The city of Pompeii, which was buried in ash following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, continues to be studied by
archaeologists. Unfortunately, as ______ attest, archaeological excavations have disrupted ash deposits at the site, causing
valuable information about the eruption to be lost.
researchers, Roberto Scandone and Christopher Kilburn,
researchers, Roberto Scandone and Christopher Kilburn
researchers Roberto Scandone and Christopher Kilburn
researchers Roberto Scandone, and Christopher Kilburn
Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of a restrictive coordinated noun phrase. No
punctuation is needed within or around the coordinated noun phrase “researchers Roberto Scandone and Christopher
Kilburn” because it would create an illogical separation between the noun “researchers” and the coordinated noun phrase
“Roberto Scandone and Christopher Kilburn.”
Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed. Placing a pair of commas around the coordinated noun phrase
“Roberto Scandone and Christopher Kilburn” creates an illogical separation between the noun “researchers” and the
aforementioned coordinated noun phrase. In this case, it illogically suggests that researchers in general bear the speciﬁc
names Roberto Scandone and Christopher Kilburn. Choice B is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the
noun “researchers” and the coordinated noun phrase “Roberto Scandone and Christopher Kilburn.” Choice D is incorrect
because no punctuation is needed within the coordinated noun phrase “Roberto Scandone and Christopher Kilburn.”