Knowledge of Language

330 questions

Question 81Question

As global temperatures rise, many alpine glaciers are retreating backward in a reverse direction, and this movement leaves behind barren valleys of exposed rock.

Which of the following choices is the best edit to the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: retreating, leaving

Answer

retreating, leaving
The correct option is the most concise choice because it removes the redundant synonyms 'backward' and 'in a reverse direction' (since 'retreating' already means moving back) and grammatically connects the clauses using the participle 'leaving' without creating a comma splice or fragment.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify any redundant expressions or unnecessary wordiness in the underlined portion of the sentence.
The words 'backward' and 'in a reverse direction' repeat the meaning already contained in the verb 'retreating' (which means to move back or withdraw).
Eliminating redundant synonyms is necessary to make the sentence concise and clear, which is a key requirement of the ACT English section.
2
Evaluate the remaining options for grammatical correctness and punctuation.
The option with the participial phrase 'leaving' is both concise and grammatically correct. The option that creates a comma splice and the option that creates an ungrammatical fragment are incorrect.
The correct choice must not only eliminate redundancy but also maintain proper sentence structure without introducing grammatical errors.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Question 82Question

Each autumn, millions of monarch butterflies embark on a long migration to central Mexico. During the time when they are flying on this journey, they rely on warm wind currents to glide through the air.

Which choice is the most concise and grammatically correct option for the underlined portion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: While flying

Answer

While flying
The option 'While flying' is correct because it is the most concise choice that preserves the temporal context and grammatical integrity of the sentence without adding redundant details.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Read the sentence and evaluate the underlined portion for unnecessary words, repetition, or passive structures.
The original phrase 'During the time when they are flying on this journey' is unnecessarily long and expresses an idea that can be stated much more directly.
ACT English rewards concise and direct phrasing that maintains the original meaning of the passage.
2
Evaluate the choices to find the one that is the most concise while remaining grammatically correct.
The option 'While flying' is short, direct, grammatically correct, and fits perfectly into the sentence. The option 'While flying, which' introduces a grammatical error that creates a fragment. The option using passive voice adds wordiness.
Identifying the option that is both grammatically correct and the most concise determines the correct answer.

Key Concept

Eliminating Wordiness
Question 83Question

During a winter trip to New York City in 1903, Mary Anderson noticed that the streetcar driver had to open the front window pane constantly to wipe away the falling sleet. Upon returning to Alabama, she designed a manually operated swinging arm with a rubber blade [1]that was designed by her to clear away rain and snow from windshields in order to solve the visibility problem. Anderson was granted a patent for her device in 1903, but car manufacturers initially saw little commercial value in it.

Which choice most effectively and concisely replaces the underlined portion labeled [1]?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: to clear rain and snow from windshields

Answer

to clear rain and snow from windshields
The correct option is the most concise and direct phrasing that preserves the original meaning and is grammatically correct. Using the active infinitive phrase 'to clear' avoids the wordiness and passive construction of the original phrasing.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundant and wordy parts of the underlined portion.
The phrase 'that was designed by her' is redundant because the sentence already starts with 'she designed.' The phrase 'in order to solve the visibility problem' is wordy and adds unnecessary detail.
Redundancy and wordiness must be eliminated to match the conciseness standards of the ACT.
2
Evaluate the grammatical correctness of the remaining options.
The option starting with '. Because' creates a sentence fragment. The option starting with ', this device' creates a comma splice. The option starting with 'to clear' is grammatically correct and concise.
The correct choice must be both grammatically correct and concise.

Key Concept

Eliminating Wordiness
Estimated Time:45s
Question 84Question

To understand the migration patterns of monarch butterflies, scientists track the insects' movements using lightweight radio transmitters. The research team collaborated together in joint cooperation to map the specific routes across North America.

