ACT Prep Online

This sentence contains two independent clauses: Cynthia has practiced often and she is ready for the performance. When an independent clause is followed by a conjunctive adverb such as therefore, the standard punctuation is a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb and a comma after it. The choice with often; therefore, she correctly uses a semicolon to join the independent clauses and a comma after therefore. The choice with No change creates a run-on sentence. The choice with often, therefore she uses only a comma between independent clauses, creating a comma splice. The choice with often therefore, she fails to punctuate the break between the two independent clauses.

Simplify each radical by factoring out the greatest perfect square. √18 = √(9 × 2) = 3√2 √50 = √(25 × 2) = 5√2 Now add like radicals: 3√2 + 5√2 = 8√2. The choice with “8√2 cm” is in simplest radical form because 2 has no perfect-square factor greater than 1. The choice with “√68 cm” comes from incorrectly adding the radicands (18 + 50) instead of simplifying and combining like radicals. The choices with “4√11 cm” and “8√3 cm” result from incorrect radical simplification.

The passage explains that sea otters rely on dense fur (not blubber) for warmth because their fur traps air next to their skin, which provides insulation. It also states that this trapped air layer provides buoyancy, helping them float on the water. Therefore, the choice stating "Maintaining body heat and providing buoyancy" matches the passage. The other choices are not supported by the passage, which focuses on insulation and floating rather than hunting, mating, or defense.