Question

A) NO CHANGE B) intact, historical C) intact historical D) intact; and historical

Short answer

The correct option is B) intact, historical, as it uses a comma to properly separate the two adjectives.

Step-by-step solution

Evaluate each option

To determine the correct choice, first evaluate each option (A, B, C, and D), considering whether the punctuation or phrasing makes sense.

Eliminate options with improper punctuation

Option A has no change, which means no punctuation or phrasing is added. This could lead to confusion and improper sentence structure. Option C is similar to option A, and it has no punctuation between "intact" and "historical." This can also lead to confusion.

Focus on the remaining options

The remaining options are B and D. Both options separate "intact" from "historical" with punctuation, making the sentence structure clearer.

Examine the punctuation of the remaining options

Option B uses a comma (,) between "intact" and "historical," which is the standard way to separate two adjectives. Option D uses a semicolon (;) followed by "and" between "intact" and "historical," which is less appropriate, as a semicolon is typically not used to separate adjectives.

Choose the correct option

Based on the evaluation of each option and the appropriate punctuation rules, the correct option is B) intact, historical.

Key concepts

Sentence Structure

When considering sentence structure, especially in standardized tests like the SAT, it's crucial to focus on how words and phrases are arranged to deliver meaning clearly. A good sentence structure enhances readability and comprehension. In our exercise, evaluating each option's sentence structure means making sure that the adjectives "intact" and "historical" are presented in a way that showcases their relationship to the noun they modify.
A well-structured sentence connects ideas logically and without ambiguity. For instance:

• The mansion, intact and historical, was a sight to behold.

The adjectives "intact" and "historical" are clearly linked to the noun "mansion," ensuring that the reader understands these attributes as intrinsic to the noun.

Punctuation Rules

Punctuation marks are the unsung heroes of writing. They help clarify the meaning of sentences and make the text readable. Understanding punctuation rules is crucial, especially when dealing with adjectives.

In our exercise, choosing the right punctuation ('intact, historical') was pivotal. The use of a comma between "intact" and "historical" follows the rule for coordinating adjectives. Coordinating adjectives equally describe a noun and are typically separated by a comma. So, if you could insert the word "and" between them without changing the meaning, a comma is appropriate:

• The plant was a vibrant, lush green.

This comma clarifies for the reader that each adjective independently describes the noun. In this manner, choosing 'intact, historical' ensures clarity and correctness.

Adjective Separation

Adjective separation involves understanding how adjectives are ordered and punctuated to convey clear meaning. In our exercise, the challenge lay in appropriately separating the adjectives "intact" and "historical."

These adjectives should be punctuated correctly to show that they both modify the same noun but do so independently. When adjectives equally describe a noun, they are separated by commas or sometimes conjunctions like "and." If adjectives build on each other, no comma is generally used. For example:

• A small brown puppy yapped excitedly.

Here, "small" modifies "brown puppy" as a unit. Contrast with:

• A cuddly, playful puppy.

This structure clearly separates each adjective's contribution to the noun's description, ensuring the sentence is well understood.