PSAT Writing and Language Question 258: Answer and Explanation

Question: 258

Which choice most effectively combines the two sentences at the underlined portion?

• A. business, and
• B. business;
• C. business
• D. business:

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

Difficulty: Medium

Category: Sentence Structure: Commas, Dashes, and Colons

Getting to the Answer: You must determine the correct punctuation to use between these two independent clauses. Since several of the answer choices are technically correct, evaluate the content of the sentences to determine the relationship between them. The first sentence refers to a "quote," and the second sentence is the actual quote. Since the first sentence introduces the quote, a colon is appropriate, so (D) is correct. (A) and (B) are technically correct ways to join independent clauses, but they are incorrect in this context, in which the first clause introduces the second. (C) results in a run-on.