Question #N17

A study, published in the journal Nature, found that the brains of people who speak more than one language are different from those who speak only one language. The researchers concluded that bilingualism can protect against age-related cognitive decline and may even improve cognitive function. In the journal, the authors of the study wrote that "The brain’s ability to manage multiple languages appears to provide a cognitive reserve, which protects the brain from the damaging effects of age-related decline."

Which of the following is the most effective way to correct the underlined portion of this passage?
A. The brains ability to manage multiple languages appears to provide a cognitive reserve, which protects the brain from the damaging effects of age-related decline.
B. The brain’s ability to manage multiple languages, appears to provide a cognitive reserve, which protects the brain from the damaging effects of age-related decline.
C. The brain’s ability to manage multiple languages appears, to provide a cognitive reserve, which protects the brain from the damaging effects of age-related decline.
D. The brain’s ability to manage multiple languages appears to provide a cognitive reserve which protects the brain from the damaging effects of age-related decline.

Correct Answer is: D

The most effective way to correct the underlined portion of the passage is to remove the comma after "reserve" because there is no need for punctuation between the two independent clauses in the sentence. The sentence is grammatically correct without the comma, and the meaning of the sentence is not changed.