Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The best way to revise and combine the underlined portion of the sentences is by using a semicolon to show a stronger connection between the two ideas. Using 'however' after the semicolon helps to contrast the innocuous superstition with the negative outcome that sometimes occurred, providing a smoother flow between the ideas. Choice A is incorrect as it lacks a proper conjunction or punctuation to connect the ideas. Choice B is incorrect as 'but' does not effectively contrast the ideas as 'however' does. Choice D is incorrect as a colon is used to introduce a list or explanation, which is not suitable in this context where a contrast is needed.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: In this context, 'traditional' is used to describe the characteristic of a comic book that follows long-established conventions. The word 'conventional' is the most appropriate synonym because it implies something that follows standard or established practices. 'Old-fashioned' suggests something outdated, which is not the intended meaning here. 'Expensive' and 'popular' do not relate to the context of how comic books are released and do not align with the meaning of 'traditional' in this specific context.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The complete subject in a sentence includes all the words that describe the main focus of the sentence. In this case, the complete subject is "Sandra's principal reason for choosing the job" as it encompasses all the relevant details about Sandra and her reason for selecting the job. Choice A is the correct answer because it provides the most comprehensive and specific information, making it the complete subject. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not include all the necessary elements to form the complete subject and do not convey the full context of the sentence.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct punctuation in this case is to use a comma (,) to set off the nonrestrictive clause 'whose death shocked America in April of 2016.' This clause provides additional information about the artist Prince without changing the essential meaning of the sentence. Choice A has a semicolon (;) which is incorrect as it separates two closely related independent clauses. Choice C uses em dashes (-) which are incorrect as they should be used for emphasis or to set off information. Choice D uses a colon (:) which is incorrect as it introduces a list or an explanation, not additional information about the artist Prince. Therefore, the correctly punctuated sentence is: 'The artist Prince, whose death shocked America in April of 2016, was one of the most successful musical artists of the last century.'

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The comma following 'Day' is used incorrectly. Commas are typically not used after single-word identifiers like 'Day' in a sentence unless they are part of a list. In this case, the holiday is referred to as 'Parents' Day,' where the apostrophe is used correctly to indicate possession. The comma following 'Day' is unnecessary and should be removed for proper punctuation. Choices A and D both use apostrophes correctly to indicate possession, so they are not incorrect. The comma following 'Congo' in choice C is necessary to set off the introductory phrase 'a public holiday in the Democratic Republic of Congo.' Therefore, the correct answer is B.