In 2010, archaeologist Noel Hidalgo Tan was visiting the twelfth-century temple of Angkor Wat in Cambodia when he noticed markings of red paint on the temple ______ the help of digital imaging techniques, he discovered the markings to be part of an elaborate mural containing over 200 paintings.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Explanation
Context: "...he noticed markings of red paint on the temple walls. With the help of digital imaging techniques, he discovered the markings to be part of an elaborate mural containing over 200 paintings." Period ends first sentence; "With" begins new sentence.
Answer: D) walls. With
Why? Period after "walls" ends the first sentence. "With the help of digital imaging techniques, he discovered the markings to be part of an elaborate mural containing over 200 paintings" is a new complete sentence.
Traps:
- A) "walls, with" → comma before "With the help of digital imaging techniques" creates a comma splice
- B) "walls with" → run-on
- C) "walls so with" → "so with" is an awkward, incorrect construction