Which of the answer choices best combines the following four sentences into two sentences? I'm usually good about keeping track of my keys. I lost them. I spent hours looking for them. I found them in the freezer.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Combining the sentences is most effective when using 'but' to contrast the two ideas. Option C is concise, clear, and provides the best flow, accurately capturing both the contrast 'but I lost them' and the sequence of events 'After spending hours looking for them, I found them in the freezer.' Options A, B, and D do not effectively combine the sentences or maintain the sequence of events and contrast between keeping track of the keys and losing them.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer, option C, effectively clarifies the communication structure by specifying who is communicating with whom and when. Tanya instructs her sister to convey a message to her boyfriend Joe, requesting him to call Tanya upon his arrival home. This revision removes the ambiguity present in the original sentence. Option A is incorrect as it introduces unnecessary complexity and alters the original meaning. Option B is incorrect as it misinterprets the relationships among the individuals involved. Option D is incorrect as it changes the dynamics of the communication and does not address the ambiguity in the original sentence.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Option C is the correct answer as it correctly separates the cities and states in the series using commas. The items in a series should be separated by commas, with the final two items being separated by 'and.' Choices A, B, and D have incorrect punctuation or lack necessary commas. In Choice A, semicolons are used incorrectly, and in Choice B, semicolons are placed inappropriately. Choice D lacks necessary commas to separate the cities and states effectively. Therefore, Option C is the only choice that demonstrates the correct way to separate items in a series.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. In this sentence, the phrase 'who lives next door' is a non-essential element providing additional information about the teacher. It is correctly set off by commas. Choice B does not use any commas to set off the non-essential element, making the information essential to the sentence. Choice C uses an unnecessary comma before 'who,' which disrupts the flow of the sentence. Choice D incorrectly places the non-essential element at the end of the sentence without appropriate commas, making it less clear and concise.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: When a colon is used to introduce a list, it is placed after a complete sentence and serves to signal that what follows will be a list or an explanation related to the preceding sentence. Choice A is incorrect because a colon doesn't join two related sentences; it introduces what follows after a complete sentence. Choice B is incorrect as a colon is not used to set off direct quotes longer than five words; quotation marks are used for that purpose. Choice D is incorrect because a colon does not separate clauses in a compound sentence; it is used to introduce a list or explanation after a complete sentence.