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Question 1361Question →

[1] In the early 2000s, physicist Carl Haber developed a non-contact method to recover audio from damaged historical recordings. [2] Traditional playback methods, which rely on a physical stylus tracing the grooves of a wax cylinder, risk destroying these fragile media. [3] Instead, Haber's system uses high-resolution digital cameras to scan the grooves and create a detailed three-dimensional map of the surface. [4] A software program then reconstructs the audio from this visual data, allowing archivists to play back sounds that were previously considered unrecoverable. [5] Most wax cylinders were manufactured between 1888 and 1929 and could hold about two minutes of audio. [6] This optical technology has successfully restored rare recordings of historical figures like Alexander Graham Bell and Florence Nightingale, preserving vital pieces of auditory history.

The writer is considering deleting Sentence 5 from the passage. Should the writer make this deletion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Yes, because the sentence interrupts the explanation of how Haber's technology works by introducing tangential details about the history and capacity of wax cylinders.

Answer

The sentence should be deleted because it interrupts the explanation of how the technology works by introducing tangential details about the history and capacity of wax cylinders.
The passage focuses on the development and application of Carl Haber's non-contact technology for restoring damaged historical recordings. Sentence 5, which discusses the manufacturing dates and recording capacities of wax cylinders, shifts the focus away from the technology itself and introduces details that are not necessary for understanding Haber's system. Therefore, the sentence should be deleted.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the main focus of the paragraph.
The paragraph introduces and explains Carl Haber's non-contact technology (using digital cameras and 3D mapping) to recover audio from damaged wax cylinders.
Understanding the paragraph's main focus is necessary to evaluate if Sentence 5 supports or distracts from it.
2
Analyze the content and function of Sentence 5.
Sentence 5 provides historical details about the manufacturing timeline (1888-1929) and recording capacity (two minutes) of wax cylinders.
Analyzing Sentence 5 shows its contribution to the passage.
3
Evaluate the relevance of Sentence 5.
The details in Sentence 5 are tangential to the explanation of the optical scanning technology. Deleting the sentence keeps the focus on how the technology works and its successful restoration cases.
This determines that the sentence is not relevant and should be deleted.

Key Concept

Evaluating the relevance of details when deciding whether to add or delete a sentence.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 1362Question →

Botanists conducting research in the tropical rainforest have documented a rare orchid that blooms only during heavy rainstorms. This delicate flower relies on rapid changes in humidity to trigger its blossoming. Scientists were totally psyched about the speed at which the petals unfolded once the storm began.

Which choice most effectively maintains the tone established in the passage?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: deeply fascinated by

Answer

The phrase 'deeply fascinated by' is correct because it maintains the objective, scientific tone established in the passage and uses the correct idiomatic preposition.
The phrase 'deeply fascinated by' maintains the objective, academic register established by words like 'conducting research' and 'documented,' while using the correct idiomatic preposition.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the tone of the surrounding sentences in the passage.
The sentences use formal, objective terminology such as 'Botanists,' 'research,' 'documented,' and 'delicate flower,' establishing a scientific tone.
To identify the appropriate level of formality required for the underlined portion.
2
Evaluate the answer choices against the established scientific tone.
The option 'deeply fascinated by' matches the tone perfectly. The original phrasing is too casual, the option starting with 'rendered speechless' is too dramatic and wordy, and the option ending with 'on' is grammatically incorrect.
To choose the option that is both stylistically consistent and grammatically correct.

Key Concept

Tone Consistency
Estimated Time:45s
Question 1363Question →

Passage Excerpt:

In 1843, mathematician Ada Lovelace published her extensive notes on Charles Babbage's proposed Analytical Engine. Lovelace’s notes contained what many historians consider to be the very first computer program: [underlined]an algorithm designed to calculate Bernoulli numbers[/underlined]. Despite the engine never being built, Lovelace’s vision was remarkably forward-thinking.

