Question

bicycles are, by far, the most popular type of mechanical transportation. almost 50% of households across the globe have a ______ more than those with cars. in a given year, chinas production of bicycles outstrips the entire worlds production of automobiles. which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of standard english? ① bicycle, far ② bicycle; far ③ bicycle. far ④ bicycle, this is

Explanation:

• Option A: “bicycle, far” is incorrect. A comma is not used to connect two independent clauses without a conjunction.
• Option B: “bicycle; far” is incorrect. A semicolon is used to connect two independent clauses, but “far more than those with cars” is not an independent clause.
• Option C: “bicycle. Far” is correct. The first sentence “Almost 50% of households across the globe have a bicycle.” is a complete sentence. “Far more than those with cars” correctly modifies the previous statement.
• Option D: “bicycle, this is” is incorrect. A comma - splice error occurs when two independent clauses “Almost 50% of households across the globe have a bicycle.” and “This is more than those with cars.” are joined only by a comma.

Answer:

C. bicycle. Far