Question

Which answer best punctuates the following sentence for clarity:

Only one course was open to us surrender, said the ex-major, and we did.
O
O Only one course was open to us: "Surrender," said the ex-major, and we did.
Only one course was open to us "surrender," said the ex-major, and we did.
"Only one course was open to us surrender," said the ex-major, and we did.
Only one course was open to us surrender, said the ex-major, and we did.
O

Answer 1

The answer that best punctuates the given sentence for clarity is: Only one course was open to us: "Surrender," said the ex-major, and we did.

Step-by-step explanation:

The answer that best punctuates the given sentence for clarity is: Only one course was open to us: "Surrender," said the ex-major, and we did.

Punctuating the sentence with a colon after "us" helps to clearly introduce the direct quotation from the ex-major. Quotation marks are used to indicate the words spoken by the ex-major, and the sentence is properly ended with a period.

By using proper punctuation, the sentence is structured in a way that provides clarity and readability, making it easier for readers to understand the meaning conveyed by the ex-major's statement.

Learn more about Punctuation in English sentences