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5556 questions

Question 1381Question

The following passage contains an underlined portion.

Many historic lighthouses along the Atlantic coast are undergoing extensive restoration to repair the damage caused by decades of exposure to salt spray and high winds. At the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, it was decided by engineers that they would stabilize the sandy foundation, this process will prevent the structure from listing.

Which of the following represents the best replacement for the underlined portion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: engineers decided to stabilize the sandy foundation; this

Answer

The correct option is the one that uses active voice and a semicolon: 'engineers decided to stabilize the sandy foundation; this'
The correct option is active and concise, changing the passive 'it was decided by engineers' to the active 'engineers decided.' It also correctly uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify wordiness and passive constructions in the underlined segment.
The phrase 'it was decided by engineers that they would' is identified as wordy and passive compared to the active voice 'engineers decided'.
ACT English rewards concise and direct phrasing.
2
Analyze the grammatical structure and punctuation connecting the two clauses.
The two clauses are independent: 'engineers decided to stabilize the sandy foundation' and 'this process will prevent...'. A comma alone cannot join them, but a semicolon can.
Joining two independent clauses with only a comma creates a comma splice.

Key Concept

Eliminating wordiness and passive constructions in favor of concise, active phrasing while maintaining correct punctuation between independent clauses.
Question 1382Question

The bioluminescent lanternfish uses its glowing organ to attract prey in the midnight zone of the ocean. This unique adaptation currently helps the fish at this moment in time to navigate the pitch-black waters.

Which of the following choices is the most effective and concise revision of the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: This adaptation helps the fish

Answer

This adaptation helps the fish
The correct option is the most concise and grammatically correct choice. It successfully eliminates the redundant references to time ('currently' and 'at this moment in time') without altering the meaning of the passage.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundancy in the original underlined phrase.
The words 'currently' and the phrase 'at this moment in time' both indicate the present, creating unnecessary repetition.
ACT English rewards conciseness and clarity; removing redundant words is a primary goal on these questions.
2
Evaluate the remaining choices for conciseness and grammatical correctness.
The choice containing 'This adaptation helps the fish' removes all redundant words while maintaining a complete, grammatically correct sentence. The other options either retain the redundancy, create a comma splice, or result in a sentence fragment.
The correct answer must be free of grammatical errors and be the most concise option available.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Question 1383Question

A writer is editing a passage about early computer science and has drafted the following paragraph:

In the early 1950s, computer pioneer Grace Hopper worked on the UNIVAC I, one of the first commercial computers. At the time, programming required writing tedious machine code, which consisted entirely of numbers. Hopper believed that programming could be simplified if programmers could write instructions in English-like statements. This led her to develop the A-0 compiler, a groundbreaking program that translated mathematical code into machine-readable instructions. [5] Computer manufacturers in the mid-twentieth century were highly competitive, seeking to secure lucrative government contracts. Although her colleagues were initially skeptical of her idea, Hopper's innovation laid the foundation for modern programming languages.

The writer is considering deleting Sentence 5 from the paragraph. Should this sentence be deleted?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Yes, because it interrupts the paragraph's focus on Hopper's development of the compiler with irrelevant information about competition among manufacturers.

Answer

The sentence should be deleted because it interrupts the paragraph's focus on Hopper's development of the compiler with irrelevant details about manufacturer competition.
The option suggesting the sentence be deleted because it interrupts the focus on Hopper's compiler with details about manufacturer competition is correct. Sentence 5 shifts the focus from Hopper's programming innovation to industry business practices, making it irrelevant.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the main topic and focus of the paragraph.
The paragraph focuses on Grace Hopper's work on the UNIVAC I and her development of the A-0 compiler to make programming easier.
To establish a baseline of relevance for any sentence in the paragraph.
2
Evaluate the content of Sentence 5.
Sentence 5 discusses the competitiveness of computer manufacturers in the mid-twentieth century and their pursuit of government contracts.
To determine if the sentence aligns with the paragraph's main focus.
3
Determine whether the sentence should be kept or deleted, and select the correct explanation.
The sentence is irrelevant to Hopper's compiler development and should be deleted because it interrupts the paragraph's flow. The correct option is the one stating that it should be deleted because it interrupts the focus with irrelevant details about manufacturer competition.
To match the correct decision with the accurate rhetorical reasoning.

