OpenSAT

Question #N665

The following text is from a novel about a young woman, Clara, who is visiting a friend in the city. Clara’s friend, Sarah, is an artist, and Clara has recently begun trying to paint herself. Clara is impressed by Sarah’s studio, which is filled with paintings and art supplies, but also by the number of plants Sarah has. Clara is particularly struck by one plant, a vibrant hibiscus. "I can’t imagine caring for so many plants," Clara exclaims. "That must be a lot of work." Sarah smiles. "It is, but it’s a very satisfying one. This hibiscus, for example, is a reminder of my mother. She loved flowers."

Which choice most effectively combines the sentences at the underlined portion?

A. It is a very satisfying one, and this hibiscus, for example, is a reminder of my mother; she loved flowers.

B. It is, but it’s a very satisfying one—this hibiscus, for example, is a reminder of my mother, who loved flowers.

C. It is a very satisfying one; for example, this hibiscus is a reminder of my mother, who loved flowers.

D. It is, but it’s a very satisfying one; this hibiscus, for example, is a reminder of my mother and she loved flowers.

Reveal Answer Go Back

Correct Answer is: B

The correct answer is B. This choice uses a dash to create a natural break between the two clauses and adds a comma after the introductory phrase to show that it modifies the rest of the sentence. The semicolon in choice C is incorrect because the sentence before the semicolon isn’t a complete thought. Choice A is incorrect because the comma after the introductory phrase doesn’t correctly show that it modifies the rest of the sentence, and the semicolon after “one” is incorrect because the sentence before the semicolon isn’t a complete thought. Choice D is incorrect because the comma after “one” doesn’t correctly show that it modifies the rest of the sentence, and the conjunction “and” is incorrect because the sentence needs to show that “this hibiscus” is a reminder of the mother, who “loved flowers.”