14. Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 2 (reproduced below)? Its first bike lane - and the country's first, was built in 1894, along Brooklyn's Ocean Parkway.
Answer: D
The best version of the underlined portion is "first -"
Using "first -" effectively connects the two phrases, maintaining clarity and flow within the sentence. The dash indicates an interruption that leads to additional information, which is appropriate in this context.
A) (as it is now)
This option is incorrect because the original phrasing lacks proper punctuation. The use of commas before and after "and the country's first" creates an awkward pause that disrupts the sentence's flow, making it less effective in conveying the intended information.
B) first
Choosing "first" on its own is incorrect as it fails to provide the necessary connection to the additional information about the bike lane being the first in the country. It removes the contextual link, resulting in a fragmented sentence that lacks clarity.
C) first:
The use of a colon in this option is inappropriate as it suggests that what follows is a list or explanation, which does not align with the structure of the original sentence. The colon would imply that a direct elaboration is about to follow, which is not the case here.
D) first -
This option is correct as the dash effectively serves to connect the two ideas while also signaling an interruption for additional information. It maintains the flow of the sentence and clarifies that the bike lane is both the first in New York City and the first in the country.
Conclusion
The correct answer "first -" provides the necessary punctuation to enhance clarity and flow within the sentence, effectively linking the two pieces of information. The other options fail to maintain the sentence's coherence, either through incorrect punctuation or by lacking vital connections, which diminishes their effectiveness.