27. I got my parrot Rosie last year, she is green and yellow and can talk. The sentence contains which of the following errors?
Answer: B
The sentence contains a comma splice.
The sentence has a comma splice because it improperly connects two independent clauses with a comma without a coordinating conjunction. This grammatical error disrupts the flow and clarity of the sentence.
A) Misplaced modifier
A misplaced modifier occurs when a descriptive word or phrase is placed too far from the word it modifies, leading to confusion. In this sentence, the modifiers "green and yellow" directly describe "parrot Rosie," and their placement is correct, indicating this option is not applicable.
B) Comma splice
The sentence exhibits a comma splice as it incorrectly joins two independent clauses with just a comma. For example, if the sentence were structured as "I got my parrot Rosie last year, she is green and yellow and can talk," it fails to use a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon, confirming that this is the correct identification of the error.
C) Unclear pronoun reference
An unclear pronoun reference arises when a pronoun does not clearly indicate which noun it refers to. In this case, the pronouns used are clear in their reference to "parrot Rosie," so this option does not describe an error present in the sentence.
D) Inconsistent verb tense
Inconsistent verb tense refers to errors where verb forms are not used consistently within the same sentence or passage. The sentence maintains a consistent past tense ("I got") and present tense ("can talk"), so this option does not apply to the identified error.
Conclusion
The identification of a comma splice as the error in the sentence is accurate, as it improperly joins two independent clauses. The other options fail to recognize any grammatical issues present, confirming that "B" is the only correct answer. Understanding and correcting comma splices is essential for clear and effective communication in writing.