sat suite question viewer
Horsepower is a unit of measurement used to determine how much power a vehicle produces. The measurement is based on how much and how quickly weight can be blank one unit of mechanical horsepower is equivalent to the amount of power it takes to lift 550 pounds one foot off the ground in one second.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Explanation
Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of punctuation within a sentence. This choice uses a semicolon in a conventional way to join the first main clause ("The measurement...moved") and the second main clause ("for example...second").
Choice A is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. Without a coordinating conjunction, a comma can’t be used in this way to join the two main clauses ("The measurement…moved" and "for example…second"). Choice B is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. Without a conjunction following it, a comma can’t be used in this way to join the two main clauses ("The measurement…moved" and "one unit…second"). Choice D is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The two main clauses ("The measurement…moved" and "one unit…second") are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction.