Question

Read the sentence.

When Letasha went to the store, she bought several baking goods: milk, sugar, and cinnamon.

Which statement is accurate?

The colon is correctly placed and necessary because the introductory text cannot stand alone.
The colon is correctly placed and necessary because the introductory text can stand alone.
The colon is necessary because a list is given, but it should appear after the word “store.”
The colon is necessary because a list is given, but it should appear after the word “bought.”

Answer 1

"The colon is correctly placed and necessary because the introductory text can stand alone."

Explanation: The clause before the colon ("she bought several baking goods") is an independent clause, so a colon may properly introduce the following list. Putting a colon after "store" (a subordinate clause) or after "bought" (mid-clause) would be incorrect.