Question

art started out as a hobby for me. i had always been interested in painting. i didnt think i had the ability to do it well. __. i couldnt draw a straight line. im still not sure that i can draw one now. first, i signed up for a beginners painting class. __ i found out i loved painting and was actually pretty good at it. 5 which word could best combine these two sentences from the passage? i had always been interested in painting. i didnt think i had the ability to do it well. a. and b. since c. because d. but

Explanation:

The two sentences are "I had always been interested in painting" and "I didn't think I had the ability to do it well". There is a contrast between being interested in painting and not thinking one had the ability to do it well. The conjunction "but" is used to show a contrast or contradiction between two ideas. "And" is used for addition, "since" for cause or time, and "because" for cause, which do not fit the relationship here.

Answer:

D. but