Explanation
Correct answer: A.
Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of punctuation within a sentence. This choice correctly uses a comma to separate the supplementary adverb “respectively” from the rest of the supplementary element introduced by the dash after “entertainment” (“the Emmy...awards”), and it uses a semicolon to join the first main clause (“In...respectively”) and the second main clause (“the achievement...EGOT’”).
Why the other choices are wrong
Choice B
Choice B is incorrect because placing the semicolon after “awards” illogically separates the supplementary adverb “respectively” from the supplementary element it belongs to (“the Emmy...awards”) and attaches it to the following main clause (“the achievement...EGOT’”), resulting in a confusing and ungrammatical sentence.
Choice C
Choice C is incorrect. The dash after “respectively” pairs with the dash after “entertainment” to close the supplementary element (“the Emmy...respectively”), so it can’t also serve to mark the boundary between the two main clauses (“In...respectively” and “the achievement...EGOT’”). The result fails to mark that boundary with appropriate punctuation.
Choice D
Choice D is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. Without a conjunction following it, the comma after “respectively” can’t be used in this way to join the first main clause (“In...respectively”) and the second main clause (“the achievement...EGOT’”).