Question #N711
As the planet's orbit carries it closer to the sun, the amount of light and heat received by Earth increases, and the Earth's climate shifts dramatically. The process of Earth’s shifting from warmer to colder climates, and back again, is known as the Quaternary Ice Age. During an ice age, glaciers grow and expand, covering large areas of the planet, but between ice ages, glaciers melt and retreat. Â
Which choice provides the best way to combine the sentences in the underlined portion without changing the meaning?
A. The process of Earth’s shifting from warmer to colder climates, and back again, is known as the Quaternary Ice Age—during an ice age, glaciers grow and expand, covering large areas of the planet.
B. The process of Earth’s shifting from warmer to colder climates, and back again, is known as the Quaternary Ice Age; during an ice age, glaciers grow and expand, covering large areas of the planet.
C. The process of Earth’s shifting from warmer to colder climates, and back again, is known as the Quaternary Ice Age; glaciers grow and expand, covering large areas of the planet, during an ice age.
D. The process of Earth’s shifting from warmer to colder climates, and back again, is known as the Quaternary Ice Age, during an ice age, glaciers grow and expand, covering large areas of the planet.
Correct Answer is: D
The best way to combine the sentences is to use a comma and a conjunction. The sentence would then be "The process of Earth’s shifting from warmer to colder climates, and back again, is known as the Quaternary Ice Age, during an ice age, glaciers grow and expand, covering large areas of the planet."