Choose the connective that correctly completes the concessive clause:
_____ meticulously the researchers monitored the incubation chamber, the fungal spore culture failed to germinate.
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. However
- Step 1: Observe the syntax of the concessive clause: the connector modifies an adverb ('meticulously') followed by subject + verb ('the researchers monitored').
- Step 2: Use 'However + adverb/adjective' to express 'no matter how': 'However meticulously the researchers monitored...'.
Answer
However.
Why not the others: 'Although' must be followed directly by a clause (Although the researchers meticulously monitored...), not 'Although meticulously...'; 'Despite' is a preposition governing a noun phrase or gerund; 'Even though' follows the same clausal pattern as although.
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