18. Which is the best way to revise and combine sentences 3 and 4 (reproduced below)? Lorca was the oldest son of a wealthy landowner. He studied literature and law at the University of Granada before turning to writing full-time.
Answer: B
The oldest son of a wealthy landowner, Lorca studied literature and law at the University of Granada before turning to writing full-time.
This revision effectively combines the two sentences into a single, coherent statement that maintains clarity and flow. It emphasizes Lorca's background and education in a concise manner.
A) Lorca was the oldest son of a wealthy landowner, studied literature and law at the University of Granada before turning to writing full-time.
This option incorrectly uses a comma to link two independent clauses, which results in a grammatical error known as a comma splice. It also lacks the necessary conjunction or transition that would create a smoother connection between Lorca's identity and his educational pursuits.
B) The oldest son of a wealthy landowner, Lorca studied literature and law at the University of Granada before turning to writing full-time.
This is the correct revision as it transforms the information into a participial phrase, effectively linking Lorca's background to his academic achievements. It reads smoothly and maintains the chronological order of events clearly.
C) Lorca, the oldest son of a wealthy landowner, studying literature and law at the University of Granada before turning to writing full-time.
This option is grammatically incorrect as it creates a fragment by using "studying" without a corresponding verb for the main clause. It does not effectively convey a complete thought, resulting in confusion.
D) The oldest son of a wealthy landowner who studied literature and law at the University of Granada, Lorca then turning to writing full-time.
This option is also incorrect due to its awkward construction. The phrase "Lorca then turning to writing full-time" lacks a main verb, making it a fragment rather than a complete sentence. This disrupts the flow and clarity of the information.
Conclusion
Option B stands out as the best revision because it successfully combines the two original sentences into a grammatically correct and fluid statement that highlights Lorca's identity and educational background. The other options either contain grammatical errors or fail to produce a complete and coherent thought, thus rendering them less effective in conveying the intended information.