Question

what is the most effective way to combine sentences 8 and 9?
early attempts to provide provisions to troops left them weakened, and were also malnourished and susceptible to disease, which could be fatal.
early attempts to provide provisions to troops left them weakened; troops were also left malnourished and susceptible to disease, which could be fatal.
early attempts to provide provisions to troops left them weakened, malnourished, and susceptible to disease, which could be fatal.
early attempts to provide provisions to troops left them weakened and troops were also left malnourished and susceptible to disease, which could be fatal.

Explanation:

This option uses parallel structure to list the effects of failed provisioning (weakened, malnourished, susceptible to disease) concisely, avoiding repetition of "troops were left" and creating a smooth, logical flow that clearly connects all consequences to the initial cause. The other options are either repetitive, grammatically awkward, or unnecessarily wordy.

Answer:

Early attempts to provide provisions to troops left them weakened, malnourished, and susceptible to disease, which could be fatal.