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Question #N495

The following text is adapted from a news article about the latest discoveries in the field of astronomy. The discovery of a planet that is the size of Jupiter, but orbits its star in just 8.5 days, has caused astronomers to rethink what is possible, and the findings have been described as “a paradigm shift” in the field. The planet, which has been given the designation GJ 3470b, has a mass that is about 70% of Jupiter’s, but it orbits its star at a distance of only 1% of the distance between Jupiter and the Sun. As a result of its close proximity to its star, GJ 3470b is estimated to have a surface temperature of more than 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit. The most surprising aspect of the discovery, however, is the planet’s rapid orbital speed, which can only be explained by its proximity to its host star.

Which choice provides the best way to combine the second and third sentences in the passage so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

A. The planet, which has been given the designation GJ 3470b, has a mass that is about 70% of Jupiter’s, but it orbits its star at a distance of only 1% of the distance between Jupiter and the Sun, and as a result of its close proximity to its star, GJ 3470b is estimated to have a surface temperature of more than 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit.

B. The planet, which has been given the designation GJ 3470b, has a mass that is about 70% of Jupiter’s, but it orbits its star at a distance of only 1% of the distance between Jupiter and the Sun; as a result of its close proximity to its star, GJ 3470b is estimated to have a surface temperature of more than 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit.

C. The planet, which has been given the designation GJ 3470b, has a mass that is about 70% of Jupiter’s, but it orbits its star at a distance of only 1% of the distance between Jupiter and the Sun; as a result, GJ 3470b is estimated to have a surface temperature of more than 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit.

D. The planet, which has been given the designation GJ 3470b, has a mass that is about 70% of Jupiter’s, but it orbits its star at a distance of only 1% of the distance between Jupiter and the Sun, as a result, GJ 3470b is estimated to have a surface temperature of more than 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Correct Answer is: C

Choice C is correct because it uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses that are closely related. The semicolon is the best choice because the two clauses are long and contain internal punctuation; a comma would create a comma splice. Choice A is incorrect because a comma splice results from joining two independent clauses with a comma. Choice B is incorrect because a semicolon is not used correctly to separate two sentences. Choice D is incorrect because a comma is not used correctly to separate two sentences.