Identify the sentence that correctly employs the semicolon to link closely related independent clauses:

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: D. The laboratory equipment arrived yesterday; however, the technicians have not completed installation

  1. Step 1: When two independent clauses are joined by a conjunctive adverb (however, therefore), a semicolon precedes the adverb and a comma follows it.
  2. Step 2: 'Clause 1; however, Clause 2' is the standard punctuation pattern.
Answer
The laboratory equipment arrived yesterday; however, the technicians have not completed installation.
Why not the others: Option 2 places semicolon after adverb; Option 3 incorrectly couples semicolon with coordinating conjunction 'and'; Option 4 uses semicolon before a dependent relative clause.

Practise more Academic Reading and Rhetorical Analysis.

Free questions with an explanation for every one, and full timed Sultan Qaboos University Foundation & Aptitude Test mock tests.