SAT OwlAlthough the Greek scholar Eratosthenes lived more than 2,200 years ______ he estimated Earth's circumference with surprising accuracy by comparing the angles of shadows in two Egyptian cities.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
ago;
ago:
ago,
ago
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C
"Although ... ago" is an introductory dependent clause, and "he estimated..." is the main clause. A comma is the standard way to separate an introductory dependent clause from the main clause. A semicolon or colon must follow an independent clause, which the "although" clause is not.
Choice A uses a semicolon, but the clause before it begins with "although" and cannot stand alone as a sentence.
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