Question:
Which choice most effectively emphasizes the complexity and meticulous nature of Lovelace's programming work?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: a highly detailed, algebraic sequence of instructions written to calculate complex Bernoulli numbers

Answer

The choice describing the program as 'a highly detailed, algebraic sequence of instructions written to calculate complex Bernoulli numbers' is correct.
The correct choice is the option that describes the program as 'a highly detailed, algebraic sequence of instructions written to calculate complex Bernoulli numbers.' This choice is grammatically correct and uses terms such as 'highly detailed,' 'algebraic sequence,' and 'complex Bernoulli numbers' to directly highlight the complexity and meticulous nature of Lovelace's work.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the rhetorical goal specified in the question.
The goal is to emphasize the complexity and meticulous nature of Lovelace's programming work.
Understanding the specific rhetorical goal is required to evaluate which choice best satisfies the prompt.
2
Analyze each option for grammatical correctness and sentence structure.
The option containing 'a detailed sequence of instructions, it calculated Bernoulli numbers' is a comma splice, making it grammatically incorrect.
Eliminating grammatically incorrect choices helps narrow down the viable options.
3
Evaluate the remaining grammatically correct options based on their word choice and ability to convey complexity.
The choices describing a 'simple formula' and a 'standard mathematical formula' fail to convey complexity, whereas the correct choice uses terms like 'highly detailed,' 'algebraic sequence,' and 'complex' to meet the goal.
Comparing the specific connotations of the grammatically correct options identifies the one that best achieves the rhetorical purpose.

Key Concept

Meeting Specific Rhetorical Goals
Question 1364Question →

Evaluate each of the following mathematical expressions using the standard order of operations. Arrange the expressions in order from least to greatest value.

Drag items to arrange them in the correct order

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct order of the expressions from least to greatest value is: 2−3×4−(6+5)2 - 3 \times 4 - (6 + 5) (evaluates to −21-21), (2−3)×4−(6+5)(2 - 3) \times 4 - (6 + 5) (evaluates to −15-15), 2−(3×4−6)+52 - (3 \times 4 - 6) + 5 (evaluates to 11), and 2−3×(4−6)+52 - 3 \times (4 - 6) + 5 (evaluates to 1313).
Evaluating the four expressions using the correct order of operations (parentheses first, then multiplication, and finally addition/subtraction from left to right) gives the values −21-21, −15-15, 11, and 1313. Arranged from least to greatest, the correct order is 2−3×4−(6+5)2 - 3 \times 4 - (6 + 5) followed by (2−3)×4−(6+5)(2 - 3) \times 4 - (6 + 5), then 2−(3×4−6)+52 - (3 \times 4 - 6) + 5, and finally 2−3×(4−6)+52 - 3 \times (4 - 6) + 5.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate the expression 2−3×4−(6+5)2 - 3 \times 4 - (6 + 5).
−21-21
First evaluate the operations in parentheses: 6+5=116 + 5 = 11. Then perform multiplication: 3×4=123 \times 4 = 12. The expression is now 2−12−112 - 12 - 11. Perform subtraction from left to right: 2−12=−102 - 12 = -10, and −10−11=−21-10 - 11 = -21.
2
Evaluate the expression (2−3)×4−(6+5)(2 - 3) \times 4 - (6 + 5).
−15-15
First evaluate the operations in parentheses: 2−3=−12 - 3 = -1 and 6+5=116 + 5 = 11. The expression is now −1×4−11-1 \times 4 - 11. Perform multiplication: −1×4=−4-1 \times 4 = -4. Finally, perform subtraction: −4−11=−15-4 - 11 = -15.
3
Evaluate the expression 2−(3×4−6)+52 - (3 \times 4 - 6) + 5.
11
First evaluate inside the parentheses, performing multiplication before subtraction: 3×4=123 \times 4 = 12, and 12−6=612 - 6 = 6. The expression is now 2−6+52 - 6 + 5. Perform subtraction and addition from left to right: 2−6=−42 - 6 = -4, and −4+5=1-4 + 5 = 1.
4
Evaluate the expression 2−3×(4−6)+52 - 3 \times (4 - 6) + 5.
1313
First evaluate the subtraction in parentheses: 4−6=−24 - 6 = -2. The expression is now 2−3×(−2)+52 - 3 \times (-2) + 5. Next, perform multiplication: −3×(−2)=6-3 \times (-2) = 6. Finally, perform addition from left to right: 2+6+5=132 + 6 + 5 = 13.
5
Order the evaluated results from least to greatest.
−21<−15<1<13-21 < -15 < 1 < 13
Comparing the values: −21-21 is the smallest value, followed by −15-15, then 11, and 1313 is the largest value.

