Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A
variables: travel to greater depths
B
variables, travel to greater depths,
C
variables travel to greater depths,
D
variables, travel to greater depths;
Explanation
Correct answer: B.
Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of items in a series. The comma after “variables” is used conventionally to separate the first and second items in the series, and the comma after “depths” is used conventionally to separate the second and third items.
Why the other choices are wrong
Choice A
Choice A is incorrect because a colon can’t be used in this way to separate items in a simple series.
Choice C
Choice C is incorrect because a comma is needed after “variables” to separate the first and second items in the series.
Choice D
Choice D is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to separate items in a simple series.