Problem 18 - Entrance Test

The main question is how can we achieve sustainable growth

A. A. The main question is: How can we achieve sustainable growth?B. B. The main question is how can we achieve sustainable growth?C. C. The main question is, how can we achieve sustainable growth?D. D. The main question is how can we achieve sustainable growth.

Correct: B

Option B correctly punctuates this sentence. When a question is embedded within a statement (an indirect question), it typically does not take a question mark at the end of the sentence. The sentence itself is a statement about 'the main question.' Option A incorrectly uses a colon and a capitalized 'How,' treating it as a direct question. Option C incorrectly uses a comma. Option D, while ending with a period, does not quite capture the interrogative nature that an indirect question implies, though it's technically not wrong. However, the most natural and grammatically sound way to treat an indirect question like this, where the sentence as a whole is a statement, is to end it with a period and not use any internal punctuation before the indirect question.