Key Concept

Evaluating arithmetic expressions containing multiple operations using PEMDAS order of operations.
Question 1365Question →

The following passage contains an underlined portion.

During the late nineteenth century, the Hudson River School painters captured the vastness of the American wilderness. Albert Bierstadt, an artist who traveled extensively throughout the American West depicted these rugged landscapes with dramatic light and sweeping detail, capturing the imagination of viewers who had never traveled beyond the East Coast. Today, his paintings remain iconic representations of the American frontier.

Which of the following choices represents the most grammatically correct punctuation for the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: an artist who traveled extensively throughout the American West,

Answer

The correct option is the one that includes a comma after the word 'West' to properly close the nonessential appositive phrase describing the artist.
The nonessential appositive phrase 'an artist who traveled extensively throughout the American West' describes the subject 'Albert Bierstadt.' Because the sentence already contains an opening comma before this phrase, a closing comma must be placed after 'West' to set it off. This correctly separates the parenthetical description from the main verb 'depicted.'

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the subject and verb of the main clause.
The subject is 'Albert Bierstadt' and the main verb is 'depicted.'
Locating the core subject and verb helps identify where modifying or parenthetical information starts and ends.
2
Determine if the underlined phrase is essential or nonessential to the sentence.
The phrase 'an artist who traveled extensively throughout the American West' is an appositive that provides additional descriptive details about Albert Bierstadt, which means it is nonessential (nonrestrictive).
Nonessential elements must be set off from the main clause by a pair of commas.
3
Check the surrounding punctuation to ensure the nonessential phrase is properly enclosed.
An opening comma is already present after 'Albert Bierstadt,' so a matching closing comma must be placed at the end of the phrase, directly after the word 'West.'
Using a single comma instead of a pair leaves the punctuation dangling and incorrectly merges the nonessential modifier with the predicate.

Key Concept

Nonessential elements, such as appositives and parenthetical phrases, must be set off from the main sentence by a pair of matching punctuation marks, usually commas.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 1366Question →

Consider the following passage:

The botanist carefully examined the rare flower which was a flower that was growing in the greenhouse and noted its unusual coloration.

Which choice for the underlined portion best eliminates wordiness while maintaining the meaning of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: growing in the greenhouse and

Answer

The correct option is 'growing in the greenhouse and', which is the most concise and direct phrasing that is grammatically correct.
The option 'growing in the greenhouse and' is correct because it expresses the relationship between the flower and the greenhouse in the fewest possible words while keeping the coordinating conjunction 'and' to connect the main verbs of the sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify wordiness and redundancy in the original underlined segment.
The phrase 'which was a flower' repeats the word 'flower' which is already the direct object of the verb 'examined', creating redundancy.
ACT English questions require eliminating unnecessary words and repetitions.
2
Evaluate the choices for conciseness and grammatical correctness.
The choice omitting the redundant noun and simplifying the verb structure to 'growing in the greenhouse and' is the most concise and grammatically correct option.
Conjunctions must be maintained to avoid comma splices while keeping the phrasing as brief as possible.

