Antigenic shift

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Antigenic shift

by ani781 » Sat Aug 31, 2013 4:19 am
Antigenic shift refers to the combination of two different strains of influenza; in contrast, antigenic drift refers to the natural mutation of a single strain of influenza.
A)influenza; in contrast, antigenic drift refers to the natural mutation of a single strain of influenza
B)influenza, different than the natural mutation of a single strain, known as antigenic drift
C)influenza, in contrast to the natural mutation of a single strain, known as antigenic drift
D)influenza, different than antigenic drift, which refers to the natural mutation of a single strain of influenza
E)influenza; in contrast to antigenic drift, which refers to the natural mutation of a single strain of influenza

OA : A

Is not it that a semi-colon connects two sentences that are independent ? Or, is my understanding incorrect , in that, the sentences are independent to stand by their own... Any help is much appreciated.
Source: — Sentence Correction |

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by [email protected] » Sat Aug 31, 2013 2:01 pm
Hi ani781,

Punctuation is not a commonly tested rule on the GMAT (although you might see an SC that uses a semi-colon). The basic rule for semi-colons is that a semi-colon separates 2 ideas that could be their own unique sentences, but are in 1 sentence because they're based on the same subject.

This SC follows that pattern. The two ideas could be their own unique sentences, but they're in 1 sentence (and separated by a semi-colon) because they're based on the same subject.

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