In the same passage on restorative justice, choose the correct connector for the blank: More importantly, it directly addresses victim needs and __________ emphasises the private dimensions of a public wrong.

Introduction / Context:
This cloze question focuses on logical connectors that link cause and effect within a sentence. The passage states that restorative justice directly addresses victim needs and, as a natural result, emphasises certain dimensions of wrongdoing. The blank must be filled with a word or phrase that clearly signals this cause effect relationship.

Given Data / Assumptions:

Sentence: "More importantly, it directly addresses victim needs and __________ emphasises the private dimensions of a public wrong."

The subject "it" refers to restorative justice.

The connector should show that emphasising private dimensions follows logically from addressing victim needs.

Options: "so", "therefore", "because it", "then it".

Concept / Approach:

In formal writing, "therefore" is commonly used to mark a conclusion or effect arising from a previous point.

"So" is informal and usually connects clauses in a different structure, such as "and so it emphasises", which is not given here.

"Because it" introduces a reason, not a result, and would create a confusing structure in this position.

"Then it" suggests sequence in time rather than logical result.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that the sentence states two related actions of restorative justice: addressing victim needs and emphasising private dimensions. Step 2: Note that the second action flows as a logical consequence of the first. Step 3: Evaluate option a, "so". The phrase "and so emphasises" could work grammatically, but the blank alone as "so emphasises" without "and" is not what is provided in the passage. Step 4: Evaluate option b, "therefore". The phrase "and therefore emphasises" is a very natural and formal way to show that the emphasis results from addressing victim needs. Step 5: Evaluate option c, "because it". That would give "and because it emphasises", which wrongly makes the second clause a reason rather than a result. Step 6: Evaluate option d, "then it". "And then it emphasises" would express time sequence, which is not the intended meaning of the original passage. Step 7: Conclude that "therefore" is the most appropriate connector in this formal context.

Verification / Alternative check:
Academic and legal writing often uses structures such as "directly addresses X and therefore emphasises Y". This pattern clearly presents Y as a consequence of X. Thus, selecting "therefore" maintains both grammatical accuracy and the formal tone of the passage.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a is wrong because "so" alone in that position does not fit the precise structure used in the original sentence. Option c is wrong because "because it emphasises" turns the second clause into a reason for something else, which does not match the intended cause effect flow. Option d is wrong because "then it emphasises" implies simple time order rather than logical consequence.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may choose "so" because it is a common connector in speech, without considering the more formal register of the passage. Another pitfall is ignoring the subtle difference between cause markers like "because" and effect markers like "therefore". Developing sensitivity to such connectors is essential for understanding and writing academic English clearly.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is: therefore.