Understanding Connectors to Combine Sentences

The question asks us to select the best connector from the given options to combine two sentences while keeping the original meaning. The two sentences are:

• Avantika worked hard for the exam.
• She became a topper in university.

We need to find a connector that links these two events correctly.

Analyzing the Relationship Between the Sentences

The first sentence, "Avantika worked hard for the exam," describes an action or cause. The second sentence, "She became a topper in university," describes the result or effect of that action. The implied relationship is that working hard was the reason she became a topper. We are looking for a connector that expresses this cause-and-effect relationship.

Evaluating the Given Connectors

Let's look at each option and see how it changes the meaning when used to combine the sentences:

1. Thereafter

'Thereafter' means 'after that time'. It indicates a sequence of events. If we use 'thereafter', the combined sentence would be:

"Avantika worked hard for the exam. Thereafter, she became a topper in university."

This sentence tells us that becoming a topper happened after working hard, but it doesn't explicitly state that working hard was the reason for becoming a topper. It only shows the order of events.

2. So

'So' is used to introduce a result or consequence. It means 'therefore' or 'as a result'. If we use 'so', the combined sentence would be:

"Avantika worked hard for the exam, so she became a topper in university."

This sentence clearly indicates that because Avantika worked hard, the result was that she became a topper. This expresses the cause-and-effect relationship implied in the original sentences.

3. Although

'Although' is used to introduce a statement that makes the main statement seem surprising or unlikely; it indicates a contrast or concession. If we use 'although', the combined sentence would be:

"Although Avantika worked hard for the exam, she became a topper in university."

Using 'although' here implies that becoming a topper was unexpected despite working hard, or perhaps something else happened despite her hard work. This meaning is contrary to the likely intended meaning, which is that her hard work *led to* her success.

Choosing the Correct Connector

Comparing the meanings, 'so' is the only connector that effectively expresses the cause-and-effect relationship between working hard and becoming a topper, which is the most natural interpretation of the original two sentences. 'Thereafter' only shows sequence, and 'although' shows contrast.

Therefore, 'So' is the correct connector to use.

The options presented refer to which connector(s) are correct:

• Option 1: Both 1 (Thereafter) and 2 (So) - Incorrect, 'Thereafter' doesn't fully capture the cause-effect.
• Option 2: Only 3 (Although) - Incorrect, 'Although' shows contrast, not cause-effect.
• Option 3: Only 2 (So) - Correct, 'So' expresses the cause-effect relationship.
• Option 4: Only 1 (Thereafter) - Incorrect, 'Thereafter' only shows sequence.
• Option 5: None of the above - Incorrect, 'So' is a suitable connector.

Based on our analysis, only the connector 'So' correctly combines the sentences while preserving the intended meaning.