Question #N1220
The text below is adapted from a novel by Toni Morrison. In the novel, the narrator describes a dream that he had, where he saw a woman standing in the doorway of his home. The woman standing in the doorway, her eyes were dark and her face was pale.
Which choice most effectively combines the sentences at the underlined portion to maintain the style and tone of the passage?
A. The woman standing in the doorway, her eyes were dark, and her face was pale.
B. The woman standing in the doorway had dark eyes and a pale face.
C. Standing in the doorway, her eyes were dark, her face was pale.
D. The woman in the doorway, her eyes were dark and her face was pale.
Correct Answer is: C
Choice C is the most effective way to combine the sentences because it maintains the style and tone of the passage. The use of the participle phrase, “Standing in the doorway,” creates a more elegant and descriptive sentence than the other choices. Choice A is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. Choice B is incorrect because it introduces a new sentence. Choice D is incorrect because it uses a less formal tone.