Question #N558
The process of making a cup of tea involves the following steps: first, bring water to a boil. Then, add tea leaves to the boiling water. After steeping for a few minutes, remove the tea leaves. Finally, add milk or sugar, if desired, and enjoy the tea.
Which choice best combines the sentences above into one grammatically correct sentence?
A. First, bring water to a boil; then, add tea leaves to the boiling water, after steeping for a few minutes, remove the tea leaves, finally, add milk or sugar, if desired, and enjoy the tea.
B. First, bring water to a boil, then add tea leaves to the boiling water, after steeping for a few minutes, remove the tea leaves, finally add milk or sugar, if desired, and enjoy the tea.
C. First, bring water to a boil, then add tea leaves to the boiling water, after steeping for a few minutes, remove the tea leaves, and finally add milk or sugar, if desired, and enjoy the tea.
D. First, bring water to a boil, then add tea leaves to the boiling water, after steeping for a few minutes, remove the tea leaves, and finally add milk or sugar, if desired, and enjoy the tea.
Correct Answer is: C
Choice C is the best answer because it uses a comma after the introductory phrase and combines all the steps of the process into one sentence with the help of commas and a conjunction. Choices A and B are incorrect because they incorrectly use semicolons in place of commas. Choice D is incorrect because it does not use a conjunction to connect the steps of the process, resulting in a comma splice.