SAT Reading & Writing · Boundaries
The vaccine trial enrolled volunteers from twelve countries ______ a scale that allowed researchers to detect rare side effects invisible…
The vaccine trial enrolled volunteers from twelve countries ______ a scale that allowed researchers to detect rare side effects invisible to smaller studies.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Answer and explanation
Answer: B: :
"A scale that allowed researchers to detect rare side effects invisible to smaller studies" explains the significance of enrolling volunteers from twelve countries, functioning as an elaboration of the preceding complete statement, exactly the job a colon performs. A comma would treat this substantial elaboration as a minor aside. "But" incorrectly suggests a contrast that isn't present. "Or" doesn't fit a sentence explaining a single consequence instead of presenting alternatives.
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