Key Concept

Eliminating wordiness and redundancy while maintaining proper grammatical structure.
Question 1367Question →

What is the value of the expression 5−3×(4−6)25 - 3 \times (4 - 6)^2?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: -7

Answer

The correct value is −7-7.
The correct value is −7-7. Following the order of operations (PEMDAS), we evaluate the terms inside the parentheses first: 4−6=−24 - 6 = -2. Next, we evaluate the exponent: (−2)2=4(-2)^2 = 4. After that, we perform the multiplication: 3×4=123 \times 4 = 12. Finally, we perform the subtraction: 5−12=−75 - 12 = -7.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate the subtraction inside the parentheses.
4−6=−24 - 6 = -2
Operations inside parentheses must be performed first.
2
Evaluate the exponent.
(−2)2=4(-2)^2 = 4
Exponents are evaluated after parentheses and before multiplication or division.
3
Perform the multiplication.
3×4=123 \times 4 = 12
Multiplication must be performed before subtraction.
4
Perform the final subtraction.
5−12=−75 - 12 = -7
Subtraction is performed last in this expression.

Key Concept

Order of Operations
Estimated Time:45s
Question 1368Question →

The following paragraph contains numbered sentences.

[1] During a winter trolley ride in New York City in 1902, Mary Anderson observed that the motorman had to keep the front window open, allowing sleet to blow inside, just to wipe the glass. [2] Upon returning to her home in Alabama, she began sketching designs for a mechanical, hand-operated blade that could clear a window from inside the vehicle. [3] This simple device, patented in 1903, consisted of a lever inside the car that controlled a rubber blade on the outside. [4] However, when she tried to sell the rights to her invention to a prominent firm in 1905, they rejected it. [5] Drivers, the company executives argued, would be dangerously distracted by the motion of the wiping mechanism.

To make the paragraph most logical, the following sentence:

"Their skepticism was rooted in a belief that the device posed a major safety hazard."

should be placed after which sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Sentence 4

Answer

Sentence 4
The correct option places the sentence after Sentence 4. Sentence 4 introduces a "prominent firm" that "rejected" Mary Anderson's invention. The target sentence's opening phrase, "Their skepticism," directly references the firm's rejection. Furthermore, the target sentence introduces the concern of a "safety hazard," which is then immediately explained in Sentence 5, where the executives argue that drivers would be "dangerously distracted."

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the pronouns and key transition words in the sentence to be placed.
The target sentence starts with "Their skepticism", indicating a need for a plural antecedent representing people who are skeptical, and a context where skepticism or rejection has occurred.
Tracking pronoun references and thematic links is essential for locating where a sentence fits naturally in a paragraph.
2
Scan the paragraph to find a logical antecedent for "Their" and a context of skepticism or rejection.
Sentence 4 mentions that "a prominent firm" (referred to as "they") rejected the invention in 1905. This provides both the plural antecedent ("they" / members of the firm) and the context of rejection/skepticism.
A sentence containing a specific pronoun and reaction must immediately follow the sentence that introduces the actors and their action.
3
Verify that the placement creates a smooth transition to the subsequent sentence.
The target sentence states that the skepticism was about a "safety hazard." The following sentence (Sentence 5) specifies this hazard: the belief that drivers would be "distracted by the motion of the wiping mechanism." The flow is logical and cohesive.
Ensuring the sentence fits both the preceding and succeeding contexts validates the correct placement.

Key Concept

Sentence Reordering and Placement
Question 1369Question →

For decades, the unsigned political pamphlet was attributed for a prominent senator, but recent analysis of the prose style suggests it was actually written by a local activist.

Which choice best fits the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: attributed to

Answer

attributed to
The correct answer is 'attributed to' because the verb 'attribute' idiomatically pairs with the preposition 'to' when indicating authorship or source. In this context, the sentence states that the political pamphlet was believed to be written by the senator, making 'attributed to' the only idiomatically correct and logical choice.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the grammatical and contextual relationship in the sentence.
The sentence discusses a political pamphlet whose authorship was historically credited to a senator, but is now believed to have been written by an activist.
Understanding the context helps determine which preposition correctly links the verb 'attributed' to the noun 'senator'.
2
Recall the correct idiomatic preposition for expressing authorship credit.
The verb 'attribute' requires the preposition 'to' when linking a creation to its creator (e.g., 'attributed to a senator').
Idiomatic word choice requires using standard prepositional collocations recognized in formal English.
3
Evaluate the distractors against the context.
'Attributed for' and 'attributed with' are unidiomatic, while 'attributed by' suggests the senator performed the action of attributing, which is illogical here.
Eliminating grammatically or contextually incorrect prepositions ensures the most precise and idiomatic choice is selected.

