Question

Which sentence is correct? (4 points)

* The scientist said there is only one thing to be done: to save our river "Stop polluting the groundwater with fertilizers."
*The scientist said there is only one thing to be done to save our river: "Stop polluting the groundwater with fertilizers."
*The scientist said: there is only one thing to be done to save our river "Stop polluting the groundwater with fertilizers."
*The scientist said there is only one thing: to be done to save our river, "Stop polluting the groundwater with fertilizers."

Answer 1

The second sentence is correct, since the colon is explaining what is before it, so "Stop polluting the groundwater with fertilizers." is 'the only one thing to be done'.

Answer 2

Answer: The scientist said there is only one thing to be done to save our river: "Stop polluting the groundwater with fertilizers."

Step-by-step explanation: The verb "say" and the presence of a colon imply that what is literally said by the subject will start right after the colon. In the third example, the colon placing could have been right if the quotation marks had started at "there is only..."