Question

the first computerized spreadsheet, dan bricklins visicalc, improved financial recordkeeping not only by providing users with an easy means of adjusting data in spreadsheets but also by automatically updating all calculations that were dependent on these ______ to visicalcs release, changing a paper spreadsheet often required redoing the entire sheet by hand, a process that could take days.
which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of standard english?
choose 1 answer:
a adjustments prior
b adjustments, prior
c adjustments. prior
d adjustments and prior

Explanation:

The sentence needs to connect the idea of dependent calculations to the time before VisiCalc's release. Option A uses "adjustments prior" which creates a smooth, grammatically correct phrase: "all calculations that were dependent on these adjustments prior to VisiCalc's release". A comma (Option B) is unnecessary here, as "prior to" is a prepositional phrase that directly follows the noun it modifies. Option C incorrectly uses a period, splitting the sentence into an incomplete clause. Option D uses "and prior" which is semantically and grammatically incorrect, as it does not logically connect the parts of the sentence.

Answer:

A. adjustments prior