Key Concept

Idiomatic Preposition Collocations
Question 1370Question →

While studying the linguistic development of Old English, the researchers discovered that certain Celtic words had been integrated into the language; these words, which are currently used in our modern speech today, reflect early cultural exchanges.

Which of the following options is the most effective and concise correction for the underlined portion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: these words, used today, reflect

Answer

these words, used today, reflect
The correct option is the most concise choice that is grammatically correct and eliminates redundant language. The phrase 'used today, reflect' successfully removes the unnecessary repetition of 'currently' and 'modern' while maintaining the grammatical structure of the sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundancy in the underlined phrase.
The words 'currently,' 'modern,' and 'today' all convey the same concept of the present time, making them redundant when used together.
ACT English questions require eliminating unnecessary words that repeat information already expressed in the sentence.
2
Evaluate the grammar of the remaining options to ensure they form a complete, correctly punctuated sentence.
The option containing 'these words are currently used today, they reflect' is a comma splice, and the option containing 'these words, because they are used today, reflecting' results in a sentence fragment.
The correct answer must be grammatically correct while being as concise as possible.
3
Select the most concise option that is grammatically correct and preserves the meaning.
The option containing 'these words, used today, reflect' is both grammatically correct and completely free of redundancy.
It acts as a streamlined and effective correction.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 1371Question →

The following passage is from an essay on literary criticism. Which word most precisely and contextually fits the blank to maintain a formal, academic tone?

Fill in the blanks below

In her review of the historical biography, the critic noted that the author's writing style was not merely descriptive but excessively , crowded with redundant adjectives and flowery metaphors that ultimately obscured the narrative's progression.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The most precise and contextually appropriate word is 'florid' (or acceptable synonyms like 'verbose', 'turgid', 'grandiloquent', 'bombastic', or 'overwrought') because it directly describes a writing style that is excessively ornate or flowery.
The correct word must convey the idea of a writing style that is overly ornate, wordy, or flowery to match the clues 'redundant adjectives' and 'flowery metaphors' while maintaining a formal academic register. The word 'florid' is highly precise because it specifically describes literary prose that is excessively decorated or flowery. Synonyms like 'verbose', 'turgid', 'grandiloquent', and 'bombastic' are also correct as they precisely describe various forms of overblown or wordy writing styles that fit the formal register of the critique.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the clues in the sentence to determine the meaning of the required word.
The sentence describes a writing style that is 'crowded with redundant adjectives and flowery metaphors' and 'obscured the narrative's progression,' indicating a negative quality related to excess decoration and wordiness.
Understanding the context clues helps define the semantic profile of the missing word.
2
Evaluate the tone of the passage to choose a word with the correct register.
The passage uses formal academic language ('historical biography,' 'narrative's progression,' 'critic noted'), meaning the correct word must also be formal and literary rather than informal.
Maintaining consistent register is a core requirement of word precision on the ACT.
3
Select the word that most precisely fits the specific nature of the excess described.
The word 'florid' specifically means excessively ornate or flowery in style, which matches 'flowery metaphors' perfectly. Other academic terms like 'verbose' (too wordy) or 'turgid' (pompous and overcomplicated) are also highly precise and contextually appropriate.
This matches the target vocabulary with the contextual cues in the passage.

Key Concept

Word Precision and Clarity
Question 1372Question →

The sudden deterioration of the sixteenth-century painting was attributed to the high humidity levels in the gallery, which accelerated the breakdown of its organic pigments.

