Question

Death Valley has a low annual rainfall. Hundreds of animal and plant species thrive there.

1. Death Valley has a low annual rainfall; nevertheless, hundreds of animal and plant species thrive there.
2. Death Valley has a low annual rainfall; nevertheless hundreds of animal and plant species thrive there.
3. Death Valley has a low annual rainfall; finally, hundreds of animal and plant species thrive there.

Click on the sentence above that correctly combines the two independent clauses by using a conjunctive adverb.

a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) None of the above

Answer 1

Option a) 1 is the correct answer as it correctly combines two independent clauses using 'nevertheless' as a conjunctive adverb to link the low annual rainfall of Death Valley and the thriving of many species there despite the dry conditions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer to the student's question about combining two independent clauses using a conjunctive adverb is option a) 1. The sentence 'Death Valley has a low annual rainfall; nevertheless, hundreds of animal and plant species thrive there.' effectively uses 'nevertheless' as a conjunctive adverb to link two contrasting ideas—Death Valley's low annual rainfall and the thriving ecosystems despite the dry conditions.

This reflects how, despite the harsh desert conditions due to low and unpredictable precipitation, plant and animal species have adapted. For instance, many plant species are annuals that reproduce quickly after rainfall and then die, while others have water-conserving adaptations such as deep roots and water-storing stems. Desert animal adaptations include nocturnal behaviors to avoid daytime heat and burrowing to escape high temperatures.