Choose the option that correctly combines the two sentences into one:
The flood damaged the crops. It also washed away the village bridge.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → The flood not only damaged the crops but also washed away the village bridge.
The second sentence adds one more thing the flood did. Two actions of the same subject are joined, so the pair not only ... but also is used. Each part of the pair comes just before a verb: “not only damaged” and “but also washed away”.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: Not only the flood damaged the crops, but it also washed away the village bridge. — Incorrect. When a sentence begins with “Not only”, the helping verb must come before the subject: “Not only did the flood damage the crops”.
Option 2: The flood damaged not only the crops but also washed away the village bridge. — Incorrect. “Not only” stands before a noun (“the crops”), but “but also” stands before a verb (“washed away”). Both parts of the pair must come before the same kind of word.
Option 4: Because the flood damaged the crops, it washed away the village bridge. — Incorrect. “Because” makes the damage to the crops the reason for the loss of the bridge. That changes the meaning.