Question #N1408

In her poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," T.S. Eliot uses a distinctive rhythm and rhyme scheme to create a sense of alienation and uncertainty. The poem’s speaker, an unnamed man, is overwhelmed by the complexity of modern life. He feels isolated and insecure, and he is afraid to take risks.

Which of the following choices provides the best punctuation to complete the sentence above?
A. He feels isolated and insecure, and he is afraid to take risks.
B. He feels isolated and insecure and he is afraid to take risks.
C. He feels isolated and insecure, and, he is afraid to take risks.
D. He feels isolated and insecure, and; he is afraid to take risks.

Correct Answer is: A

The sentence is a complex sentence with two independent clauses connected by a coordinating conjunction. The correct punctuation is a comma after the first independent clause, followed by a comma after the coordinating conjunction, and then no punctuation after the second independent clause.