Key Concept

Evaluating Relevance for Adding or Deleting Content
Question 1384Question

The passage below contains an underlined portion.

Discovered in 1799 by French soldiers rebuilding a fort, the Rosetta Stone—a broken granodiorite stele inscribed with a royal decree, provided the key to deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs.

Which choice best punctuates the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Stone—a broken granodiorite stele inscribed with a royal decree—

Answer

Stone—a broken granodiorite stele inscribed with a royal decree—
The correct choice uses a matched pair of dashes to enclose the nonessential appositive phrase 'a broken granodiorite stele inscribed with a royal decree'. When setting off nonessential information within a sentence, punctuation must be consistent: dashes must be paired with dashes, commas with commas, or parentheses with parentheses.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the nonessential information in the sentence that acts as an appositive clarifying 'Rosetta Stone'.
The phrase 'a broken granodiorite stele inscribed with a royal decree' is nonessential and should be set off by matching punctuation marks.
Nonessential elements must be set off from the rest of the sentence using commas, parentheses, or dashes.
2
Analyze the punctuation surrounding the nonessential phrase to ensure consistency.
The original sentence opens the phrase with a dash but attempts to close it with a comma, which is inconsistent.
To maintain punctuation consistency, an opening dash must be paired with a closing dash.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the one that correctly uses a pair of dashes or a pair of commas without introducing fragments.
The choice that changes the closing comma to a dash matches the opening dash and correctly punctuates the sentence.
This maintains the grammatical integrity of the sentence and respects the dash-pair consistency rule.

Key Concept

Using consistent pairs of dashes to enclose nonessential parenthetical elements.
Question 1385Question

The city's transit authority announced that the new light rail system will currently operate on a daily basis every single day, providing residents with a reliable alternative to driving.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: operate daily

Answer

The correct option is the one that reads 'operate daily' because it eliminates the redundant repetitions of the daily schedule and avoids any grammatical errors.
The option that reads 'operate daily' is the correct choice because it is concise and grammatically correct. It eliminates the redundant repetitions of 'currently', 'on a daily basis', and 'every single day' while maintaining the original meaning of the sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify any redundant words or phrases in the underlined segment.
The underlined phrase contains 'currently', 'on a daily basis', and 'every single day', which all repeat the same concept of happening every day.
Redundancy is a grammatical error on the ACT where the same information is stated more than once unnecessarily.
2
Evaluate the choices for conciseness and grammatical correctness.
The option 'operate daily' expresses the entire thought clearly and concisely. The options containing extra clauses introduce comma splices or grammatical fragments.
The correct answer must be both grammatically correct and as concise as possible.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Question 1386Question

The archival team worked meticulously to preserve the author's original manuscript, knowing that even minor environmental shifts could alter the paper's chemical structure. While standard climate controls were sufficient for general storage, the most fragile drafts required a highly controlled environment. Consequently, the team decided to consign the papers to specialized anaerobic chambers to halt the degradation process.

Which choice provides the most precise and contextually appropriate word choice for the bolded portion of the passage?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: NO CHANGE

Answer

The choice that retains the original phrasing 'consign the papers to' is correct because 'consign' means to deliver or entrust someone or something to a safe location, which aligns with the archival preservation context.
The phrasing 'consign the papers to' is correct because 'consign' precisely means to deliver or hand over something to a safe place or custody, which matches the archival team's professional preservation effort. It also fits the formal and academic tone of the passage.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the sentence and the tone of the overall passage.
The passage discusses a professional archival team meticulously preserving a fragile manuscript, establishing a formal, academic tone.
Correct word choice must align with the established register and precise meaning required by the context.
2
Evaluate the word choices based on their definition and connotations.
'Consign' means to commit or deliver for safekeeping; 'relegate' means to demote to an inferior position; 'stash' is informal; 'allocate' means to distribute resources.
This step distinguishes the precise semantic differences among synonyms and related terms.
3
Select the choice that matches the meaning of delivering fragile items for protection in a formal tone.
The original phrasing 'consign the papers to' is the only option that is both semantically accurate and tonally appropriate.
The other options either introduce incorrect connotations or violate the formal register of the passage.

