Final answer:
The correct option for punctuating the sentence fragment provided is option 3: 'Grandma cooked without'. This option turns the fragment into a complete sentence by introducing a subject, 'Grandma'. Proper punctuation is crucial for clear and understandable writing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'Cooking without written recipes, conjuring complex dishes with the same ease with which a magician pulls a rabbit from a hat?' can be corrected by choosing one of the provided options for correct punctuation. The best option that turns this fragment into a complete sentence is option 3: 'Grandma cooked without', which clarifies that Grandma is the subject performing the action. When answering questions about sentence structure, it is important to ensure that the sentence has a clear subject and verb to be grammatically correct.
Let's review some of the examples provided:
- Example 1: Insert a comma after 'birthday' to separate the two independent clauses. Corrected: 'I gave my mother a box of chocolates for her birthday, and she was pleased.'
- Example 2: No comma is needed. The semicolon is correctly used to connect two independent clauses. Corrected: 'Susan was sitting off in the corner; without a care in the world.'
- Example 3: Insert a comma after 'lemonade' to separate the independent clauses, and use a semicolon or period instead of a comma to separate the clauses properly. Corrected: 'When they were kids, they made homemade lemonade; they sold it for two bucks a pop.'
Understanding punctuation is essential as it helps to clarify the meaning of sentences and ensure that writing is clear and understandable.