In the question below, a conjunction is given that can be used to connect two sentences. You are provided with three pairs of sentences. Identify which of the pairs given can be connected by the word or the conjunction given. But 1. The French had not occupied that region. The Russians, the uninjured and slightly wounded, had left it long ago. 2. He was ridiculous, and unpleasantly sarcastic. He inspired involuntary respect by his boundless devotion to an idea. 3. They hadn't actually agreed on anything. They were no longer quarrelling.

(d) BUT is used to show contradiction Both sentences in 2 and 3 are contradictory. 1- The sentences are similar - the first tells us that the French had not occupied the region, and the second tells that the Russians had also left the region unoccupied. 2- the first sentence tells us that he was ridiculous and sarcastic, and the second contradicts it by telling us that he was still respected. "He was ridiculous, and unpleasantly sarcastic but he inspired involuntary respect by his boundless devotion to an idea." 3- the first sentence tells us that they had not agreed on anything, the second contradicts it by telling us how they were no longer quarrelling. "They hadn't actually agreed on anything, but they were no longer quarrelling." Thus, (d) is the right answer.