Question #N275
After a long day of hiking, I was eager to relax. As I settled into my hammock, the gentle breeze, rustling the leaves of the surrounding trees, lulled me to sleep. The sounds of the forest were a symphony of nature, creating a sense of peace and tranquility.
Which choice provides the most effective way to combine the first two sentences of this passage?
A. After a long day of hiking, I was eager to relax, as I settled into my hammock, the gentle breeze, rustling the leaves of the surrounding trees, lulled me to sleep.
B. After a long day of hiking, I was eager to relax as I settled into my hammock, the gentle breeze, rustling the leaves of the surrounding trees, lulled me to sleep.
C. After a long day of hiking, I was eager to relax, and as I settled into my hammock, the gentle breeze, rustling the leaves of the surrounding trees, lulled me to sleep.
D. After a long day of hiking, I was eager to relax; and as I settled into my hammock, the gentle breeze, rustling the leaves of the surrounding trees, lulled me to sleep.
Correct Answer is: C
The correct answer is C because the two independent clauses are joined with a coordinating conjunction, "and," followed by a comma, creating a grammatically correct compound sentence. The other options are incorrect because A, B, and D create either comma splices or run-on sentences