What would be the BEST way to revise this sentence for greater clarity? A) However, the fact that Columbus left Spain thousands
of years after people settled what would become the United States never dawned on me. B) It never dawned on me, however, the idea of real-life people living in what would become the United States for thousands of years before Columbus ever left Spain. C) However, the fact that people were already living in what would become the United States for thousands of years before Columbus ever left Spain never dawned on me. D) However, the idea never dawned on me that long before Columbus ever left Spain, real-life people lived for thousands of years in what would become the United States.
D) However, the idea never dawned on me that long before Columbus ever left Spain, real-life people lived for thousands of years in what would become the United States.
This sentence has the most clarity because none of the pieces interrupt another. It begins with the transition that shows what follows is a change. The next piece is the narrator talking about the idea that never dawned on her. By having this part first, we know that the information that follows is the idea that never entered her mind until now. Then the idea follows. In option C the idea statement is interrupted by the actual idea. In option B the idea statement is interrupted by however. Option A has the idea statement after the entire rest of the sentence which also doesn't work for clarity.
D) However, the idea never dawned on me that long before Columbus ever left Spain, real-life people lived for thousands of years in what would become the United States.
Pick up litter and throw it away in a garbage can.
Blow or sweep fertilizer back onto the grass if it gets onto paved areas. Don't put fertilizer on the grass right before it rains. The chemicals will wash into storm drains and waterways.
Mulch or compost grass or yard waste. Or, leave it in your yard if you can't compost. Don't blow leaves into the street. This clogs and damages storm drains.
Wash your car or outdoor equipment where it can flow to a gravel or grassed area instead of a street.
Don't pour your motor oil down the storm drain. Take it to the nearest auto parts store. This is free!
Never clean up a spill by hosing it into a storm drain. Use dry methods like placing kitty litter, sand, or another absorbent on the spill. Once the liquid becomes solid - sweep it up and throw it in a garbage can.
C is the answer you are looking for. A common idea isn't a moral, the generalization is the Main Idea, but not quite the moral. The thought of the characters almost never have the moral in them. Therefore, C is your answer.
