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Question

Difficulty: Very hardEliminating Wordiness

Discovered in 1901 off the Greek island of Antikythera, the ancient bronze device known as the Antikythera mechanism has long puzzled historians. Scholars, who study historical artifacts, have conducted investigations into the device's intricate system of gears, and their research has ultimately revealed that it functioned as a sophisticated astronomical calendar.

Which of the following versions of the underlined portion best produces a clear, concise, and grammatically correct sentence?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. Investigations of the device's intricate gear system reveal that itAnswer
  3. C
    Scholars investigated the device's intricate gear system, they revealed that it
  4. D
    Investigating the device's gear system, which has revealed that it

Answer

Investigations of the device's intricate gear system reveal that it
The correct option is both grammatically correct and the most concise. It removes the redundant clause about scholars and uses a direct subject-verb relationship ('Investigations... reveal') to state the action clearly and efficiently.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the underlined portion for redundancy and wordiness.
The original phrasing contains redundant details, such as defining what scholars study, and uses a wordy, indirect structure to describe the research outcome.
ACT English questions prioritize clear, direct, and concise expressions over wordy structures.
2
Evaluate the grammar of the concise alternatives to avoid syntax errors.
The option beginning with 'Scholars investigated...' creates a comma splice. The option beginning with 'Investigating the device's...' results in a sentence fragment because it lacks a main predicate.
An option that eliminates wordiness but introduces a grammatical error is incorrect.
3
Select the option that is both concise and grammatically correct.
The phrasing that states 'Investigations of the device's intricate gear system reveal that it' is grammatically sound, direct, and free of redundant words.
This choice successfully streamlines the sentence while maintaining grammatical integrity.

Key Concept

Eliminating Wordiness
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Eliminating Wordiness

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