66. Which of the following most effectively combines the statements above into a single coherent and grammatically correct sentence?
Answer: A
Much of the Great Wall of China, which is actually a network of walls and towers, was built in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
This option effectively combines the statements into a single, coherent, and grammatically correct sentence by providing a clear subject and using appropriate clauses to convey the necessary information.
A) Much of the Great Wall of China, which is actually a network of walls and towers, was built in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
This option is correct because it smoothly integrates all the elements of the statements into a single sentence. The use of "which is actually a network of walls and towers" serves as a descriptive clause, providing additional information about the Great Wall while maintaining clarity and grammatical integrity.
B) The Great Wall of China, this is actually a network of walls and towers, much of it is built in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
This option is incorrect due to its fragmented structure. The phrase "this is actually a network of walls and towers" disrupts the flow and creates a comma splice, making it grammatically unsound.
C) Much of the Great Wall of China, building in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, and it is actually a network of walls and towers.
This option is incorrect as it lacks grammatical cohesion. The phrase "building in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries" is awkward and does not correctly connect to the main clause, leading to confusion in the sentence structure.
D) Actually a network of walls and towers, they built much of the Great Wall of China in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
This option is incorrect because it uses "they" as a vague subject, which creates ambiguity regarding who built the wall. Additionally, the introductory phrase lacks a clear connection to the main clause, resulting in a disjointed sentence.
Conclusion
Option A is definitively the correct answer as it successfully combines all necessary information into a single, grammatically correct sentence, providing clarity and coherence. The other options fail due to grammatical errors or lack of clarity, which detracts from their effectiveness in conveying the intended meaning.