Which of the following choices best completes the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: NO CHANGE

Answer

NO CHANGE
The correct idiomatic expression is 'attributed to' when explaining that something is the cause of a particular result. The option 'NO CHANGE' correctly uses this preposition to show that the high humidity caused the painting to deteriorate.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the relationship between the deterioration of the painting and the high humidity levels.
The high humidity levels are identified as the cause of the deterioration.
This establishes that the sentence requires an idiomatic construction linking an effect to its cause.
2
Evaluate the idiom required for the verb 'attributed' in this context.
The correct preposition to pair with 'attributed' when linking an effect to its cause is 'to'.
English idiom rules require the pattern 'attribute [something] to [a cause]' or '[something] is attributed to [a cause]'.
3
Compare the options against the correct idiomatic form.
The option 'NO CHANGE' preserves 'attributed to', whereas the other options use incorrect prepositions ('from', 'by', 'with').
Selecting the correct preposition ensures the sentence is idiomatically and grammatically correct.

Key Concept

Idiomatic Preposition Usage
Question 1373Question →

Constructed from blocks of local limestone, the ancient pyramid stands as a monument to the builders who cooperatively worked together in collaboration.

Which of the following choices is the best replacement for the underlined portion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: who worked together

Answer

The choice 'who worked together' is correct because it is the most concise option that eliminates the redundant words while maintaining proper grammar.
The option 'who worked together' is correct because it removes the redundant synonyms 'cooperatively' and 'in collaboration' that repeat the meaning already expressed by 'worked together', resulting in a clear, concise, and grammatically correct sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the underlined portion and analyze it for redundant phrasing.
The words 'cooperatively', 'together', and 'in collaboration' all express the same concept of working jointly, creating unnecessary repetition.
ACT English rewards conciseness and clarity; expressing the same idea multiple times is incorrect.
2
Evaluate the remaining choices to find the one that is grammatically correct and free of redundancy.
The option 'who worked together' expresses the idea clearly and concisely. The option with 'they collaborated' creates a comma splice, and 'who, working together' creates an incomplete fragment.
This step ensures the selected choice is grammatically sound while avoiding redundant structures.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Estimated Time:40s
Question 1374Question →

The single-celled slime mold *Physarum polycephalum* lacks a brain, yet it can solve complex mazes to find food. As it moves, the organism deposits a trail of translucent secretion behind it. This extracellular slime, which contains a chemical compound that is soluble, helps the mold navigate by signaling which paths it has already explored.

Which of the following choices best punctuates the underlined portion of the passage?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: NO CHANGE

Answer

The correct choice is 'NO CHANGE' because it properly closes the nonessential clause with a comma while keeping the restrictive modifier free of punctuation.
The correct choice is the one that places a comma after 'soluble' to close the nonessential clause starting with 'which' without inserting commas around the restrictive modifier 'that is soluble.'

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the main subject and verb, and locate any intervening clauses.
The main subject is 'This extracellular slime' and the main verb is 'helps.' The clause 'which contains a chemical compound that is soluble' is an intervening nonessential element.
Nonessential relative clauses must be enclosed by a pair of commas to separate them from the main sentence structure.
2
Analyze the sub-clause 'that is soluble' to determine if it is restrictive or nonrestrictive.
The clause 'that is soluble' is restrictive because it restricts the meaning of 'compound' to a specific type, so it must not have commas around it.
Restrictive clauses are essential to the meaning of a sentence and should not be set off by commas.
3
Combine these punctuation decisions to find the correct choice.
A comma is required after 'soluble' to close the nonessential clause, and no commas should surround 'that is soluble.' This corresponds to 'NO CHANGE.'
This choice correctly coordinates the punctuation of both the nonessential relative clause and the restrictive clause.

Key Concept

Commas with Nonessential and Parenthetical Elements
Question 1375Question →

[1] In the late nineteenth century, cycling was a hazardous hobby dominated by the "penny-farthing," a bicycle with a massive front wheel and a tiny rear wheel. [2] Riders sat precariously high above the ground, making them prone to "headers"—dangerous forward falls over the handlebars. [3] Early bicycles did not have inflatable rubber tires, which were invented later by John Boyd Dunlop. [4] This structural hazard was resolved in 1885 when John Kemp Starley introduced the Rover Safety Bicycle. [5] Featuring two wheels of equal size and a chain drive, Starley’s design brought the rider closer to the ground, dramatically reducing injuries and initiating a global cycling boom.

