Question

Read the passage. (1) William Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. (2) It is a town in England. (3) He is believed to have attended the King’s New School there from age seven to age fourteen. (4) Teachers were strict in Shakespeare’s day. (5) The school day was long. (6) In the summer, school started at 6 a.m. (7) School did not end until 5 p.m. (8) In the winter, the school day was an hour or two shorter. (9) At age nine, students began learning Latin. (10) It was the language of international affairs. (11) In school, students spoke Latin. (12) Teachers also spoke Latin. (13) Students caught speaking English in school were punished.
Which is the most effective way to combine sentences (9) and (10)?

At age nine, students began learning Latin, which was the language of international affairs.

Beginning to learn Latin at age nine because it was the language of international affairs.

At age nine, students began learning Latin, and it was the language of international affairs.

Since age nine students began learning Latin, and it was the language of international affairs.

Answer 1

Answer: At age nine, students began learning Latin, which was the language of international affairs.

Explanation:

• By using a relative pronoun 'which', sentences 9 and 10 are connected into one. Relative pronouns are used to give additional information about a noun (Latin in this case).
• The first sentence 'At age nine, students began learning Latin' (which is independent) is, in this way, joined to a subordinate clause 'which was the language of international affairs.'  The two sentences form a new, complex sentence.
• This is the most natural way to connect the two sentences.