The correct answer is **and** (Option 2). **Comprehensive Derivation:** The correct answer is - "and" Explanation & Key Takeaways: • From the given options, the most appropriate answer is "and". • And joins two independent words, clause, phrase, sentence. • Eg. She is intelligent and she is beautiful too. • And works here as conjunction. • Conjunction is a word or group of words that joins two or more words, phrase, clause etc. • Let us see the usages of the other words given in options - • Because - to given reason of something. • Eg. I did not do my work because I was not well. • But - joins two contrasting ideas. • Eg. We go but we will not stay there. • As - joins to introduce two events happening at the same time or introduce similarity on something. • Eg. She's wearing the same shirt as I am. • Thus, Option 2 is correct option. **Option Elimination:** • **Option 1 (but)**: Incorrect distractor. • **Option 2 (and)**: Correct Answer; accurate according to canonical reference. • **Option 3 (because)**: Incorrect distractor. • **Option 4 (as)**: Incorrect distractor. **Exam Trap:** Be careful of misleading distractors and subtle terminology differences. Verify core properties before selecting your answer. **Memory Booster:** Core mnemonic rule: and corresponds to Option (2).