<li>The fruit fly is often used to study genetic mechanisms,
because it reproduces rapidly scientists can observe
effects of experiments on several generations.
(A) mechanisms, because it reproduces rapidly
(B) mechanisms, since it reproduces rapidly,
(C) mechanisms, since, with its rapid reproduction,
(D) mechanisms; because it reproduces rapidly,
(E) mechanisms; then rapid reproduction allows</li>
</ol>
<p>Can anyone please explain why the answer is C? I was thinking D would also work?</p>
<p>The answer is C. Don't question college board questions, they don't have errors. The problem with d would be "because it reproduces rapidly" modifies scientists because of the semi colon. At least I think my explination is right...Check college board.com where they have free explinations to that test (after you enter your answers)</p>
<p>I'm not sure what the grammatical reason for D being incorrect would be, but it doesn't sound like a correct transition with a semi-colon. It sounds like you would need two sentences in that situation. In fact, I don't think you can use "because" after a semi-colon. At least, I can't think of any situation where you would...</p>
<p>Semicolons in an answer are rare and are mostly found in conjunction with "however."</p>
<p>And for future reference, use (u) and (/u) replacing the parentheses with brackets to make text underlined</p>
<p>"The fruit fly is often used to study genetic mechanisms; because it reproduces rapidly, scientists can observe effects of experiments on several generations."</p>
<p>Not 100% horrible, but by far not the best. Long, awkward, and doesn't properly show relationship between both statements. You want the second part of the sentence to explain the first, as C does, not seem as though it's a separate thought just thrown on the end.</p>
<p>Semi-colons are tricky and rarely used correctly. If any of your prep books have a good explanatory section on mechanics, you might want to brush up a bit.</p>
<p>Also, you technically can use "because" after a semi-colon (though not in a situation like this), but it's always messy and should be avoided. You could potentially write a sentence like "Hannah wanted to go to the beach; because it rained, however, we did not," but that's really pushing it and not attractive at all.</p>
<p>I actually don't like the use of "its" in C, but I can see where they're coming from. I agree with the answer they gave.</p>
<p>C is the one that seems long and awkward to me. </p>
<p>
[quote]
"Hannah wanted to go to the beach; because it rained, however, we did not,"
[/quote]
Even that is incorrect. You don't use commas with 'however'. You use semi colon.</p>
<p>Not in that case. Like I said, a lot of people need to brush up on semi-colon mechanics.</p>
<p>Thanks for helping out guys.</p>
<p>I checked the Q & E and according to the answer guide, I was right about D being the right answer. D is incorrect. Weird, I must have read the plain answer sheet wrong.</p>
<p>Sweet. I was right.</p>
<p>From Collegeboard:</p>
<p>Explanation for Correct Answer D : </p>
<p>Choice (D) is correct. It avoids the error of the original by correctly joining two complete thoughts ("The fruit fly...mechanisms" and "because...generations") with a semicolon.</p>
<p>Explanation for Incorrect Answer A : </p>
<p>Choice (A) involves improper coordination. Two complete thoughts ("The fruit fly...mechanisms" and "because...generations") are joined by only a comma.</p>
<p>Explanation for Incorrect Answer B : </p>
<p>Choice (B) involves improper coordination. Two complete thoughts ("The fruit fly...mechanisms" and "since...generations") are joined by only a comma.</p>
<p>Explanation for Incorrect Answer C : </p>
<p>Choice (C) involves incorrect punctuation. The subordinating work "since" should not be preceded by a comma.</p>
<p>Explanation for Incorrect Answer E : </p>
<p>Choice (E) involves improper phrasing. "Allows" should be followed by "to," not by "can."</p>
<p>btw, that was labeled as a "Hard" question by Collegeboard.</p>
<p>I'm relieved to hear it was D. As a teacher of college writing, I had picked that answer, and was troubled to be told it was incorrect.</p>
<p>BTW, Beginning was correct in using commas around "however" in that example.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I'm relieved to hear it was D
[/quote]
<em>phew</em>! Me too! For a moment there I was feeling like the SAT just got 10 times harder for me!</p>
<p>I, too, am greatly relieved to hear that choice D is correct. For the past day and a half, I have been scratching my head and attempting to figure out how on earth answer C, which seemed to be one of the two worst answers, could possibly be correct. A great weight has now been lifted from my metaphorical Shoulders of Usage. :)</p>