The writer is considering deleting Sentence 3 from the passage. Should the writer make this deletion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Yes, because the sentence introduces an irrelevant detail about tire technology that interrupts the paragraph's focus on structural safety design.

Answer

Yes, because the sentence introduces an irrelevant detail about tire technology that interrupts the paragraph's focus on structural safety design.
The correct option is the choice stating that the sentence should be deleted because it introduces an irrelevant detail about tire technology that interrupts the paragraph's focus on structural safety design. The paragraph describes the physical danger of the high-wheeled penny-farthing and how the Rover Safety Bicycle resolved this danger. The mention of Dunlop's inflatable rubber tires is unrelated to this structural safety focus.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary topic and focus of the paragraph.
The paragraph focuses on the structural safety hazards of early high-wheel bicycles (penny-farthings) and how the equal-wheeled Rover Safety Bicycle resolved those dangers.
Understanding the paragraph's focus is essential to determine whether individual sentences contribute to or disrupt its overall unity.
2
Evaluate the relevance of Sentence 3 within the context of the paragraph.
Sentence 3 introduces the invention of inflatable rubber tires, which relates to riding comfort rather than the structural tipping hazard discussed in the other sentences.
This step determines whether the sentence provides necessary support or introduces a tangential, distracting concept.
3
Determine if the sentence should be kept or deleted, and select the option with the correct justification.
The sentence should be deleted because it interrupts the flow of the safety argument. The correct justification matches the option explaining that the detail about tire technology is irrelevant to the structural safety focus.
Matching the rhetorical decision with the correct logical justification ensures the choice aligns with ACT English standards.

Key Concept

Evaluating sentence relevance for addition or deletion based on paragraph unity and focus
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 1376Question →

She spent her days scouring the shoreline for fossils, which were ancient remains of prehistoric organisms that had died long ago, often risking her life to excavate them before the tides swept them away.

Which of the following is the most effective replacement for the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: fossils,

Answer

fossils,
The correct option, 'fossils,', is the most concise choice. It avoids redundancy since a 'fossil' by definition refers to the ancient remains of prehistoric organisms. Adding explanatory phrases like 'ancient remains of prehistoric organisms that had died long ago' is redundant and unnecessary.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundancy in the underlined portion of the sentence.
The word 'fossils' is defined as the preserved remains of prehistoric organisms. The descriptive clause 'which were ancient remains of prehistoric organisms that had died long ago' repeats this definition, making it redundant.
ACT English questions require eliminating redundant and repetitive information to keep sentences clear and concise.
2
Evaluate the grammar of the concise option and the other choices.
Replacing the underlined portion with just 'fossils,' eliminates the redundancy and maintains a grammatically correct sentence. The other options introduce comma splices or sentence fragments.
The correct answer must be both grammatically correct and free of unnecessary repetition.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 1377Question →

During night-time excursions along the coast of Puerto Rico, kayakers often witness a spectacular display. The water glows with a brilliant blue-green light whenever it is disturbed by a paddle. This phenomenon is caused by microscopic organisms known as dinoflagellates, which are tiny creatures that are too small to be seen without a microscope and emit light when agitated.

Which of the following choices, when replacing the underlined portion of the sentence, is the most concise and grammatically correct?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: which

Answer

The most concise and grammatically correct option is to simply use the relative pronoun 'which' to connect the clause to the verb.
The correct option is the relative pronoun 'which'. Since the sentence already establishes that the organisms are 'microscopic,' any additional description of their size is redundant. This option is grammatically correct and communicates the intended meaning in the fewest words possible.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundancy in the underlined portion.
The sentence already uses the word 'microscopic' to describe the dinoflagellates. Defining them as 'tiny creatures that are too small to be seen without a microscope' is completely redundant.
ACT English tests reward the most concise option that retains the original meaning and is grammatically correct.
2
Evaluate the remaining options for wordiness and grammatical correctness.
Using only 'which' removes all redundant information and allows the sentence to flow directly to the verb 'emit' while remaining grammatically sound.
Eliminating unnecessary words improves sentence flow and clarity.