Key Concept

Selecting the most precise and tonally appropriate word based on the context of the passage.
Question 1387Question

In forest ecosystems, mycelium—the dense, underground network of fungal threads—decomposes organic matter and distributes nutrients among trees. This complex web [—which connects different plant species, allows] trees to share resources and communicate with one another in a form of symbiotic cooperation.

Which of the following choices best punctuates the underlined portion in brackets?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: —which connects different plant species—allows

Answer

—which connects different plant species—allows
The sentence contains a non-essential relative clause modifying 'web'. Non-essential elements must be set off by matching punctuation marks: two commas, two parentheses, or two em dashes. Since the clause is introduced with an em dash, it must be closed with a matching em dash before the main verb 'allows'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the syntactic role of the clause inside the brackets.
The clause 'which connects different plant species' is a non-essential relative clause that modifies the subject 'This complex web'.
Identifying if a modifier is non-essential determines if it requires paired punctuation.
2
Evaluate the punctuation consistency.
The clause begins with an em dash, so it must be terminated with a matching em dash before the main verb 'allows'.
Setting off parenthetical information requires consistent punctuation marks (two dashes, two commas, or two parentheses) rather than mismatched marks like a dash and a comma.

Key Concept

Dashes
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 1388Question

Because fresco paintings are applied directly to wet plaster, they are especially susceptible of damage from moisture fluctuations in the surrounding gallery. Conservators must therefore monitor relative humidity levels with extreme precision.

Which choice is correct?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: susceptible to

Answer

susceptible to
The correct answer is 'susceptible to' because the adjective 'susceptible' requires the preposition 'to' to form a grammatically correct idiomatic construction in English when designating a source of vulnerability.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the adjective in the underlined portion and analyze its relationship to the noun 'damage'.
The adjective is 'susceptible', expressing vulnerability or open exposure to harm.
This helps determine the correct preposition needed to connect the adjective to its object.
2
Evaluate the idiomatic preposition required by standard English conventions following 'susceptible'.
The standard English idiom is 'susceptible to' followed by the source of vulnerability.
Other preposition options such as 'of', 'for', and 'with' do not form standard idiomatic collocations with 'susceptible' in this context.

Key Concept

Idiomatic Preposition Usage
Question 1389Question

The following paragraph contains numbered sentences.

[1] Beneath the forest floor, a vast network of fungal threads, or mycelium, links the roots of neighboring trees. [2] Through this underground system, trees are able to share essential nutrients and water with one another. [3] The largest and oldest trees, often called "mother trees," use this network to support younger saplings in the shaded undergrowth. [4] In addition, scientists discovered that trees use the network to send distress signals about pest infestations. [5] This cooperative exchange ensures the survival of the entire forest community rather than just individual trees.

For the sake of the logic and coherence of the paragraph, the following sentence should be added:

"Upon receiving these warning chemical signals, neighboring trees immediately begin producing defensive compounds to ward off the insects."

Where is the most logical placement for this sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: After Sentence 4

Answer

After Sentence 4
The correct placement is after Sentence 4. Sentence 4 introduces 'distress signals about pest infestations,' which directly supports and defines 'these warning chemical signals' and 'the insects' mentioned in the added sentence. Placing it here also allows Sentence 5 to logically summarize both nutrient sharing and defense cooperation as parts of the 'cooperative exchange.'