Which of the following options, when substituted for the underlined portion, makes the sentence grammatically correct and free of unnecessary redundancy?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: collaborated

Answer

collaborated
The correct choice is the single word 'collaborated'. It successfully communicates that the research team worked together without using repetitive synonyms like 'together' or 'joint cooperation'. In English, 'collaborate' inherently means to work together, making any additional words expressing collaboration redundant.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the underlined portion and analyze it for redundant phrasing.
The phrase 'collaborated together in joint cooperation' is identified as containing multiple words with identical meanings ('collaborated', 'together', 'joint', 'cooperation').
Eliminating redundant words is necessary to make the sentence concise and clear, which is a primary focus of ACT English.
2
Evaluate the choices to find the one that is grammatically correct and removes all redundant elements.
The single word 'collaborated' conveys the full intended meaning without any repetition.
Choosing the most concise, grammatically correct option ensures the sentence is clear and direct.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Question 85Question

Many literary historians regard the author's diary to be a crucial resource for understanding the social dynamics of the era. Which choice is the best replacement for the underlined portion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: regard the author's diary as

Answer

regard the author's diary as
The correct option correctly uses the idiomatic construction 'regard [something] as [something else]'. In English, the verb 'regard' is idiomatically paired with 'as' to show how something is perceived, rather than using 'to be' or 'like'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the verb and the relationship being established in the sentence.
The verb is 'regard', which is used to express how literary historians perceive the author's diary.
Recognizing the core verb helps determine the appropriate idiomatic preposition or structure that must follow it.
2
Evaluate the idiom required by the verb 'regard'.
The standard English idiom is 'regard [noun] as [noun/adjective]'. Using 'to be', 'like', or 'to being' is unidiomatic.
Applying standard idiomatic conventions allows us to select the correct phrasing.

Key Concept

Idiomatic word choice involving the verb 'regard'
Estimated Time:45s
Question 86Question

Determined to find a more efficient catalyst, the chemists adjusted the temperature of the reaction vessel; consequently, the subsequent outcome resulted in a significant yield increase.

Which of the following choices best replaces the underlined portion to make the sentence clear, concise, and grammatically correct?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: consequently, this change resulted in a

Answer

The correct answer is the option that replaces the underlined text with 'consequently, this change resulted in a'.
The correct choice, 'consequently, this change resulted in a', resolves the redundancy by expressing the cause-and-effect relationship cleanly. Furthermore, it fulfills the punctuation requirement of the semicolon by forming a grammatically complete independent clause containing the subject 'this change' and the active verb 'resulted'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the underlined portion for redundancy.
The words 'consequently' (as a result), 'subsequent' (following), and 'resulted in' (caused) all express the exact same causal link, making the phrase redundant.
Identifying redundancy helps eliminate wordy and repetitive options.
2
Check the surrounding grammatical structure, focusing on the semicolon.
The semicolon separates two independent clauses, meaning the replacement text must form a complete independent clause with a subject and a verb.
A semicolon requires complete thoughts on both sides to avoid fragments.
3
Evaluate the non-redundant options for grammatical correctness.
The shortest option 'resulting in a' creates a sentence fragment after the semicolon. The option 'consequently, this change, resulting in a' also forms a fragment due to the lack of a main verb. Only 'consequently, this change resulted in a' is both grammatically correct and concise.
Selecting the most concise option is only valid if the option remains grammatically correct.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy with Punctuation Constraints
Estimated Time:45s
Question 87Question

Early pencils were crude, consisting of graphite chunks wrapped in string. Later, Italian artisans pioneered the method of hollow-carving wooden sticks, and it was into these wooden sticks that they inserted the graphite. Today, pencils are manufactured worldwide using a blend of graphite and clay to create different levels of hardness.

Which of the following is the most effective edit to the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: sticks, into which they inserted the graphite.

Answer

sticks, into which they inserted the graphite.
The correct option is the most concise and direct phrasing that maintains the grammatical structure of the sentence. Using 'into which they inserted' avoids repeating 'wooden sticks' and correctly links the relative clause to the preceding noun.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the underlined portion for wordiness, redundancy, and grammatical errors.
The original phrasing 'and it was into these wooden sticks that they inserted the graphite' repeats 'wooden sticks' unnecessarily and uses an overly long structure.
Identifying redundancy and wordiness helps narrow down choices to the most concise option.
2
Evaluate the remaining options for grammatical correctness and conciseness.
The option ending in a comma splice and the option ending in a sentence fragment are grammatically incorrect. The relative pronoun option is correct and concise.
An answer choice on the ACT must be both grammatically correct and free of wordiness.

