Question #N81
The invention of the printing press in the 15th century was a momentous event, forever changing the way people communicated and accessed information. Before the printing press, books were painstakingly copied by hand, making them rare and expensive. But with the advent of movable type, books could be produced quickly and cheaply, making knowledge more widely available. The impact of the printing press was profound, ushering in a new era of literacy and intellectual inquiry.
Which choice most effectively combines the sentences at the underlined portion?
A. But with the advent of movable type, books could be produced quickly and cheaply; making knowledge more widely available.
B. But, with the advent of movable type, books could be produced quickly and cheaply, making knowledge more widely available.
C. But with the advent of movable type, books could be produced quickly and cheaply, and making knowledge more widely available.
D. But with the advent of movable type, books could be produced quickly and cheaply making knowledge more widely available.
Correct Answer is: D
The best way to combine these sentences is to use a comma after “cheaply” to separate the two independent clauses. There is no need for a semicolon or a conjunction because the two sentences are not closely related in meaning or structure.