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the added sentence to identify transition words, pronouns, or nouns that require preceding context.
The added sentence refers to 'these warning chemical signals' and 'the insects,' which implies that a previous sentence must mention signals and some kind of pest.
Identifying these key nouns helps narrow down where the sentence can be logically placed.
2
Scan the paragraph to locate where these concepts are first introduced.
Sentence 4 introduces the idea that trees send 'distress signals' about 'pest infestations.'
This sentence provides the necessary logical and grammatical antecedents for 'these warning chemical signals' and 'the insects' in the added sentence.
3
Verify that the flow of the entire paragraph remains coherent with the new sentence inserted.
Sentence 4 states that signals are sent, the new sentence explains how neighboring trees react to those signals, and Sentence 5 summarizes the overall 'cooperative exchange.' The paragraph flows chronologically and logically.
Ensuring the overall paragraph structure works confirms the correct placement.

Key Concept

Sentence Reordering and Placement
Estimated Time:1m 15s
Question 1390Question

Many modern ecologists argue that the introduction of non-native species often disrupts local ecosystems, causing a disturbance that upsets the natural balance that previously existed beforehand.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: altering the natural balance

Answer

altering the natural balance
The correct option, which replaces the underlined text with 'altering the natural balance', is the most concise choice. It successfully eliminates the redundant phrasing of the original sentence without introducing any grammatical errors.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the underlined portion of the sentence for redundancy.
Identify that 'causing a disturbance' and 'upsets' repeat the concept of 'disrupts' in the main clause, and 'previously' and 'beforehand' are redundant synonyms.
Redundancy must be eliminated to make the sentence concise and clear.
2
Evaluate the remaining options for grammatical correctness and conciseness.
The option stating 'altering the natural balance, this disrupts the food web' introduces a comma splice. The option stating 'altering the natural balance. Because they compete for resources' introduces a sentence fragment. The option stating 'altering the natural balance' is both grammatically correct and concise.
The correct choice must eliminate redundancy while maintaining proper sentence structure.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 1391Question

Passage

Modern infrastructure relies heavily on concrete, a material prone to developing microscopic cracks over time due to weathering and tension. Although these tiny fissures may seem harmless at first, they allow moisture and harmful chemicals to seep into the structure, which eventually corrodes the internal steel reinforcement. [1] Nevertheless, materials scientists have developed a self-healing concrete that utilizes bacteria to repair these cracks from the inside. The concrete is mixed with dormant bacterial spores and nutrients that remain inactive until a crack forms and water enters. Upon contact with moisture, the bacteria wake up and produce limestone, effectively sealing the gap before structural damage can occur.

Question

Which choice provides the most logical transition from the preceding sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: In response,

Answer

In response,
The transition 'In response,' correctly establishes the cause-and-effect relationship between the problem described in the previous sentence (corrosion of steel reinforcement due to water seeping into cracks) and the solution introduced in the current sentence (the development of self-healing concrete by materials scientists).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the relationship between the sentence preceding the transition and the sentence containing the transition.
The preceding sentence describes a problem: moisture seeping into cracks in concrete and corroding its steel reinforcement. The subsequent sentence describes a solution: scientists developing a self-healing concrete that repairs these cracks.
Identifying the logical relationship between the two thoughts is necessary to choose the correct transitional phrase.
2
Evaluate the options to determine which transition best reflects this relationship.
The transition 'In response,' indicates that the action in the second sentence was taken as a reaction to the problem in the first sentence. The other options establish incorrect relationships: 'Nevertheless' indicates contrast, 'For example' indicates illustration, and 'Furthermore' indicates addition.
Only the transition that correctly connects the problem to its solution is logically appropriate.

Key Concept

Sentence-Level Transitions
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 1392Question

The following passage is about museum curators preserving historical documents.

Archivists working at the National Museum must handle fragile historical documents with extreme care. Because exposure to light and humidity can cause irreversible damage, these professionals wear protective gloves and work in climate-controlled environments. By preserving these artifacts, curators ensure that future generations can dig up the stories of the past.

