Question

read the sentence
digestion is divided into four parts, ingestion, digestion, absorption, and elimination.

which revision is necessary?
add a colon after \divided\
add a colon after \is\
remove the comma after \absorption\
change the comma after \parts\ to a colon

Explanation:

Analyze the sentence structure

Using the Colon Rules and Punctuation with Lists knowledge points

The sentence is: "Digestion is divided into four parts, ingestion, digestion, absorption, and elimination."
The clause "Digestion is divided into four parts" is an independent clause that introduces a list of four items.

Evaluate colon placement rules

Using the Colon Rules knowledge point

A colon should be used to introduce a list only after a complete independent clause.
Placing a colon after "parts" correctly separates the independent clause from the list of items that explains it.

Assess the given options

Using the Punctuation with Lists knowledge point

• "add a colon after 'divided'": Incorrect, as "Digestion is divided" is not a complete independent clause.
• "add a colon after 'is'": Incorrect, as "Digestion is" is not a complete independent clause.
• "remove the comma after 'absorption'": Incorrect, as this would remove the serial (Oxford) comma, which is grammatically correct here.
• "change the comma after 'parts' to a colon": Correct, as it properly introduces the list after the independent clause.

Answer:

• add a colon after "divided"
• add a colon after "is"
• remove the comma after "absorption"
• change the comma after "parts" to a colon (Correct answer)