Key Concept

Eliminating Wordiness and Redundancy
Estimated Time:45s
Question 1378Question →

Evaluate the following three mathematical expressions using the standard order of operations, and arrange them in order from least to greatest value.

Drag items to arrange them in the correct order

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct order of the expressions from least to greatest value is (12−4)÷2(12 - 4) \div 2 (value of 44), followed by 12÷(4−2)12 \div (4 - 2) (value of 66), and finally 12−4÷212 - 4 \div 2 (value of 1010).
Evaluating the expressions according to the order of operations results in values of 1010, 44, and 66. Since 4<6<104 < 6 < 10, the correct order from least to greatest value is (12−4)÷2(12 - 4) \div 2, then 12÷(4−2)12 \div (4 - 2), and lastly 12−4÷212 - 4 \div 2.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate 12−4÷212 - 4 \div 2.
The value is 1010.
Division has higher precedence than subtraction, so divide 44 by 22 first, then subtract from 1212.
2
Evaluate (12−4)÷2(12 - 4) \div 2.
The value is 44.
Parentheses have the highest precedence, so evaluate the subtraction inside first, then perform the division.
3
Evaluate 12÷(4−2)12 \div (4 - 2).
The value is 66.
Evaluate the subtraction inside the parentheses first, then divide 1212 by the result.
4
Compare the calculated values to order the expressions from least to greatest.
The order of values is 4<6<104 < 6 < 10.
Arranging the evaluated values in ascending order gives the correct sequence of the expressions.

Key Concept

The standard order of operations (PEMDAS) requires operations in parentheses to be performed first, followed by multiplication and division from left to right, and then addition and subtraction from left to right.
Question 1379Question →

As the restoration of the fourteenth-century fresco began, the conservators faced a daunting task: the original pigments had degraded so severely that the figures were barely visible. Rather than attempting to recreate the missing sections based on speculation, the team chose to apply a reversible archival glaze that would stabilize the remaining paint. This conservative methodology was intended to restrict future degradation without imposing modern interpretations onto the historic artwork.

Given the context of the passage, which choice most precisely and effectively conveys that the glaze was intended to prevent the future degradation of the fresco before it could occur?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: forestall

Answer

forestall
The word 'forestall' is the most precise choice because it means to prevent or obstruct an anticipated event or action by taking defensive measures beforehand. In this context, the conservators are applying an archival glaze to prevent further degradation before it can happen. The word fits both the formal tone of the passage and the specific temporal meaning of proactive prevention.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the sentence to determine the relationship between the glaze and the future degradation.
The sentence specifies that the glaze was intended to act against future degradation before it could occur.
Understanding the exact meaning needed helps in selecting the most precise vocabulary word.
2
Evaluate the options to find the word that means 'to prevent an anticipated event by taking action beforehand'.
The word 'forestall' means to prevent or obstruct an anticipated event beforehand. In contrast, 'restrict' means to limit, 'constrain' means to force or bind, and 'curtail' means to cut short something already in progress.
Selecting the option that matches both the definition and the formal tone of the passage.

Key Concept

Word Precision and Clarity
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 1380Question →

Many botanists study the Venus flytrap because of its unique ability to trap insects. This carnivorous plant captures its prey using specialized leaves that snap shut quickly in a rapid manner.

Which choice best maintains the meaning of the sentence while avoiding unnecessary redundancy?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: that snap shut quickly

Answer

that snap shut quickly
The correct answer is 'that snap shut quickly' because it is the most concise option that preserves the original meaning of the sentence. It removes the repetitive phrase 'in a rapid manner' which means the same thing as the adverb 'quickly.'

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundancy in the underlined phrase.
The phrase 'quickly in a rapid manner' contains two words/phrases that mean the same thing.
Recognizing that 'quickly' and 'rapid' are synonyms allows us to look for a choice that removes one of these repetitive terms.
2
Evaluate the remaining options for grammatical correctness and conciseness.
The option 'that snap shut quickly' is grammatically correct, preserves the meaning, and contains no redundancy.
The most concise option that is free of grammatical errors is always the correct choice on the ACT English section.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
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