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Concise writing favors direct phrasing, avoids redundancy, and maintains correct syntax. Option A replaces the wordy “Due to the fact that” with “Because,” removes “ended up,” and simplifies “at a later point in time” to “later,” producing a clear, grammatical complex sentence. Option B creates a comma splice by joining two independent clauses with a comma only. Option C still contains wordiness (“On account of,” “ended up”) and redundancy (“many of the participants”). Option D improves the opening but retains unnecessary wording (“ended up … at a later time”). On the HiSET Writing subtest, questions often test your ability to streamline sentences without losing meaning, choosing precise conjunctions (“because,” “since”) and eliminating filler. Clarity plus correctness determines the best revision, and A offers both by expressing cause and effect succinctly. Therefore, A is correct.