Which should be connected with a semi-colon?
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Understanding mathematics is very important ______ despite its complexity.
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Understanding mathematics is very important ______ basic calculation is an essential skill.
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Understanding mathematics is very important ______ most accountant jobs require them.
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Understanding mathematics is very important ______ although it is not always the most fascinating subject on the planet.
Options B and C are correct because they join two independent clauses with a semi-colon. The semi-colon can connect closely related complete sentences. In B: 'Understanding mathematics is very important' and 'basic calculation is an essential skill' are both independent clauses. In C: 'most accountant jobs require them' is also independent. Options A and D are incorrect because they cannot be connected with a semi-colon: one contains a dependent clause (A) and one uses a subordinating conjunction (D).
A semicolon joins two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning, each of which could stand alone as a complete sentence. "Basic calculation is an essential skill" and "most accountant jobs require them" are both complete clauses that logically connect to the first part, so a semicolon works for both. The other two options use subordinating words ("despite", "although") that create a dependent clause, which should be joined with a comma, not a semicolon.