Which choice best maintains the established tone of the passage?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: uncover

Answer

uncover
The option 'uncover' fits the passage's formal and professional tone without being overly flowery or informal, maintaining stylistic consistency with terms like 'climate-controlled environments.'

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the tone of the surrounding passage.
The passage uses words like 'fragile,' 'irreversible damage,' and 'climate-controlled environments,' establishing a formal, objective, and professional tone.
Understanding the established tone of the passage allows you to select a word that matches that tone register.
2
Evaluate the choices against the established tone.
The choice 'uncover' is the only option that is grammatically correct and matches the professional tone. 'Dig up' is too casual, 'comprehend and elucidate' is overly formal, and 'delve on' uses an incorrect preposition.
Eliminating options that violate tone consistency or grammatical idioms leaves the correct answer.

Key Concept

Tone Consistency
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 1393Question

In an effort to retain its most productive faculty, the university announced a new grant structure designed to ensure that research funding is commiserate with the scope and anticipated impact of each department's projects.

Which choice represents the correct idiomatic phrasing for the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: commensurate with

Answer

commensurate with
The sentence requires a word that means proportional or corresponding in size, which is 'commensurate'. In standard English usage, 'commensurate' must be paired with the preposition 'with' to form the correct idiomatic expression 'commensurate with'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the meaning required by the sentence context.
The sentence describes funding that matches or is proportional to the scope of research projects. The word 'commiserate' means to sympathize or feel pity, whereas 'commensurate' means corresponding in size or degree. Therefore, 'commensurate' is the correct vocabulary word.
Establishing the correct vocabulary word is necessary to resolve the homophone confusion.
2
Determine the correct idiomatic preposition that pairs with 'commensurate'.
In standard written English, the adjective 'commensurate' is idiomatically followed by the preposition 'with' (e.g., 'commensurate with'). Pairing it with 'to' is non-standard and incorrect.
Identifying the correct prepositional collocation ensures the phrase is grammatically and idiomatically precise.

Key Concept

Idiomatic Word Choice
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 1394Question

In the early nineteenth century, a Cherokee silversmith named Sequoyah became convinced that written communication was the key to his people’s long-term independence. Despite widespread skepticism from his community, he spent years developing a written language. Initially, Sequoyah attempted to create a unique pictograph for every word in the Cherokee language. However, this approach proved impractical due to the thousands of distinct symbols required. Realizing that spoken words could be broken down into repeating sounds, he abandoned pictographs and instead designed a syllabary of eighty-five characters representing all the consonant-vowel combinations in the language.

The writer is considering adding the following sentence to the end of the paragraph:

"Within a few years of the syllabary’s completion, the Cherokee Nation established a bilingual newspaper and achieved a literacy rate higher than that of neighboring communities."

Should the writer make this addition?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Yes, because it illustrates the successful implementation and impact of the writing system Sequoyah developed.

Answer

Yes, because it illustrates the successful implementation and impact of the writing system Sequoyah developed.
The correct answer is correct because the proposed sentence demonstrates the direct, successful outcome of Sequoyah's efforts to establish a writing system, directly supporting the paragraph's opening assertion that written communication was the key to Cherokee independence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the main focus and theme of the paragraph.
The paragraph describes Sequoyah's goal to develop a written language to help Cherokee independence, his process, and his final success in creating an eighty-five-character syllabary.
To evaluate relevance, you must first understand the purpose and scope of the existing text.
2
Evaluate the proposed sentence for relevance to this focus.
The proposed sentence states that the syllabary's completion led to a bilingual newspaper and higher literacy rates for the Cherokee Nation.
This step determines whether the sentence contributes logically to the paragraph's theme or introduces an unnecessary distraction.
3
Assess the rhetorical impact of adding the sentence.
The addition shows the real-world success of Sequoyah's invention, validating the opening assertion that written communication was key to the nation's independence. Therefore, it should be added, and the correct option must state 'Yes' with this justification.
This final step connects the decision to the correct pedagogical justification.

Key Concept

Evaluating Relevance for Adding or Deleting Content
Question 1395Question

To ensure unbiased results, the researchers conducted the clinical trial under conditions that were independent of any direct influence from the pharmaceutical sponsors.

