Question

the colonists protested.
the protests were peaceful at first.
tension rose quickly.
revise your work. which joining word helps show a contrasting or opposing idea?
the colonists protested, so the protests were peaceful at first, tension rose quickly.

Explanation:

To show a contrasting or opposing idea, we need a conjunction like "but". The original sentence uses "so" which shows cause - effect, not contrast. The revised sentence with "but" would be "The colonists protested, and the protests were peaceful at first, but tension rose quickly." (Note: "and" can be used to connect the first two clauses as they are sequential, and "but" connects the peaceful protests to the rising tension which is a contrast). So the joining word that helps show a contrasting or opposing idea is "but".

Answer:

but