Question #N753
The team's success in the competition, which was marked by a last-minute goal, showed that they had worked hard in practice.
Which choice provides the best way to join the two sentences in the passage?
A. The team's success in the competition, which was marked by a last-minute goal, showed that they had worked hard in practice,
B. The team's success in the competition, which was marked by a last-minute goal, showed that they had worked hard in practice;
C. The team's success in the competition, which was marked by a last-minute goal, showed that they had worked hard in practice,
D. The team's success in the competition, which was marked by a last-minute goal; showed that they had worked hard in practice.
Correct Answer is: C
The semicolon is used to combine two independent clauses when they are closely related in meaning. However, a comma after an introductory phrase is required. Choice C is the only option that correctly employs the semicolon and comma.