Key Concept

Eliminating Wordiness
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 88Question

In the early twentieth century, the discovery of the Antikythera mechanism—an ancient Greek analog computer—challenged previous assumptions about historical technology. This unique artifact, which was one of a kind and unlike any other object from its era, demonstrated a level of mechanical sophistication that was not seen again for over a thousand years.

Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion is the most concise and grammatically correct?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: This unique artifact

Answer

This unique artifact
The correct option is 'This unique artifact' because it is the most concise and grammatically correct choice. The word 'unique' already means 'one of a kind' and 'unlike any other,' so including those phrases is redundant. Removing them preserves the intended meaning of the sentence without unnecessary repetition.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundancy in the underlined phrase.
The original phrase uses 'unique,' 'one of a kind,' and 'unlike any other object from its era' together. Since these terms all express the same basic idea, they are redundant.
Concision is a key grammatical standard on the ACT; redundant phrasing must be eliminated.
2
Evaluate the remaining options for grammatical correctness and sentence structure.
The option beginning with 'Although' creates a dependent clause fragment. The option containing 'unique, it' joins two independent clauses with only a comma, creating a comma splice. The option stating 'This unique artifact' is both concise and grammatically correct.
An answer choice must not only be concise but must also adhere to standard conventions of sentence structure and formation.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 89Question

Although the artist's early paintings were dismissed by critics, her later masterpieces gained recognition and won widespread acclaim, being praised by many, they established her as a leading figure of the modernist movement.

Which of the following is the best way to write the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: gained widespread acclaim, establishing

Answer

gained widespread acclaim, establishing
The correct option is the most concise choice that avoids redundancy. It eliminates the repetitive phrases expressing positive recognition and correctly connects the main clause to the modifying participial phrase with a comma.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify any redundant or repetitive phrasing in the underlined portion.
The phrases 'gained recognition', 'won widespread acclaim', and 'being praised by many' all repeat the same core concept of receiving positive attention.
ACT English questions require eliminating redundant and wordy expressions to maintain conciseness.
2
Evaluate the remaining choices for conciseness while ensuring grammatical correctness.
The option containing 'gained widespread acclaim, establishing' is the most concise and is grammatically correct, using a comma followed by a present participle to modify the main clause.
The correct choice must not introduce new grammatical errors such as fragments or comma splices.
3
Check the other choices for grammatical issues.
The option with a semicolon before 'establishing' creates a sentence fragment because a semicolon must separate two independent clauses. The option with 'they established' after a comma creates a comma splice by joining two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.
This confirms that only the correct choice is both grammatically correct and free of redundancy.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Question 90Question

To prevent the spread of the virus, health officials recommended that individuals abbreviate their public gatherings and work from home whenever possible. Since crowded spaces facilitate transmission, reducing interpersonal contact is paramount. Consequently, local governments have also suspended large-scale events.

Which choice is the most precise and appropriate word to replace the bolded word in the passage?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: curtail

Answer

curtail
The word 'curtail' is correct because it means to reduce in extent or quantity, or to impose a restriction on. It is the most precise and idiomatic word to describe limiting or reducing public gatherings.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the sentence and the meaning of the bolded word.
The sentence describes reducing or limiting social gatherings. The bolded word 'abbreviate' specifically refers to shortening words or texts.
To determine if the original word is precise and correct in context.
2
Evaluate the alternative options for precision and grammatical correctness.
'Truncate' applies to physical ends, data, or mathematical series; 'desist' is intransitive and lacks the required preposition 'from'; 'curtail' means to restrict or reduce in extent or quantity.
To find the word that fits both the semantic and grammatical context of the passage.
3
Choose the most precise and grammatically correct option.
The word 'curtail' is selected because it is both semantically precise for gatherings and grammatically appropriate.
To ensure word precision and clarity in the passage.

Key Concept

Word Precision and Clarity
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 91Question

Although the talented young software engineer was eager to explore new career opportunities in the fast-paced tech industry, the strict terms of his initial employment contract precluded him to accept any position at a competing firm for at least one year. Consequently, he decided to focus his energy on developing his own independent mobile applications while waiting for the non-compete clause to expire. This strategic decision ultimately allowed him to launch a successful startup of his own.

