A teacher asks her learners to join sentences to make a short paragraph, inserting supplied connectors and coherence markers like (but, and, however, because, although, etc.)
What is this approach to writing known as ?

The correct option is Controlled-to-free writing approach.

Explanation:

In language teaching, the Controlled-to-free writing approach is a sequential method where learners start with highly structured, guided exercises before moving on to independent, creative writing.

In the initial phase (controlled writing), students perform specific, prescribed tasks such as joining given sentences using provided conjunctions and coherence markers (e.g., but, and, however, because, although), substituting words, or altering sentence structures. This helps them focus on accuracy, syntax, and logical flow without the cognitive load of generating original content from scratch.

As learners master these structural tools, the teacher gradually reduces guidance, leading to freer composition tasks. Thus, asking learners to join sentences with supplied connectors is a classic exercise within the controlled stage of the controlled-to-free writing approach.