Examkin

Eliminating Redundancy

106 questions

Question 1Question →

Read the passage below and select the choice that best replaces the underlined portion to eliminate redundancy.

"The astronaut looked out the window and saw the Earth, which was a round sphere floating in the dark void of space."

Which of the following options best eliminates the redundant phrasing while maintaining correct grammar?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: a sphere

Answer

a sphere
The correct choice is the most concise option because a sphere is already a round object, making the modifier 'round' redundant. The phrasing 'a sphere' functions cleanly as an appositive modifying 'Earth' without introducing any grammatical errors.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundancy in the underlined phrase.
The phrase 'round sphere' is redundant because a sphere is, by definition, a round three-dimensional shape.
Eliminating redundant words is necessary to make the sentence concise and direct.
2
Evaluate the remaining options for grammatical correctness and conciseness.
The option containing just 'a sphere' is the most concise and forms a grammatically correct appositive phrase. The options that introduce a comma splice or a dependent clause fragment are grammatically incorrect.
ACT English questions require the correct choice to be both grammatically correct and free of redundancy.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Estimated Time:45s
Question 2Question →

Every year, the migration of monarch butterflies attracts thousands of tourists who travel annually to witness the event.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: attracts thousands of tourists

Answer

attracts thousands of tourists
The correct answer is the option that deletes 'who travel annually' and only keeps 'attracts thousands of tourists'. This choice is the most concise because the sentence already begins with the phrase 'Every year,' which makes 'annually' redundant. It is also grammatically correct and preserves the author's intended meaning.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify any redundant or repetitive phrasing in the sentence.
The sentence begins with the phrase 'Every year,' which means that the entire sentence is contextually set to occur on a yearly basis. The underlined portion contains 'who travel annually,' where 'annually' means the same thing as 'every year,' resulting in redundant repetition.
To maintain a clear and concise writing style, synonyms that repeat information already established in the sentence must be eliminated.
2
Evaluate the choices for both conciseness and grammatical correctness.
The option that simply states 'attracts thousands of tourists' removes the redundant reference to yearly travel without changing the sentence's meaning. The other options either keep the redundant word 'annually' or introduce structural grammatical errors such as a sentence fragment or a comma splice.
The correct answer on the ACT English section must be the most concise option that preserves the sentence's meaning and remains grammatically correct.

Key Concept

Eliminating redundancy requires removing unnecessary words or phrases that repeat information already expressed elsewhere in the sentence.
Question 3Question →

During her trip to the local botanical garden, Sarah spent several hours observing the orchids, which she noted were currently blooming at this present time.

Which choice most effectively minimizes redundancy in the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: blooming

Answer

The correct answer is 'blooming', as it is the most concise choice that avoids redundancy and maintains grammatical correctness.
The option containing only 'blooming' is correct because it is the most concise choice and avoids redundant language while keeping the sentence grammatically sound.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify repetitive or redundant words in the original sentence.
The words 'currently' and 'at this present time' express the exact same concept of happening in the present moment.
Redundant synonyms must be removed to ensure clear and concise writing.
2
Evaluate the remaining options for both conciseness and grammatical correctness.
The single word 'blooming' eliminates the repetition while fitting the grammatical structure of the sentence. The other options either maintain the redundancy, introduce a comma splice, or create a sentence fragment.
The correct choice must improve conciseness without introducing new grammatical errors.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Estimated Time:45s
Question 4Question →

Although the scientists wanted to present their findings at the annual conference, they had to postpone the scheduled presentation until a later date due to incomplete data.

Which choice best replaces the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: postpone the presentation

Answer

postpone the presentation
The correct answer is the option that removes both the redundant phrase 'until a later date' (since 'postpone' already implies a delay to a later time) and the wordy adjective 'scheduled,' resulting in a grammatically correct and concise sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundancy in the underlined phrase.
The word 'postpone' already indicates that the action is rescheduled for a future time, which makes the phrase 'until a later date' repetitive.
Redundancy is tested on the ACT by checking if the same idea is repeated unnecessarily using different words.
2
Evaluate the choices for both conciseness and grammatical correctness.
The option that simply states 'postpone the presentation' is the most concise choice and avoids grammatical errors such as comma splices or fragment constructions.
The correct answer must improve clarity and economy of language while adhering to rules of standard written English.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Estimated Time:40s
Question 5Question →

During the excavation, the team uncovered a collection of clay tablets. Currently, these ancient artifacts are now stored in the university archives.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: These ancient artifacts are now stored