Which choice best maintains standard idiomatic English usage for the underlined portion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: NO CHANGE

Answer

The original phrasing 'independent of' is correct because 'independent of' is the standard idiomatic expression for describing something that is free from the influence or control of something else.
The phrase 'independent of' is the standard idiomatic construction in English used to describe something that is free from the influence, control, or connection of another entity. In this context, the trial conditions must be free from the influence of the sponsors, making the original phrasing correct.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the relationship between 'independent' and the following prepositional phrase.
The sentence indicates that the clinical trial conditions were free from the influence of the pharmaceutical sponsors.
This establishes that we need a preposition that idiomatically denotes a lack of control or connection.
2
Evaluate the choices against standard English idiomatic usage.
Standard idiomatic English pairs the adjective 'independent' with the preposition 'of' when expressing freedom from influence. This makes 'independent of' the correct choice.
This eliminates the other options, which use incorrect prepositions or confused words.

Key Concept

Idiomatic Preposition Usage
Question 1396Question

The restoration project for the historic lighthouse initially began at the very start in the spring of 1999, but due to budget constraints, the work was not completed until 2004.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: began in

Answer

began in
The correct answer is the option that simply states the project 'began in' the spring. This choice successfully removes the redundant references to the start of the project ('initially' and 'at the very start') while maintaining the grammatical structure of the sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundancy in the underlined segment.
The words 'initially,' 'began,' and 'at the very start' all mean the same thing, indicating that the sentence repeats the idea of beginning unnecessarily.
ACT English questions test for conciseness; expressing the same concept multiple times in one phrase is incorrect.
2
Evaluate the remaining choices for grammar and clarity.
The option containing 'began, it started in' is a comma splice, and 'initially beginning in' turns the main clause into a fragment by omitting a main verb.
Eliminating redundancy should not introduce new grammatical errors like comma splices or sentence fragments.
3
Select the most concise option that is grammatically correct.
The option 'began in' is the most direct, grammatically correct, and non-redundant choice.
This option expresses the intended meaning of when the project started using the minimum number of words necessary.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Estimated Time:45s
Question 1397Question

What is the value of the expression 8611|-8| - |6 - 11|?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: 3

Answer

3
To find the value of the expression, first simplify the expression inside the absolute value bars: 611=56 - 11 = -5. Next, apply the definition of absolute value, which makes any value non-negative: 8=8|-8| = 8 and 5=5|-5| = 5. Finally, subtract the two values: 85=38 - 5 = 3.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate the subtraction inside the second absolute value grouping.
611=56 - 11 = -5
Operations inside grouping symbols, such as parentheses or absolute value bars, must be performed first.
2
Apply the absolute value operation to both terms.
8=8|-8| = 8 and 5=5|-5| = 5
The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero, which is always non-negative.
3
Substitute the evaluated absolute values back into the expression and subtract.
85=38 - 5 = 3
Complete the final subtraction operation as indicated by the expression.

Key Concept

Absolute value acts as a grouping symbol in the order of operations, and the absolute value of any real number is non-negative.
Estimated Time:45s
Question 1398Question

To restore the Renaissance fresco, conservators utilized microscopic analysis to identify the original chemical composition of the pigments. By carefully matching the historical paint, they ensured that the repaired sections merged seamlessly with the surviving artwork, thereby preserving the historical integrity of the chapel.

Which choice best maintains the established tone of the passage?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: NO CHANGE

Answer

The correct option is 'NO CHANGE' because it maintains the formal, objective, and academic tone established in the passage.
The correct option, 'NO CHANGE,' preserves the formal, professional, and objective tone established throughout the passage.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the tone established by the surrounding sentences in the passage.
The sentences use formal, scientific, and professional vocabulary such as 'utilized microscopic analysis,' 'chemical composition,' and 'historical integrity.'
Determining the register of the passage is necessary to ensure the chosen option matches this style.
2
Evaluate each option against the identified formal tone and check for grammatical correctness.
The option 'NO CHANGE' (which is 'thereby preserving') is grammatically correct and matches the academic tone. The other options either introduce informal slang, overly archaic language, or grammatical errors.
This guarantees that the final sentence is both grammatically sound and stylistically consistent with the rest of the text.

