18. In context, which would be the most effective way to revise and combine sentences 3 and 4? 'He taught himself to juggle. He could juggle three balls perfectly by the age of six.'
Answer: B
He taught himself to juggle and he could juggle three balls perfectly by the age of six.
The most effective way to combine sentences 3 and 4 is to use option B, which creates a cohesive and grammatically correct sentence that clearly conveys both ideas.
A) He taught himself to juggle
This option only includes the first part of the original sentences without incorporating the second sentence. Therefore, it fails to provide a complete thought about his juggling ability by age six.
B) and he could juggle three balls perfectly by the age of six.
This option effectively combines the two original sentences into one fluid statement. It maintains the original meaning while creating a smooth transition between the two ideas, highlighting both the self-taught skill and the proficiency achieved at a young age.
C) He taught himself to juggle and by the age of six could juggle three balls perfectly.
While this option is mostly correct, it lacks the clarity provided by option B. The phrasing "could juggle" makes it slightly awkward and less direct compared to the more straightforward option B.
D) He taught himself to juggle; he juggles three balls perfectly by the age of six.
This choice incorrectly uses the present tense "juggles," which disrupts the chronological context of the accomplishment. The original sentences indicate past achievements, making this option less effective.
E) He taught himself to juggle three balls perfectly; they did it by the age of six.
This option introduces ambiguity with the pronoun "they," which does not refer back to any subject in the original sentences. It misrepresents the information and results in a confusing statement.
F) He taught himself juggling
This option simplifies the first part of the sentences but omits vital information regarding his proficiency with three balls by age six. It fails to provide a complete picture of the context.
G) and they juggled three balls perfectly by the age of six.
Similar to option E, this choice introduces the pronoun "they," which is misleading and does not align with the original subject. It results in a loss of clarity and accuracy.
Conclusion
Option B is definitively the best choice as it combines both sentences effectively while maintaining clarity and grammatical correctness. All other options either fail to capture the full meaning of the original sentences or introduce confusion and errors, making them less effective in conveying the intended message.