Question

Since the 1990s, fishermen in Panama have been clearing mangrove trees for firewood and lumber. Mangrove deforestation threatens pygmy sloths that depend on mangroves for their food and habitat. Which choice most effectively combines the sentences at the underlined portion?

1) Have been clearing mangrove trees for firewood and lumber, which has threatened pygmy sloths that depend on mangroves for their food and habitat.
2) Since the 1990s, fishermen in Panama have been clearing mangrove trees for firewood and lumber, thus threatening pygmy sloths that depend on mangroves for their food and habitat.
3) Clearing mangrove trees for firewood and lumber in Panama since the 1990s is threatening pygmy sloths that depend on mangroves for their food and habitat.
4) Fishermen in Panama, since the 1990s, have been clearing mangrove trees for firewood and lumber, which has been a threat to pygmy sloths that depend on mangroves for their food and habitat.

Answer 1

Option 2 is the most effective choice as it combines the sentences at the underlined portion correctly and concisely.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most effective choice that combines the sentences at the underlined portion is option 2) Since the 1990s, fishermen in Panama have been clearing mangrove trees for firewood and lumber, thus threatening pygmy sloths that depend on mangroves for their food and habitat.