Which choice is the most appropriate option to replace the underlined portion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: precluded him from accepting

Answer

precluded him from accepting
The correct choice is 'precluded him from accepting' because the verb 'preclude' idiomatically requires the preposition 'from' followed by a gerund (verb-ing). In the context of the sentence, the non-compete contract prevented the engineer from taking a new job, which is correctly expressed as 'precluded him from accepting' rather than using an infinitive or an incorrect preposition.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the main verb and its idiomatic requirements in the underlined portion.
The verb is 'precluded'.
Different verbs require specific prepositions and verb forms to be idiomatically correct.
2
Determine the correct preposition and grammatical structure that follows 'preclude'.
The verb 'preclude' must be paired with 'from' followed by a gerund (the -ing form of a verb).
Using an infinitive or incorrect prepositions violates standard English idiomatic usage.
3
Evaluate the options to find the one that matches this required structure.
The option 'precluded him from accepting' matches the correct idiomatic pattern.
This option corrects the preposition and verb form while maintaining standard grammar and context.

Key Concept

Idiomatic Prepositional Collocations with Verbs
Question 92Question

The following sentence contains an underlined portion:

The librarians scanned each fragile page working in a way that was highly efficient and did not waste any time because they hoped to complete the project by Friday.

Which choice most effectively eliminates wordiness in the underlined portion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: efficiently

Answer

The correct answer is the single adverb 'efficiently' because it is the most concise way to express the manner in which the librarians scanned the pages while maintaining correct grammar.
The single adverb 'efficiently' successfully conveys the exact meaning of working quickly and without wasted effort, making it the most concise and direct option.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the wordy and redundant phrase in the underlined portion: 'working in a way that was highly efficient and did not waste any time'.
Recognized that the underlined phrase is ten words long and repeats similar ideas.
ACT English rewards conciseness, so we must look for a shorter way to express this idea.
2
Evaluate the choices to find the option that expresses this same meaning in the fewest words possible.
Identified 'efficiently' as the most concise candidate.
Comparing lengths helps eliminate wordy and redundant distractors.
3
Verify that the chosen option is grammatically correct and does not introduce new errors like redundancy or comma splices.
Confirmed that the single adverb fits the sentence structure perfectly.
An answer must be both concise and grammatically correct to be correct.

Key Concept

Eliminating Wordiness
Estimated Time:45s
Question 93Question

Dr. Chen’s study of avian migration patterns provides valuable insight for how climate change shifts the seasonal behaviors of songbirds.

Which choice best replaces the underlined portion to ensure the sentence is grammatically and idiomatically correct?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: insight into

Answer

The phrase 'insight into' is correct because the noun 'insight' idiomatically pairs with the preposition 'into' to express a deep understanding of a topic.
The noun 'insight' standardly pairs with the preposition 'into' to form the idiomatic expression 'insight into,' which means a clear and deep understanding of a subject. Therefore, the phrase 'insight into' is the correct choice.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the noun that requires a prepositional partner.
The target noun is 'insight'.
To correct the underlined portion, we must determine which preposition standardly collocates with the noun 'insight' in this context.
2
Evaluate the idiomatic preposition options.
In formal written English, the correct idiomatic phrase is 'insight into' a topic.
Other prepositions like 'for', 'on', and 'about' are either grammatically incorrect or informal in this context.

Key Concept

Idiomatic Preposition Collocation
Question 94Question

Although early daguerreotypes captured incredibly sharp details, the long exposure times required subjects to sit perfectly still for several minutes. Photographers used metal head braces that were clamped behind the subject's head in order to keep the person from moving or shifting during the portrait session.

Which choice most effectively and concisely expresses the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: to keep the subject still

Answer

to keep the subject still
The correct answer is the most concise and direct option. It eliminates the wordy phrase 'in order to' and removes the redundant synonyms 'moving' and 'shifting' while remaining grammatically correct.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the wordy and redundant elements in the original sentence.
The phrase 'in order to keep the person from moving or shifting during the portrait session' is unnecessarily long and uses redundant synonyms ('moving' and 'shifting').
ACT English tests conciseness and clarity; removing extra words and redundant ideas is essential.
2
Evaluate the choices for both grammatical correctness and conciseness.
The option 'to keep the subject still' is grammatically correct and conveys the meaning directly in five words. The option using passive voice is wordy, and the option with the comma splice is grammatically incorrect.
The correct answer must be the shortest grammatically correct option that preserves the original meaning.

