OpenSAT

Question #N835

The study of the human brain is complex, involving many different disciplines, and requiring a rigorous understanding of various research methods. One of the most important advances in the field of neuroscience is the development of techniques that allow researchers to study the activity of the brain in real time. Functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI, is one such technique, which uses magnetic fields to detect changes in blood flow in the brain. By measuring blood flow, fMRI can be used to identify areas of the brain that are active during different tasks or mental states.

Which choice provides the best way to combine the last two sentences in the paragraph to create a grammatically correct and stylistically effective sentence?

A. Functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI, is one such technique, which uses magnetic fields to detect changes in blood flow in the brain, and by measuring blood flow, fMRI can be used to identify areas of the brain that are active during different tasks or mental states.

B. Functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI, is one such technique, which uses magnetic fields to detect changes in blood flow in the brain and by measuring blood flow, fMRI can be used to identify areas of the brain that are active during different tasks or mental states.

C. Functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI, is one such technique, which uses magnetic fields to detect changes in blood flow in the brain; by measuring blood flow, fMRI can be used to identify areas of the brain that are active during different tasks or mental states.

D. Functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI, is one such technique, which uses magnetic fields to detect changes in blood flow in the brain; measuring blood flow, fMRI can be used to identify areas of the brain that are active during different tasks or mental states.

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Correct Answer is: D

Choice D combines the two sentences in the paragraph in a way that creates a grammatically correct and stylistically effective sentence. The semicolon is used correctly to separate two closely related independent clauses, and the second clause is reduced to a participial phrase to avoid unnecessary repetition of the word "by." The other choices either create a comma splice or use a conjunction incorrectly.