The argument against constructing a new highway is compelling, it will disrupt local ecosystems and water tables.

Question

Which proposed edit correctly addresses the comma splice in the original sentence?
(1 point)
The argument against constructing a new highway is compelling (it will disrupt local ecosystems
and water tables).
The argument against constructing a new highway is compelling: it will disrupt local ecosystems
and water tables.
The argument against constructing a new highway is compelling, but it will disrupt local
ecosystems and water tables.
The argument against constructing a new highway is compelling; it will disrupt local ecosystems
and water tables.

Answer 1

The correct edit that addresses the comma splice in the original sentence is:

The argument against constructing a new highway is compelling; it will disrupt local ecosystems and water tables.

This option uses a semicolon, which is appropriate for linking two closely related independent clauses.