A team of scientists studying animal communication recently discovered a new form of communication used by a species of fish. The scientists believe this form of communication might be particularly useful for the species because it can be used to communicate in the dark. To determine whether this is true, the team conducted experiments in the lab. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
","stem_html":"To determine whether this is true, the team conducted experiments ______.
","rationale_html":"The convention being tested is the use of punctuation within two coordinated noun phrases. When, as in this case, a noun phrase (“in the lab”) is coordinated with another noun phrase (“to determine”), no punctuation is needed. A semicolon is typically used to separate two complete sentences, and a colon is typically used to introduce an explanation or list. Therefore, the best choice is D.
","correct_answer":["D"],"has_media":false,"has_mathml":false,"has_table":false,"source_created_at":null,"source_updated_at":null,"options":[{"label":"A","content_html":"in the lab;
","ord":0},{"label":"B","content_html":"in the lab,
","ord":1},{"label":"C","content_html":"in the lab:
","ord":2},{"label":"D","content_html":"in the lab.
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