Recent analysis of 7066 Nessus—an outer solar system object orbiting the Sun between Saturn and Neptune—has determined its color to be red, suggesting a rocky composition. Such interpretations are ultimately ____ the object's red coloration may be an incidental effect of radiation, solar wind, or collisions with other objects rather than evidence of its physical makeup.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Explanation
Context: The sentence reads "Such interpretations are ultimately _____ the object's red coloration may be an incidental effect of radiation, solar wind, or collisions with other objects rather than evidence of its physical makeup." This joins two independent clauses: "Such interpretations are ultimately speculative, though" and "the object's red coloration may be an incidental effect...," where "though" is a parenthetical adverb needing a comma before it and a semicolon to separate the two clauses.
Answer: A) speculative, though;
Why? Same rule: comma before "though" + semicolon after it.
Traps:
- B) "speculative; though," → reversed from correct
- C) "speculative, though," → comma after "though" = comma splice
- D) "speculative, though" → without semicolon, creates comma splice