Question #N818
The musician’s first solo album, _The Light Within_, was released in 2009 and received critical acclaim. The album's title track, _The Light Within_, won several awards for its lyrical depth and innovative instrumentation. The musician, a skilled guitarist and singer-songwriter, quickly gained popularity for their unique blend of folk, rock, and blues music.
Which choice best combines the underlined sentences at the beginning of the passage into a single sentence?
A. The musician’s first solo album, _The Light Within_, was released in 2009 and received critical acclaim, and the album's title track, _The Light Within_, won several awards for its lyrical depth and innovative instrumentation.
B. The musician’s first solo album, _The Light Within_, was released in 2009, receiving critical acclaim, and the album's title track, _The Light Within_, won several awards for its lyrical depth and innovative instrumentation.
C. The musician’s first solo album, _The Light Within_, was released in 2009, receiving critical acclaim; the album's title track, _The Light Within_, won several awards for its lyrical depth and innovative instrumentation.
D. The musician’s first solo album, _The Light Within_, which was released in 2009 and received critical acclaim, the album's title track, _The Light Within_, won several awards for its lyrical depth and innovative instrumentation.
Correct Answer is: B
Choice B combines the sentences most effectively by using a comma to separate the two independent clauses and a participial phrase to show that the release of the album and the critical acclaim it received happened at the same time. The other choices either create run-on sentences, comma splices, or awkward phrasing.