Question

growing as large as three meters in diameter, the leaves of the giant amazonian waterlily feature a complex network of radiating veins that provide structural _____ in thickness from the center to the edges, these veins allow the leaves to maintain their large size and buoyancy with minimal material, optimizing light capture and photosynthesis. which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of standard english? a. support. decreasing b. support decreasing c. support, while decreasing d. support, decreasing

Explanation:

• Option A: The comma is missing before "Decreasing", which is incorrect in terms of punctuation rules for present - participle phrases used as adverbials.
• Option B: The lack of a comma before "decreasing" is wrong for the same reason as Option A.
• Option C: The use of "while" is unnecessary. The present - participle phrase "decreasing..." already functions well as an adverbial to show the result or additional information about how the veins work.
• Option D: The comma before "decreasing" is correct. The present - participle phrase "decreasing..." is used as an adverbial to explain how the veins (which provide structural support) achieve the goal of maintaining size and buoyancy with minimal material.

Answer:

D. support, decreasing