Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT) Practice Exam – Prep & Practice Questions

The correct punctuation in this sentence is achieved by using a semicolon followed by "consequently," and then a comma before "he." This structure effectively connects two independent clauses, as each part of the sentence could stand alone as a complete sentence. The first clause expresses an idea about Steven being late to class, while the second indicates the consequence of that behavior—missing many assignments.

Using a semicolon before "consequently" signals that a close relationship exists between the two independent ideas, while the comma after "consequently" is necessary because it precedes the coordinating clause that follows. This punctuation clarifies the intended meaning of the sentence, ensuring that the reader understands the cause-and-effect relationship between Steven's tardiness and the missed assignments.