Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.
(1) It was early on a Saturday morning. (2) Unlike on most Saturdays, the hallways at the school bustled with activity. (3) The annual state music contest had
arrived. (4) The place was packed with students carrying instruments and sheets of music. (5) Haley was panicked because she was one of the contestants. (6) She
had butterflies in her stomach over the idea of singing her solo for the judges. (7) For months, she had practiced her song. (8) Now that the contest was here, though,
the worst thing had happened. (9) She felt too nervous to perform!
(10) Haley had always had a nice voice. (11) She just couldn't get behind singing in public. (12) When her choir teacher had persuaded her to enter the contest, she
was up for it. (13) Now, she just wanted an excuse to back out.
(14) As Haley paced in the hall, Leah moseyed up to her. (15) Leah was one of Haley's BFFS. (16) "What's up with you, girl?" Leah cried. (17) "You look awful."
(18) "I can't sing for those judges; Haley replied. (19) "I'm scared. (20) Really scared. (21) Like might faint scared."
(22) Leah pursed her lips. (23) She knew Haley very well. (24) "Haley, she began, "when we were kids, you sang all the time. (25) Why did you do it?"
(26) Haley paused. (27) "Just because I liked it"
(28) "Yes!" Leah exclaimed. (29) "That's what matters. (30) When people realize it, they'll enjoy your singing, tool"
(31) Haley thought this over. (32) As usual, Leah had a point (33) "You're right; Haley said. (34) "Let's do this thing!"
(35) "That's good; Leah cheered. (36) "Now, you better get warmed up.
(37) Haley started down the hall. (38) She glanced back at Leah with a smile.
(39) Then she charged to the warm-up room, loudly humming her song.
Which rewrite of sentence 3 BEST uses a noun clause to clarify the relationship between sentences 2 and 3?
Select one:
O a. At last, the annual state music contest had arrived.
O b. The reason was that the annual state music contest had arrived.
Ос The annual state music contest had arrived, to everyone's delight.
Od. The annual state music contest, which everyone enjoyed, had arrived.

A noun clause can serve as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. In this case, "The reason was that the annual state music contest had arrived" uses a noun clause ("that the annual state music contest had arrived") to clearly explain why the hallways at the school were bustling with activity on this particular Saturday morning, unlike most Saturdays. This directly clarifies the relationship between sentences 2 and 3, making the passage more coherent.