In the following question, from the four alternatives, select the option with the correct punctuation.

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

This option correctly treats two independent clauses as two separate sentences.
The first sentence, "There was a flood in the country!", is a complete thought ending with a valid terminal punctuation mark (an exclamation mark).
The second sentence, "Everyone got involved in relief work.", is also a complete thought that begins with a capital letter and ends with a period.
This structure is grammatically correct and clear.

Option B: This is a run-on sentence, also known as a fused sentence. It combines two complete sentences (independent clauses) without any punctuation or connecting word between them.
Option C: This option incorrectly uses a comma and single quotation marks. Quotation marks are used to indicate direct speech or to quote from a text. They are not used to join sentences.
Option D: This is a comma splice. It incorrectly uses only a comma to join two independent clauses. A comma by itself is not strong enough to separate two complete sentences.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Punctuation of Independent Clauses as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This is a non-clinical English grammar question. Accurate grammar and punctuation are essential for clear and professional communication in all fields, including nursing, especially in documentation, report writing, and patient education materials.
What if? - If the stem changed one defining clue so that There was a flood in the country! Everyone got involved in relief work. no longer matched, reassess the option whose mechanism, classification, or indication now fits the revised presentation.

How to Approach the Question

First, read the full sentence to identify the main ideas or clauses.
Identify if there are two independent clauses (parts that could stand alone as complete sentences). In this case: (1) 'There was a flood in the country' and (2) 'Everyone got involved in relief work'.
Examine the punctuation and/or conjunction used to connect these two clauses in each option.
Option A uses an exclamation mark, a valid end-of-sentence punctuation. The second clause starts as a new sentence. This is a correct way to separate two independent clauses.
Option B has no punctuation, creating a run-on sentence error.
Option D uses only a comma, creating a comma splice error.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Qg8pp_Izs8fMw-ZZUvVHA5

E6 Psychology Morgan King 9e Part 1 p. 275-277

Practise the full DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.