Question #N670
The ancient city of Petra, in Jordan, was carved into the sandstone cliffs by the Nabataeans, a nomadic people who settled there in the 4th century BCE. Petra was a major center of trade, and its architecture, especially the Treasury, a temple carved into the rock face, is known for its elaborate detail and impressive scale. In 1985, UNESCO designated the city a World Heritage Site, however, the ancient city is threatened by the effects of climate change and tourism.
Which choice most effectively combines the sentences at the underlined portion?Correct Answer is: C
The most effective way to combine the sentences is to use the coordinating conjunction "but." The conjunction "but" indicates a contrast, which is appropriate in this case, as the two clauses present a shift from a positive statement about the designation of Petra as a World Heritage Site to a negative statement about threats to the city. The other choices are incorrect because they do not effectively combine the sentences. Choice A uses the conjunction "though," which is appropriate to introduce a concession, not a contrast. Choice B uses no conjunction, which results in a comma splice. Choice D uses a semicolon, which is generally used to separate two independent clauses, not a dependent clause from an independent clause.