In context, which revision of the underlined portion would best combine sentences 7 and 8 (reproduced below)? Docile animals like antelope are easier to catch. A predominance of their bones could suggest that hunters of the time were not capable of regularly capturing more dangerous prey.

Rationale

Catch, so a

This revision effectively links the ideas in the two sentences, indicating that the ease of catching docile animals directly leads to the predominance of their bones, while also suggesting a limitation in the hunters' abilities.

A (catch, a) YOUR ANSWER

This option fails to provide a logical connection between the two sentences. The phrase "catch, a" does not clarify the relationship between the ease of catching docile animals and the implication regarding the hunters' abilities, leaving the reader without a clear understanding of the cause-and-effect dynamic.

B (catch, so a) CORRECT

The use of "so" clearly indicates that the first statement about docile animals leads to the conclusion in the second statement. It suggests that because these animals are easier to catch, their bones are more prevalent, which effectively ties the two ideas together in a cohesive manner.

C (catch, but a) YOUR ANSWER

This choice introduces a contrast that is not present in the original sentences. The word "but" implies a contradiction between the ease of catching docile animals and the hunters’ capabilities, which misrepresents the intended meaning that the hunters’ success with docile prey reflects their limitations with more dangerous animals.

D (catch, for a) YOUR ANSWER

The word "for" suggests an explanation rather than a direct consequence. While it attempts to connect the two ideas, it does not convey the same causal relationship as "so," which is crucial for understanding why the predominance of docile animal bones implies limitations on hunting capabilities.

Conclusion

In combining sentences 7 and 8, clarity and logical flow are essential. The revision "catch, so a" effectively communicates the relationship between the ease of capturing docile prey and the implications regarding the hunters' abilities, while all other choices either confuse the relationship or fail to connect the ideas coherently. This choice enhances the overall clarity and impact of the passage.