Which sentence correctly links two independent clauses?

The packing box had been used and reused; a heavy layer of packing tape was all that held it together.
The packing box had been used and reused, a heavy layer of packing tape was all that held it together.
The packing box had been used and reused and a heavy layer of packing tape was all that held it together.
The packing box had been used and reused now a heavy layer of packing tape was all that held it together.

Question

Which sentence correctly links two independent clauses?

The packing box had been used and reused; a heavy layer of packing tape was all that held it together.
 The packing box had been used and reused, a heavy layer of packing tape was all that held it together.
 The packing box had been used and reused and a heavy layer of packing tape was all that held it together.
 The packing box had been used and reused now a heavy layer of packing tape was all that held it together.

oioioibakugousan · Answer

i need help please

Mercury · Answer

thoughts?

remember that an independent clause has a subject + predicate, and expresses a complete thought.

you can combine two independent clauses by:
- putting a semicolon between them
or
- putting a comma after the first independent clause, adding a conjunction like and, or, but, etc. and then putting the second independent clause after

so look through the answer choices and see which one correctly uses one of these methods