Answer

The option that reads 'These ancient artifacts are now stored' is the correct answer.
The correct choice is the option that states 'These ancient artifacts are now stored.' This version successfully removes the redundant word 'Currently' while preserving a complete, grammatically sound sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify any redundant phrasing in the underlined segment.
The words 'Currently' and 'now' both indicate the present time. Using both in the same sentence is redundant.
ACT style guides require eliminating unnecessary repetition to maintain concise writing.
2
Evaluate the remaining options for correctness, conciseness, and sentence structure.
The option beginning with 'These ancient artifacts' removes the redundancy. The option beginning with 'Being that' creates a fragment, and the option with two independent clauses creates a comma splice.
The correct choice must not only remove redundancy but also maintain grammatical correctness.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Question 6Question →

Many archival institutions prioritize the preservation of ancient manuscripts. Because these historic documents are fragile and prone to deterioration, the preservationists handled the folios with extreme care, mindful of the delicate, easily damaged nature of the pages, which could easily break.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: extreme care, mindful of the pages' delicate nature.

Answer

The correct choice is the option that states 'extreme care, mindful of the pages' delicate nature.'
The correct option is the most concise choice that successfully eliminates the redundant synonyms ('delicate', 'easily damaged', 'could easily break') while keeping the sentence grammatically sound.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the underlined portion for wordiness and repetitive meaning.
The phrases 'delicate', 'easily damaged', and 'could easily break' all repeat the same basic meaning already established by the word 'fragile' earlier in the sentence.
ACT English requires the elimination of wordy and redundant phrases.
2
Evaluate the choices to find the one that is grammatically correct and most concise.
The option ending in 'delicate nature' is the shortest grammatically correct option. The choice with 'they were mindful' creates a comma splice, and the choice that splits the sentence with a period before 'Mindful' creates a fragment.
The correct choice must resolve both the redundancy and any grammatical errors introduced by the distractors.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 7Question →

Geothermal geysers, such as Yellowstone's Old Faithful, erupt on highly predictable schedules due to the buildup of underground pressure. The geothermal water, which is heated to a high temperature by hot magma beneath the Earth's surface, boils and eventually forces its way upward.

Which of the following options represents the most effective and grammatically correct replacement for the underlined portion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: heated by magma beneath the Earth's surface, boils and

Answer

heated by magma beneath the Earth's surface, boils and
The correct option is the most concise and grammatically sound choice. The phrase 'heated by magma' communicates the temperature changes clearly without the wordy addition of 'which is heated to a high temperature' and the redundant adjective 'hot' before 'magma,' since magma is inherently hot. It maintains the proper sentence structure by providing the active verbs 'boils' and 'forces' for the subject 'geothermal water.'

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundancy in the underlined portion.
The phrase 'heated to a high temperature' and the adjective 'hot' before 'magma' are redundant, as magma is by definition extremely hot.
ACT English requires the most concise version that preserves the meaning.
2
Eliminate options that fail to correct the redundancy or introduce grammatical errors.
Removing the redundant words leaves 'heated by magma beneath the Earth's surface, boils and'. Check this against options containing punctuation errors or run-ons.
Distractors often try to fix one error while introducing a new grammatical issue.
3
Verify sentence structure with the remaining option.
Inserting the concise option creates a grammatically complete sentence where 'heated by magma beneath the Earth's surface' is a modifying phrase, and 'boils and eventually forces' serves as the compound predicate for 'The geothermal water'.
Ensures the choice maintains complete sentence structure without creating fragments or comma splices.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Question 8Question →

To transport clean water across long distances, Roman engineers constructed aqueducts, which were vast bridge-like structures that carried water over valleys. Because they relied on gravity alone as the sole force of movement, the conduits had to decline at a precise, consistent slope to prevent stagnation.

Which of the following choices best replaces the underlined portion of the sentence to construct a clear, grammatically correct statement without redundant phrasing?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Because they relied on gravity alone, the

Answer

Because they relied on gravity alone, the
The correct option, 'Because they relied on gravity alone, the', successfully eliminates the redundant phrase 'as the sole force of movement' from the original sentence. Since 'gravity alone' already conveys that gravity was the only source of propulsion, any additional mention of a 'sole force' is repetitive. This option resolves the redundancy while maintaining grammatical correctness and clear sentence structure.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundant information in the underlined portion of the sentence.
Recognize that 'gravity alone' and 'sole force of movement' express the exact same concept of a single driving force.
To make the sentence clear and concise, repetitive ideas must be removed.
2
Evaluate the options to find the one that removes this redundancy without introducing grammatical errors.
The choice 'Because they relied on gravity alone, the' removes 'sole force of movement' while maintaining a subordinate clause that logically connects to the main clause.
This establishes a clear cause-and-effect relationship using the subordinator 'Because'.
3
Check the remaining options for grammatical correctness and sentence structure errors.
The choice starting with 'Relying' creates a dependent fragment, while the choice 'They relied on gravity alone, the' results in a comma splice.
Ensuring the selected choice forms a complete, grammatically correct sentence is necessary to satisfy ACT English conventions.

