Question

How could the two sentences most effectively be combined? (A) While some measure of anxiety is to be expected, for the reason that it is in fact welcome in order to sharpen one's focus because many students today find that their anxiety hinders their ability to perform on high-stakes tests. (B) While some measure of anxiety is to be expected and is in fact welcome in order to sharpen one's focus; many students today find that their anxiety hinders their ability to perform on high-stakes tests. (C) While some measure of anxiety is to be expected and is, in fact, welcome in order to sharpen one's focus, many students today find that their anxiety hinders their ability to perform on high-stakes tests. (D) While some measure of anxiety is to be expected because it is in fact welcome in order to sharpen one's focus, the fact remains that many students today find that their anxiety hinders their ability to perform on high-stakes tests.

Short answer

Option C is the most effective combination.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Core Idea

Both sentences focus on a measure of anxiety being expected and even welcomed to sharpen focus, but with a contrasting idea that such anxiety hinders students on high-stakes tests. We need to combine these logically, maintaining the contrast.

Logical Structure Analysis

Sentence A struggles with clarity due to a convoluted structure and lack of clear punctuation. Sentence B uses a semicolon appropriately for contrast but could still be clearer. Sentence D has repetitive elements. Sentence C includes the needed contrast with a clean structure using appropriate punctuation to clarify relationships between clauses.

Evaluate Sentence Fluency

Sentence C logically connects two contrasting ideas using a comma, which enhances readability. It precisely uses the phrase "is, in fact, welcome" to stress the positive side of anxiety before presenting the negative impact, thus effectively combining both ideas within one sentence.

Conclusion

Sentence C combines the sentences most effectively by clearly stating the expected and sometimes welcome nature of anxiety, while smoothly introducing the contrasting effect it can have on student performance in tests.

Key concepts

Punctuation

The proper use of punctuation marks is fundamental to clear communication in writing. In the provided sentences, punctuation plays a crucial role in conveying the contrasting nature of anxiety. Sentence C demonstrates effective punctuation by using a comma to separate the contrasting ideas within the sentence. This allows the reader to pause and absorb the different facets of the idea.

Commas are used to clarify thoughts and introduce phrases or clauses smoothly. In the phrase "is, in fact, welcome," the commas set apart an interrupting phrase, adding emphasis on the fact that some anxiety is beneficial. This proper punctuation makes the sentence easier to read, highlighting both the positive and negative impacts of anxiety.

On the other hand, semicolons can be implemented to link closely related independent clauses. Sentence B uses this effectively, but it lacks clarity. In complex sentences, choosing between a comma or a semicolon significantly influences how a sentence is structured and understood by the reader. By emphasizing distinct ideas, punctuation guides the reader through the writer's intended message.

Sentence Structure

Sentence structure refers to the arrangement of words, phrases, and clauses in a sentence. A well-structured sentence improves readability and comprehension. The original exercise illustrates this by comparing how different structures convey the same idea.

Sentence A is difficult to understand due to its complicated structure and overlapping concepts. In contrast, Sentence C uses a simple structure, managing two complex ideas in a straightforward manner. Such clarity is achieved by placing the main idea at the beginning and following it with related clauses. This logical flow makes each sentence component easy to comprehend.

• A simple sentence conveys one idea.
• A compound sentence connects two ideas, often with a conjunction like "and" or "but."
• A complex sentence combines an independent clause with one or more dependent clauses using conjunctions.

The art of writing lies in selecting the most effective structure to express thoughts clearly. Sentence C's structure provides an example of how a complex sentence can balance multiple ideas without losing meaning, ensuring the reader understands the intended contrast.

Contrast in Writing

Contrast is used in writing to highlight differences between two or more elements, providing depth and clarity to a topic or argument. In the exercise, the contrast comes from balancing the expected benefit of anxiety with its negative consequences on performance during tests.

Effective use of contrast emphasizes key differences, helping readers appreciate the nuances of a topic.

• "While" is a common conjunction used to introduce contrast, demonstrating juxtaposition between two ideas.
• The contrast can provide a deeper understanding by showing multiple sides of an issue.

In Sentence C, the phrase "while some measure of anxiety is to be expected and is, in fact, welcome..." directly contrasts with "many students today find that their anxiety hinders them."
By presenting both sides of the argument, the sentence gives a balanced view, crucial for complex discussions that require considering both positives and negatives. Implementing contrast effectively enhances the argument, giving readers a comprehensive outlook on the subject matter.