Question #N403
The following sentence is from an essay about the history of the internet: In the early days of the Internet, users could not easily share files because the network lacked a standard method for doing so. However, this situation changed rapidly when the World Wide Web was introduced in 1989, and the ability to share files dramatically increased.
Which choice best rewrites the underlined portion of the sentence to maintain the meaning and flow of the sentence?
A. However, this situation changed rapidly once the World Wide Web was introduced in 1989, and the ability to share files dramatically increased.
B. However, rapidly once the World Wide Web was introduced in 1989, the ability to share files dramatically increased.
C. However, this situation changed rapidly, the World Wide Web was introduced in 1989, and the ability to share files dramatically increased.
D. However, rapidly the World Wide Web was introduced in 1989, and the ability to share files dramatically increased.
Correct Answer is: A
Choice A is the best answer. It maintains the meaning of the original sentence by correctly using a comma to separate the introductory phrase "However, this situation changed rapidly" from the rest of the sentence. Choice B is incorrect because it creates a comma splice. Choice C is incorrect because it creates a run-on sentence. Choice D is incorrect because it creates a run-on sentence.