Detailed Instructions: In this task, you are given two sentences in the English language (Sentence 1 and Sentence 2). Your task is to identify the connecting word between the two sentences.
Problem:Sentence 1:Atheromata continue to be the primary underlying basis for disability and death , despite a trend for gradual improvement since the early 1960s ( adjusted for patient age ) . Sentence 2:Thus , increasing efforts towards better understanding , treating and preventing the problem are continuing to evolve .
Solution:
thus