Question #N878

The artist, who is known for her large-scale installations, uses found objects and natural materials to create works that are both beautiful and thought-provoking. Her pieces, which often explore themes of nature, memory, and the human experience, are displayed in museums and galleries around the world.

Which choice best combines the sentences at the underlined portion to create a grammatically correct and stylistically effective sentence?
A. Her pieces, often exploring themes of nature, memory, and the human experience, are displayed in museums and galleries around the world.
B. Her pieces, which often explore themes of nature, memory, and the human experience, are displayed in museums and galleries around the world.
C. Often exploring themes of nature, memory, and the human experience, her pieces are displayed in museums and galleries around the world.
D. Her pieces are often exploring themes of nature, memory, and the human experience, and are displayed in museums and galleries around the world.

Correct Answer is: A

Choice A is the best answer. It combines the sentences correctly, using a comma to separate the introductory phrase “often exploring themes of nature…” from the main clause. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they result in comma splices, which occur when two independent clauses are joined together with only a comma.