17. Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 2? Its first bike lane- and the country's first, was built in 1894, along Brooklyn's Ocean Parkway.
Answer: B
Its first bike lane was built in 1894, along Brooklyn's Ocean Parkway.
The best version of the underlined portion is simply "first" without any punctuation. This option correctly conveys the intended meaning without introducing unnecessary punctuation that could disrupt the flow of the sentence.
A) (as it is now)
This option retains the original punctuation, which includes an unnecessary dash and comma. The dash is not appropriate here, as it does not serve a grammatical purpose and can confuse readers about the relationship between the clauses.
B) first
This option is the most concise and accurate, providing a clear statement that flows well within the context of the sentence. It eliminates any extraneous punctuation that could detract from the clarity of the information being presented.
C) first:
Using a colon in this context is incorrect, as it suggests that additional information or a list will follow, which is not the case here. The sentence does not require such punctuation and would lead to confusion regarding its structure.
D) first-
This option improperly uses a dash, which is unnecessary in this context. A dash is typically used for emphasis or to indicate a break in thought, neither of which applies here.
Conclusion
The correct answer, "first," effectively simplifies the sentence while maintaining its clarity and meaning. All other options either introduce unnecessary punctuation or disrupt the flow of the sentence, making them less suitable for the context. Thus, option B stands out as the best choice.