Question #N669
A scientist studying the effects of climate change on a certain species of frog found that the frogs that lived in cooler, wetter environments were more likely to produce offspring, while the frogs that lived in warmer, drier environments were less likely to reproduce. The scientist concluded that the change in climate was affecting the frogs' reproductive rates.
Which choice best combines the sentences at the underlined portion into a single sentence with correct punctuation and grammar?
A. The scientist concluded that climate change was affecting the frogs' reproductive rates, where the frogs that lived in cooler, wetter environments were more likely to produce offspring while the frogs that lived in warmer, drier environments were less likely to reproduce.
B. The scientist concluded that climate change was affecting the frogs' reproductive rates; while the frogs that lived in cooler, wetter environments were more likely to produce offspring, while the frogs that lived in warmer, drier environments were less likely to reproduce.
C. The scientist concluded that climate change was affecting the frogs' reproductive rates, but the frogs that lived in cooler, wetter environments were more likely to produce offspring, while the frogs that lived in warmer, drier environments were less likely to reproduce.
D. The scientist concluded that climate change was affecting the frogs' reproductive rates, and the frogs that lived in cooler, wetter environments were more likely to produce offspring, while the frogs that lived in warmer, drier environments were less likely to reproduce.
Correct Answer is: C
The sentence should be combined with a conjunction, such as "but." The comma after "rates" is correct because it separates two independent clauses.