Key Concept

Eliminating Wordiness
Question 95Question

When designing long-term storage protocols, digital archivists must weigh the costs of active maintenance against the risks of data degradation. For many of these professionals, storing raw data on physical magnetic tape drives is preferable than relying solely on cloud-based servers, which remain vulnerable to sudden service interruptions.

Which choice is the most grammatically correct and idiomatic replacement for the underlined portion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: preferable to

Answer

The correct choice is 'preferable to' because the adjective 'preferable' requires the preposition 'to' to form a standard idiomatic comparison.
The adjective 'preferable' is idiomatically followed by the preposition 'to' when making comparisons. The expression 'preferable to' is the standard grammatical construction used to show that one choice is favored over another.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the word establishing the comparison in the underlined portion of the sentence.
The sentence uses the adjective 'preferable' to compare storing raw data on physical tape drives with relying on cloud-based servers.
Determining the word that initiates the comparison is necessary to identify which idiomatic preposition must accompany it.
2
Select the preposition that idiomatically completes the phrase containing 'preferable'.
The correct preposition is 'to', making the correct phrase 'preferable to'.
Although colloquial English frequently uses 'than' or 'over', formal standard English requires 'to' when using 'preferable' for comparison.

Key Concept

Idiomatic Preposition Collocation
Question 96Question

To start the campfire, Sarah gathered twigs and leaves, which were completely dry and free of moisture.

Which of the following choices is the best version of the underlined portion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: which were dry

Answer

which were dry
The correct choice is 'which were dry' because it expresses the intended detail in the most concise manner possible without redundant words and maintains standard grammatical structure.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundancy in the underlined phrase.
The phrase 'completely dry and free of moisture' contains synonym redundancy, as 'dry' already implies the absence of moisture.
ACT English rewards concise and direct phrasing.
2
Evaluate the choices to eliminate redundant phrasing and grammatical errors.
The option stating 'which were dry' removes the redundancy. The option using 'and they were dry, they had no moisture' is both redundant and introduces a comma splice. The option stating 'which, being dry' creates an incomplete fragment.
Incorrect options either retain the redundancy or introduce structural grammar issues.
3
Select the most concise, grammatically correct option.
The option stating 'which were dry' is chosen.
It is grammatically correct and eliminates unnecessary wordiness.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Estimated Time:45s
Question 97Question

To ensure the longevity of the fragile manuscript, the archivist insisted that all researchers adhere to the strict handling guidelines. These rules prevented accidental tears and exposure to moisture.

Which choice best completes the sentence in accordance with standard written English?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: NO CHANGE

Answer

The correct option is 'NO CHANGE' because the verb 'adhere' idiomatically requires the preposition 'to' to express compliance with rules.
The correct choice is the one that retains 'adhere to', as the verb 'adhere' idiomatically requires the preposition 'to' when referring to following rules or guidelines.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the verb and preposition combination underlined in the sentence.
The underlined phrase is 'adhere to'.
We must verify if 'adhere' is paired with the correct idiomatic preposition in the context of following guidelines.
2
Determine the correct idiomatic preposition that follows the verb 'adhere'.
In standard written English, 'adhere' always pairs with 'to' when referring to sticking to or following a set of rules.
Prepositional idioms are fixed and cannot be substituted with other prepositions even if they seem to convey a similar meaning.
3
Evaluate the alternative options against this idiomatic rule.
The options using 'with', 'by', and 'in' are incorrect because they fail to follow the standard idiomatic construction.
We eliminate options that use incorrect prepositions to connect 'adhere' with 'guidelines'.

Key Concept

Idiomatic Prepositions
Question 98Question

Having spent three consecutive weeks monitoring the volatile ridge, the vulcanologists grew wary of the seismic sensors' frequent false alarms, a complacency that ultimately led them to ignore the evacuation warning.

