SAT WRITING QUESTION HELP

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1

I’m really confused by this question because I thought the answer is technically a comma splice. Doesn’t the second clause have to be dependent to use “because”.

It is hard for me to imagine that 100 years ago this area was undeveloped swamp *land, but it has since become the sit of high-rise apartment buildings. *
A. Same
B. (Correct) land, because it is now the site of high-rise apartment buildings
C. Land, and has since become high-rise apartment buildings
D. Land that has since become the sit of high-rise apartment buildings
E. Land, since becoming the high-rise apartment buildings in the site

Can someone explain why it’s b?

2

A comma splice is two independent clauses joined by a comma.

One fix for a comma splice is to add a conjunction like “but” or “because.” Because makes the clause dependent, so it’s a perfectly formed sentence.

(You could quibble about the comma, but it’s a typical addition when a sentence gets long.)