Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A
waterways and the fact that,
B
waterways, and the fact that,
C
waterways, and, the fact that
D
waterways and the fact that
Explanation
Correct answer: D.
Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation within two coordinated noun phrases. When, as in this case, a noun phrase (“the country’s millions of miles of waterways”) is coordinated with another noun phrase (“the fact”) followed by an integrated relative clause (“that the volume...time”), no punctuation is needed.
Why the other choices are wrong
Choice A
Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed.
Choice B
Choice B is incorrect because no punctuation is needed.
Choice C
Choice C is incorrect because no punctuation is needed.