The foxtail pine (Pinus balfouriana) known as RCR 1, located in the United States, is one of the oldest known trees in the world, at 1,666 years old. With almost two millennia of climate data in its tree ______ single tree like this, claims dendrochronologist Valerie Trouet, can tell the history of the world.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Explanation
Context: The sentence opens with the introductory prepositional phrase "With almost two millennia of climate data in its tree rings," which must be set off by a comma before the main clause "a single tree like this, claims dendrochronologist Valerie Trouet, can tell the history of the world."
Answer: B) rings, a
Why? Comma after "rings" separates the introductory prepositional phrase "With almost two millennia of climate data in its tree rings" from the main clause "a single tree like this...can tell the history of the world."
Traps:
- A) "rings and a" → "and" changes the structure
- C) "rings. A" → period creates a fragment
- D) "rings; a" → semicolon after a prepositional phrase is incorrect