Which choice is the most appropriate in the context of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: weary of

Answer

The option containing 'weary of' is the correct answer because it uses the correct word meaning ('weary' for being tired of something) and pairs it with the correct idiomatic preposition 'of'.
The correct option is 'weary of'. The sentence describes how the vulcanologists grew tired of the constant false alarms, which led to their complacency. The word 'weary' means tired or impatient with something, and it idiomatically pairs with the preposition 'of' when referring to a recurring event or nuisance. Therefore, 'weary of' is both contextually and idiomatically correct.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the sentence to determine the intended meaning.
The sentence mentions 'a complacency' and that the vulcanologists 'ignored the evacuation warning.' This indicates they became tired of or desensitized to the false alarms, rather than cautious.
Choosing the correct word requires distinguishing between 'wary' (cautious/alert) and 'weary' (tired/impatient).
2
Select the correct word and determine its idiomatic preposition.
The correct word is 'weary'. When expressing that one is tired of or impatient with a recurring event, the word 'weary' must be followed by the preposition 'of'.
Using 'weary from' implies physical exhaustion resulting from an activity, which does not fit the context of being desensitized to false alarms.

Key Concept

Idiomatic Prepositions and Lexical Choice
Question 99Question

Astronomers have recently detected a new exoplanet orbiting a nearby star. This celestial body, located approximately forty light-years from Earth, features an atmosphere rich in carbon dioxide. Scientists are eager to study this planet because it is super cool for understanding atmospheric development.

Which of the following options, if substituted for the underlined portion, best maintains the tone of the passage?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: presents a valuable opportunity

Answer

The option that states 'presents a valuable opportunity' is the correct answer.
The correct option, 'presents a valuable opportunity', fits the academic and professional tone established in the rest of the passage, which features formal phrasing such as 'celestial body' and 'features an atmosphere rich in carbon dioxide'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the established tone of the surrounding passage.
The passage uses formal, scientific vocabulary such as 'celestial body', 'detected', and 'atmosphere rich in carbon dioxide', establishing an objective, academic tone.
Recognizing the tone of the context is necessary to select an option that matches the same register of language.
2
Evaluate the choices to find the one that fits this academic register without introducing grammatical errors.
The phrase 'is super cool' is too informal, 'represents a truly magnificent and peerless gateway' is overly dramatic, and 'provides an important resource on understanding' contains a preposition error. The phrase 'presents a valuable opportunity' is grammatically correct and aligns perfectly with the academic tone.
Eliminating options that violate tone consistency or grammatical standards leaves the single correct choice.

Key Concept

Tone consistency requires maintaining a uniform level of formality (register) and style throughout a passage.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 100Question

In the mid-nineteenth century, the invention of the telegraph revolutionized long-distance communication. Messages that once took weeks to arrive by mail could now be transmitted in mere minutes, an innovation that was a new and unprecedented development for global commerce.

Which choice most effectively and concisely replaces the underlined portion in the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: an innovation

Answer

The correct option is the one that reads 'an innovation' because it is the most concise choice and avoids redundant synonyms for novelty.
The option that consists solely of 'an innovation' is correct because it provides the necessary noun phrase to describe the preceding clause while eliminating all redundant synonyms for novelty.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the underlined portion and analyze it for redundancy.
The underlined text 'an innovation that was a new and unprecedented development' contains multiple words ('innovation', 'new', 'unprecedented development') that repeat the same concept of novelty.
To correct redundancy, we must eliminate duplicate or unnecessary words that express the same meaning.
2
Evaluate the remaining options for grammatical correctness and conciseness.
The option 'an innovation' provides the necessary noun phrase without any redundant descriptions. The option 'an innovation, which was a new development,' retains the redundancy. The option 'an innovation; which was unprecedented,' introduces a grammatical error by using a semicolon to connect a dependent clause, creating a fragment.
The correct choice must be both grammatically correct and free of redundant phrasing.

Key Concept

Eliminating redundancy in a sentence requires removing unnecessary words or phrases that repeat the same meaning, while ensuring the remaining sentence is grammatically correct.
PreviousPage 5 / 17Next