Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'But.' In this context, 'But' is a conjunction that correctly connects the two independent clauses, indicating a contrast. The first sentence states that Brady had never skied before, while the second sentence reveals that she performed well on the slopes, showing a surprising contrast to her lack of experience. 'Unless' implies a condition that needs to be met for a particular situation, which is not relevant here. 'Therefore' indicates a conclusion or result, which does not fit the context of the contrasting statements. 'Before' is a preposition that doesn't serve the purpose of connecting the two ideas presented in the sentences.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'The upholstered couch and rocking chair we bought together look great in the living room.' This sentence has correct subject-verb agreement with a compound subject. 'The crowd standing outside the club are getting restless' (Choice A) has incorrect agreement as 'crowd' is singular and should be paired with 'is'. 'Most of the cookies we left out on the counter was eaten by the dog' (Choice B) has incorrect agreement as 'cookies' is plural and should be paired with 'were'. 'Ricotta cheese and pesto tastes great on pizza' (Choice D) has incorrect agreement as 'cheese' and 'pesto' form a compound subject that is plural and should be paired with 'taste'.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct strategy during the drafting phase is to get the ideas down on paper, even if some sentences sound awkward or contain errors. It is essential to focus on capturing thoughts and concepts first, as editing and refining can be done in subsequent stages. Choice A is incorrect because it suggests listing all ideas without worrying about their quality or relevance, which may result in a disorganized draft. Choice B is incorrect as noting sources typically occurs during the research or referencing phase, not drafting. Choice C is incorrect because stopping frequently to look up grammar rules and spellings can disrupt the flow of ideas during drafting, which should prioritize content creation over minor details.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. A comparison of the language used in two different Shakespeare plays should include citations to support the analysis. Citations are necessary in academic or analytical pieces to give credit to the original sources, especially when comparing specific works. Choices B, C, and D do not require citations as they are more subjective or personal in nature. Choice B, a news article, should be based on facts and not personal analysis. Choice C is a personal opinion, and choice D is a personal essay based on the author's experiences and interests, where citations are not typically needed.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Option A presents a correctly punctuated compound sentence. It consists of two independent clauses 'Condors are protected by laws' and 'many people fear they will soon become extinct,' which are appropriately joined by a comma and the coordinating conjunction 'but.' In contrast, in option B, the sentence only lists items without independent clauses. Option C combines phrases without independent clauses, and Option D incorrectly uses a comma before the coordinating conjunction 'but' without an independent clause following it.