Question

in the summer, daytime temperatures in the sonoran desert can reach up to 118°f, so many desert animals are nocturnal, preferring to avoid activity under the scorching sun. choose 1 answer: a no change b 118°f so c 118°f d 118°f,

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze the sentence structure. The first part ("In the summer... up to 118°F") and the second part ("many desert animals... sun") are independent clauses. To connect them, we need a conjunction (like "so") without an incorrect comma before it. Option A has a comma before "so", which is incorrect for connecting two independent clauses with "so" (as "so" here is a coordinating conjunction, and we should not have a comma before it in this context? Wait, no—actually, when "so" is used as a coordinating conjunction (meaning "therefore"), we do use a comma before it. Wait, maybe I made a mistake. Wait, let's re - evaluate.

Wait, the original sentence: "In the summer, daytime temperatures in the Sonoran desert can reach up to 118°F, so many desert animals are nocturnal, preferring to avoid activity under the scorching sun."

Wait, "so" here is a coordinating conjunction that joins two independent clauses: "daytime temperatures... 118°F" and "many desert animals... nocturnal". The rule for coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) is that we use a comma before them when joining two independent clauses. So the original sentence (option A) is correct? Wait, but maybe the question is about a different error. Wait, no—let's check the options.

Wait, maybe the error is that "so" is not the right way to connect, or maybe the comma is incorrect. Wait, no—let's think again. Wait, the first clause: "In the summer, daytime temperatures in the Sonoran desert can reach up to 118°F" (independent clause, has a subject "daytime temperatures" and a verb "can reach"). The second clause: "many desert animals are nocturnal" (independent clause, subject "many desert animals", verb "are"). When joining two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction (like "so"), we need a comma before the conjunction. So the original sentence (option A) has "118°F, so", which is correct. Wait, but maybe the question is designed differently. Wait, maybe the "so" is not necessary, or there's a misplacement. Wait, no—let's check the options.

Option B: "118°F so"—no comma before "so", which is incorrect because we need a comma before the coordinating conjunction when joining two independent clauses. Option C: "118°F"—this would make the sentence "In the summer, daytime temperatures... up to 118°F many desert animals...", which is a run - on sentence. Option D: "118°F,"—this would make the sentence "In the summer, daytime temperatures... up to 118°F, many desert animals...", which is also a run - on (a comma splice, since we don't have a conjunction). So the original sentence (option A) is correct.

Answer:

A. NO CHANGE