In 1727, dramatist Lewis Theobald presented a new play, Double Falsehood, at a London theater. Theobald claimed that his drama was based on a little-known play by William Shakespeare, Cardenio. Many, including poet Alexander Pope, were _____ historians have determined that Shakespeare’s company did perform a play called Cardenio in 1613.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Explanation
Context: "Many, including poet Alexander Pope, were skeptical, but historians have determined that Shakespeare's company did perform a play called Cardenio in 1613." Two independent clauses joined by comma + "but."
Answer: B) skeptical, but
Why? Comma + "but" correctly joins the two contrasting independent clauses: "Many...were skeptical" + "historians have determined that Shakespeare's company did perform a play called Cardenio in 1613."
Traps:
- A) "skeptical but" → missing comma before "but" when joining two independent clauses; creates a potential run-on
- C) "skeptical," → comma alone = comma splice
- D) "skeptical" → run-on