Enacted in 1944, Iceland's constitution, according to legal _____ contains one of the six constitutional features that enhance judicial independence. Explicit provisions for judicial Independence. Melton and Ginsburg's research explains, are more likely to be found in constitutions enacted after 1985.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Explanation
Context: The sentence identifies legal researchers by name: "legal researchers James Melton and Tom Ginsburg." After the names, the main clause continues with "contains one of the six constitutional features..." The names are an essential appositive identifying which researchers, and a comma is needed after to set off the continued main clause.
Answer: C) researchers James Melton and Tom Ginsburg,
Why? "James Melton and Tom Ginsburg" are restrictive identifiers of "legal researchers," so no comma before the names. However, after the names, a comma is needed because the main clause ("contains one of the six constitutional features") resumes after the parenthetical attribution.
Traps:
- A) researchers James Melton and Tom Ginsburg → missing the closing comma after the names; the main clause resumes and needs separation
- B) researchers, James Melton and Tom Ginsburg → comma before the names incorrectly treats them as a nonessential insert
- D) Researchers, James Melton and Tom Ginsburg, → capitalizing "Researchers" is wrong mid-sentence; also adds an incorrect opening comma