while and whereas

jessica_chen199

I was wrong about this question. Try it.

According to findings derived from functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the area of the brain in which a second or third language is stored depends on the age of the language learner; [size=12.800000190734863px]whereas each language occupies a distinct area of the brain in an adult learner, language areas overlap in a young child.

A.        whereas each language occupies a distinct area of the brain in an adult learner,
B.        whereas for adults each language occupies a distinct area of the brain and
C.        each language occupies a distinct area of the brain when they are learned by an adult, while
D.        each language in adults occupied a distinct area of the brain, while
E.        each language occupying a distinct area of the brain for an adult learner, and







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answer: A

I chose C. I did not know why until I saw it in the american forum.

This is a simple question testing the knowledge of run ons and independent clauses.
remember two independent clauses can be joined together by using semi colon or conjunctions or proper punctuations. a comma cannot connect 2 independent clauses (IC) and this is known as run on error.

A. whereas each language occupies a distinct area of the brain in an adult learner, [ whereas is a dependent clause indicator. we have a dependent clause + independent clause structure. My answer]

B. whereas for adults each language occupies a distinct area of the brain [size=12.800000190734863px]and [and- conjunction. it connects only 2 IC. whereas- dependent clause. Eliminated!]

C. [size=12.800000190734863px]each language occupies a distinct area of the brain when [size=12.800000190734863px]they are learned by an adult, while [pronoun does not agree with the subject. Eliminated!]

D. each language in adults [size=12.800000190734863px]occupied a distinct area of the brain, while [wrong tense usage. occupied is past tense. does it not occupy now? Eliminated!]

E. each language occupying a distinct area of the brain for an adult learner, [size=12.800000190734863px]and [ again the statement before 'and' is not an independent clause. It is a dependent clause. Eliminated!]



Hope it helps.