making her appear almost ethereal.
B. Her long hair cascaded down her back, framing her face, and her eyes were bright with intelligence; she was wearing a simple white dress that flowed gracefully around her, making her appear almost ethereal.
C. Her long hair cascaded down her back, framing her face, and her eyes were bright with intelligence, she was wearing a simple white dress that flowed gracefully around her, making her appear almost ethereal.
D. Her long hair cascaded down her back, framing her face, and her eyes were bright with intelligence; making her appear almost ethereal, she was wearing a simple white dress that flowed gracefully around her.
Correct Answer is: A
Choice A is the most effective because it combines the two sentences smoothly and correctly uses a comma to separate the introductory phrase from the main clause. The other choices create either a comma splice or an incorrect use of a semicolon.