This question lacks the answer options. I have located them online, which are:
A. The excerpt does not require alteration because it has an independent clause that completes the writer's thought.
B. The excerpt requires no changes as it has a dependent clause that fulfills the writer's thought.
C. The excerpt needs to be revised as it consists of an independent clause that does not complete the writer's thought.
D. The excerpt should be modified since it contains a dependent clause that leaves the writer's thought incomplete.
Answer:
The best critique of the excerpt is:
D. The excerpt should be revised because it includes a dependent clause that leaves the writer's thought unfinished.
Explanation:
An independent clause can stand on its own, expressing a complete thought, while a dependent clause does not have that capability, given that it conveys an incomplete idea. Dependent clauses typically start with subordinating conjunctions like "because", "although", "when", "since", etc.
The excerpt analyzed here exemplifies a dependent clause. It begins with the word "because" and is missing an idea at the end:
"Because the endangered panthers living in the forest need large, connected territories to roam..." What follows? What actions should we take due to that? The sentence's message lacks completion. For example, we can finish the sentence:
- Because the endangered panthers living in the forest require ample connected territories to roam, we should conserve vast wilderness areas.
Notice how it sounds clearer now? The sentence conveys a complete message.
