Question

A) NO CHANGE B) society: the 2018 Consumer Financial Literacy Survey C) society, the 2018 Consumer Financial Literacy Survey, D) society; the 2018 Consumer Financial Literacy Survey,

Short answer

The correct punctuation and structure for combining the two statements is option D: "society; the 2018 Consumer Financial Literacy Survey,". The use of a semicolon connects the related but independent clauses, making the sentence clear and complete.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the use of colons and semicolons

Colons are used to introduce a list or explanation, while semicolons are used to connect two related but independent clauses. #Step 2: Evaluate Option A#

Evaluate "NO CHANGE"

Since the original sentence doesn't have any punctuation to separate the two statements, it appears incomplete and might be confusing. The two statements need to be connected with appropriate punctuation, so option A is not the right choice. #Step 3: Evaluate Option B#

Evaluate "society: the 2018 Consumer Financial Literacy Survey"

A colon is used to introduce a list or explanation. In this case, the 2018 Consumer Financial Literacy Survey is not explaining or listing anything related to society, so the use of a colon is incorrect. Therefore, option B is not the right choice. #Step 4: Evaluate Option C#

Evaluate "society, the 2018 Consumer Financial Literacy Survey,"

The use of commas makes this sentence a bit confusing and disjointed. It doesn't clearly connect the two statements, and it appears as if something is missing in the sentence. Therefore, option C is not the right choice. #Step 5: Evaluate Option D#

Evaluate "society; the 2018 Consumer Financial Literacy Survey,"

A semicolon is used to connect two related but independent clauses. In this case, "society" and "the 2018 Consumer Financial Literacy Survey" are related and separate ideas. The use of a semicolon connects them appropriately and makes the sentence clear and complete. Therefore, option D is the correct choice. #Step 6: Final Answer#

Choose the correct option

Based on the analysis and evaluation of all the options, the correct choice is option D: "society; the 2018 Consumer Financial Literacy Survey,".

Key concepts

Colons

Colons are versatile punctuation marks used in writing to introduce various elements. They often act as an invitation to what follows, adding emphasis or explanation. A colon typically indicates that what follows is directly related to the preceding clause.

Colons can be used in several scenarios:

• To introduce a list. For example: "You need to bring the following items: a pen, a notebook, and a calculator." Here, the colon acts as an introducer for the list.


• To introduce a quotation or an example. For instance: "She gave me one piece of advice: "Always follow your dreams."


• To separate two clauses when the second explains or elaborates on the first. For example: "He had only one thing left to do: convince his parents."

However, colons should not be used if the second part does not directly explain or relate closely to the first. Misusing the colon creates confusion, as it may leave the reader expecting a direct answer or explanation that isn’t really there.

Semicolons

Semicolons might seem intimidating at first, but they serve an essential purpose in writing by connecting closely related ideas. The semicolon tends to work as a soft connector in a sentence, stronger than a comma but not as final as a full stop.

Here's when semicolons shine:

• To join two independent clauses without using a conjunction. For example: "She loves to travel; however, she hasn't been abroad in years." Here, the semicolon replaces what could have been a conjunction like "and" or "but."


• Semicolons can also separate items in a list when the items themselves contain commas. For instance: "On our tour, we visited London, England; Paris, France; and Rome, Italy." Here, the semicolons help to clearly separate the different locations.

Semicolons help create clarity in sentences and are ideal for connecting thoughts that are closely related but can stand alone. Using them correctly can add sophistication and nuance to your writing.

Independent Clauses

Understanding independent clauses is crucial for mastering punctuation rules. An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence. It contains a subject (the doer of the action) and a predicate (the action or verb).

Key characteristics of independent clauses include:

• They express a complete thought. For example: "Birds fly." This clause can stand on its own because it has both a subject "Birds" and a verb "fly."


• They are essential for constructing complex and compound sentences, allowing writers to connect ideas effectively. For instance: "The sun was setting; the sky was a deep orange." Here, the semicolon connects two independent clauses that complement each other.

Recognizing and properly utilizing independent clauses can enhance the clarity and effectiveness of your writing. They allow for dynamic sentence structures when combined with appropriate punctuation like periods, semicolons, or conjunctions.