Topic: Linkers or Connectors,

Best Answer Explained in Below-:

The correct answer to the question is 'C) although'. The sentence in question reads: "The referee blew the whistle to end the game ____ there were two minutes left." To choose the most appropriate conjunction, we must consider the relationship between the two clauses being connected.

Option C, 'although', indicates a contrast. In this scenario, the act of the referee blowing the whistle to end the game is unexpected given that there were still two minutes remaining. This creates a sense of surprise or contradiction, as one would typically expect a game to continue until the official time is up. Hence, 'although' effectively conveys that despite the remaining time, the game was concluded.

In contrast, the other options would not fit well. 'Therefore' (A) indicates a logical conclusion based on a preceding statement, which does not apply here. 'Since' (B) implies causation, suggesting that the game ended because there were two minutes left, which is illogical. 'However' (D) suggests a contradiction but is often used to introduce a different point rather than emphasize an unexpected outcome within the same context. Thus, 'although' is the most suitable choice for expressing this unexpected conclusion.