Extract:
Which of the following words fits best in the following sentence?
The meteorologist had forecast rain, ___________ Sheila brought her umbrella to work.
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A
because
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B
yet
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C
so
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D
nor
The word "so" fits best because it establishes a logical cause-effect relationship between the forecast and Sheila's action.
A) because
"Because" introduces a reason clause, but placing it here would reverse causality: "The meteorologist forecast rain because Sheila brought her umbrella" illogically suggests the forecast resulted from her action rather than prompting it.
B) yet
"Yet" introduces contrast or unexpected outcomes—semantically inappropriate when the action (bringing umbrella) logically follows the forecast (rain prediction). No contradiction exists between these events.
C) so
"So" correctly establishes cause-effect sequence: the forecast (cause) prompted the umbrella (effect). This coordinating conjunction properly links the independent clauses showing logical consequence.
D) nor
"Nor" introduces negative additions following "neither" or another negative—completely inappropriate here with positive statements lacking negation. "Nor" cannot connect these affirmative clauses.
Conclusion
Cause-effect relationships between independent clauses require conjunctions like "so" that signal logical consequence. "Because" would reverse causality, "yet" implies contradiction where none exists, and "nor" requires negation—making "so" the only semantically and syntactically appropriate choice.