Key Concept

Tone consistency in writing requires choosing words that align with the established formality or informality of the surrounding text.
Question 1399Question

The following passage contains an underlined portion.

In 1900, physicist Wallace Sabine revolutionized architectural acoustics during the construction of Boston Symphony Hall. Prior to Sabine’s work, designers relied on guesswork, which often resulted in concert halls with poor sound quality. Sabine, however, calculated the exact rate of reverberation, a process that was done by him through analyzing and studying the absorption properties of various different materials. As a result, Boston Symphony Hall became the first auditorium designed with scientifically formulated acoustics.

Which of the following choices most effectively refines the underlined portion of the passage by eliminating wordiness while maintaining grammatical correctness?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: reverberation by analyzing the absorption properties of various materials

Answer

reverberation by analyzing the absorption properties of various materials
The correct option, which reads 'reverberation by analyzing the absorption properties of various materials', is the most concise and direct choice. It uses the active voice ('by analyzing') and removes the redundant word pairs 'analyzing and studying' and 'various different' from the original sentence, while maintaining perfect grammatical structure.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the underlined portion in the original sentence for wordiness, redundancy, and passive voice.
The phrase 'a process that was done by him through analyzing and studying the absorption properties of various different materials' is identified as wordy and redundant.
Identifying these stylistic flaws establishes that a revision is necessary.
2
Evaluate the option that resolves wordiness but introduces a grammatical error.
The option containing 'reverberation, he analyzed the absorption properties of various materials' is shorter but joins two independent clauses with only a comma, creating a comma splice.
Revision choices must be both concise and grammatically correct.
3
Evaluate the option that retains wordy and redundant language.
The option containing 'reverberation, which was achieved by him through analyzing and studying the absorption properties of different materials' fails to eliminate the passive voice and the redundant phrase 'analyzing and studying'.
An effective revision must fully resolve stylistic issues like redundancy.
4
Confirm the grammatical correctness and conciseness of the remaining option.
The option containing 'reverberation by analyzing the absorption properties of various materials' is active, direct, and free of grammatical errors.
This is the most effective choice as it is concise and grammatically sound.

Key Concept

Eliminating Wordiness
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 1400Question

The following passage is about the development of the periodic table.

In 1869, the Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev published his first version of the periodic table. He organized the elements by their atomic masses, leaving gaps for elements that had not yet been discovered. The predicted elements, which Mendeleev described in detail were later isolated and found to match his predictions with remarkable accuracy.

Which choice best punctuates the underlined portion of the passage?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: elements, which Mendeleev described in detail,

Answer

elements, which Mendeleev described in detail,
The clause 'which Mendeleev described in detail' is nonessential because the noun phrase it modifies, 'The predicted elements,' is already specific. Therefore, the clause must be enclosed by a pair of commas. The option containing a comma after both 'elements' and 'detail' is correct.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the clause within the sentence structure.
The clause 'which Mendeleev described in detail' modifies 'predicted elements'.
Determining the boundary of the clause helps determine where punctuation is needed.
2
Determine if the clause is essential (restrictive) or nonessential (nonrestrictive).
The clause is nonessential because 'predicted elements' already clearly specifies which elements are being discussed; removing the clause does not change the core meaning of the sentence.
Nonessential elements must be set off with punctuation, whereas essential elements should not be punctuated.
3
Apply the correct punctuation rule for nonessential relative clauses.
The relative clause must be enclosed by a pair of commas (one before 'which' and one after 'detail').
Using a pair of commas correctly isolates the parenthetical information without interrupting the flow of the main sentence.

Key Concept

Nonessential (parenthetical) relative clauses must be set off by a pair of commas.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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