When people communicate only through text, it can be difficult to convey tone successfully. The difference between successful and unsuccessful interpretation is often found in non-verbal cues like facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice.

5
writing

Which choice most effectively combines the underlined sentences?

A

conveying tone successfully can be difficult; it often depends on non-verbal cues like facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice.

B

it can be difficult to successfully convey tone, which depends on non-verbal cues like facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice, especially when communicating through text.

C

especially when they are communicating through text, successful interpretation often depends on facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice, which are non-verbal cues.

D

non-verbal cues like facial expressions are essential to successfully completing the difficult task of conveying tone; body language is also key.

Correct Answer: B

Choice B is the best answer. It combines the difficulty of conveying tone with the reason (dependence on cues) using a relative clause ("which depends on...").

Choice A is incorrect because the semicolon connects two independent clauses loosely. Choice C is incorrect because "which are non-verbal cues" is a redundant relative clause at the end. Choice D is incorrect because it changes the focus to "completing the difficult task" which is wordy.