OpenSAT

Question #N45

The following sentence contains an error in punctuation. The sentence is: "As a young girl, Margaret was a precocious reader, voraciously devouring books on history, science, and literature— however, she preferred to read in secret, hiding away in quiet corners, so as to not be disturbed." Which of the following is the best way to correct the error in the sentence?

Which of the following is the best way to correct the error in the sentence?

A. As a young girl, Margaret was a precocious reader, voraciously devouring books on history, science, and literature; however, she preferred to read in secret, hiding away in quiet corners, so as to not be disturbed.

B. As a young girl, Margaret was a precocious reader, voraciously devouring books on history, science, and literature, however, she preferred to read in secret, hiding away in quiet corners, so as to not be disturbed.

C. As a young girl, Margaret was a precocious reader, voraciously devouring books on history, science, and literature, however, she preferred to read in secret, hiding away in quiet corners, so as to not be disturbed.

D. As a young girl, Margaret was a precocious reader, voraciously devouring books on history, science, and literature—however, she preferred to read in secret, hiding away in quiet corners, so as to not be disturbed.

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Correct Answer is: D

The sentence contains a comma splice. A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined together with only a comma. To correct the comma splice, the sentence should be separated by a semicolon or a conjunction. In this case, the use of a semicolon before "however" creates two independent clauses that are grammatically correct. Choice A is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a comma splice.