Question

repair dependent clause fragments
for the sentences below, choose the revision that corrects the dependent clause fragments by attaching them to a sentence or by eliminating or replacing the subordinating word.
egypt added gold objects to its lengthy list of exports. after its artisans began to work the precious metal in about 4000 bce.
multiple choice

• egypt added gold objects to its lengthy list of exports after its artisans began to work the precious metal in about 4000 bce.
• egypt added gold objects to its lengthy list of exports its artisans began to work the precious metal in about 4000 bce.
• egypt added gold objects to its lengthy list of exports; after its artisans began to work the precious metal in about 4000 bce.
• egypt added gold objects to its lengthy list of exports. since its artisans began to work the precious metal in about 4000 bce.

Explanation:

The original text has a dependent clause fragment ("After its artisans began to work the precious metal in about 4000 BCE") that needs to be attached to the independent clause correctly. The first option fixes the fragment by removing the period and connecting the dependent clause directly to the independent clause with the subordinating conjunction "after," creating a grammatically complete single sentence. The second option is a run-on sentence, the third incorrectly uses a semicolon with a subordinating conjunction, and the fourth replaces "after" with "since" which changes the logical time relationship and still leaves two separate sentences where the second is a dependent clause fragment.

Answer:

A. Egypt added gold objects to its lengthy list of exports after its artisans began to work the precious metal in about 4000 BCE.