Key Concept

Redundancy in writing occurs when words or phrases repeat the same information. In standardized tests like the ACT, the most concise grammatically correct option that preserves the sentence's meaning is always preferred.
Question 9Question →

The paleontologists examined the apex predator's fossilized jaw, it was uniquely adapted for the sole and exclusive purpose of crushing dense bone.

Which of the following choices, if used to replace the underlined portion, most effectively eliminates the redundancy in the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: which was uniquely adapted for

Answer

The correct choice is the option that uses 'which was uniquely adapted for' to create a subordinate clause and eliminate redundant wording.
The correct option resolves the comma splice by using the relative pronoun 'which' to subordinate the second clause, and it removes the redundant synonyms 'sole' and 'exclusive' to make the sentence concise.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify any grammatical errors in the original sentence.
The clause starting with 'it was' creates a comma splice when joined to the first independent clause with only a comma.
Before looking at style, ensure the grammar is correct.
2
Identify redundant phrasing in the underlined portion.
The terms 'sole' and 'exclusive' are synonymous, and 'purpose of crushing' is wordier than necessary.
Redundancy weakens style and should be eliminated.
3
Evaluate the options to find one that resolves both the comma splice and the redundancy.
The option using 'which was uniquely adapted for' resolves the comma splice and eliminates the redundancy.
This option is both grammatically correct and concise.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 10Question →

Ancient Greek architects constructed theaters with a semicircular design; this intentional shape, which was planned on purpose, allowed sound waves to travel efficiently to the top rows.

Which choice most effectively eliminates the redundancy in the underlined portion of the sentence while maintaining correct grammar and punctuation?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: design; this intentional shape allowed

Answer

The choice that reads 'design; this intentional shape allowed' is the correct answer.
The correct answer removes the redundancy by eliminating the phrase 'which was planned on purpose,' as 'intentional' already expresses this idea. It also correctly uses a semicolon to separate the two independent clauses.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify any redundant expressions in the underlined portion.
The words 'intentional' and 'planned on purpose' express the same concept.
Conciseness is a key grammatical standard on the ACT; expressing the same concept twice is redundant.
2
Evaluate the sentence structure of the remaining choices.
The sentence consists of two independent clauses: one about the architects constructing theaters and one about the shape allowing sound waves to travel.
Two independent clauses must be joined by a semicolon or separated by a period, not a comma.
3
Select the option that corrects both issues.
Using a semicolon and removing the redundant phrase makes the sentence both grammatically correct and concise.
This resolves the redundancy while avoiding errors like comma splices or fragments.

Key Concept

Eliminating redundant words or phrases to ensure conciseness while maintaining proper sentence boundaries (avoiding fragments and comma splices).
Question 11Question →

Before the invention of modern refrigeration, food preservation relied heavily on salting and curing techniques. Each year, people repeated these practices annually during the autumn months to prepare for winter.

Which choice is the best version of the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: People repeated these practices

Answer

People repeated these practices
The correct answer successfully removes the redundant words 'Each year' and 'annually', conveying the idea of repetition clearly and concisely without grammar errors.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundant elements in the underlined portion of the passage.
The original phrasing contains both 'Each year' and 'annually', which repeat the same idea of yearly repetition.
Good writing avoids using synonyms that repeat information within the same clause.
2
Evaluate the choices to select the one that resolves the redundancy without introducing new grammatical errors.
The phrase 'People repeated these practices' is concise and grammatically sound. The other options either maintain the redundancy, introduce a comma splice, or create a sentence fragment.
The correct answer must be both grammatically correct and concise.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Question 12Question →

Biologists studying deep-sea hydrothermal vents discovered a species of extremophile shrimp that thrives in superheated water. Although these organisms are currently existing today in environments that would kill most marine species, they have developed unique proteins to stabilize their cellular structure.

Which of the following choices, if substituted for the underlined portion, best eliminates the redundancy in the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Although these organisms exist in environments

Answer

The correct choice is the option that states 'Although these organisms exist in environments' because it eliminates the redundant time indicators and maintains proper sentence structure.
The correct choice, which begins with 'Although these organisms exist in environments', successfully removes the redundant words 'currently' and 'today' while maintaining the subordinating conjunction 'Although' to properly link the dependent clause with the independent clause.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundant words in the underlined portion.
The words 'currently', 'existing', and 'today' all convey the exact same meaning of present existence.
To recognize which elements are unnecessary and should be removed to make the sentence concise.
2
Test the remaining choices in the context of the full sentence to evaluate grammatical correctness.
Removing the subordinating conjunction 'Although' creates a comma splice, while adding 'Because' turns the entire sentence into a fragment. Only the correct option maintains the appropriate subordinating structure.
To ensure that eliminating redundancy does not introduce a new grammatical error.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 13Question →

Because the team was short on time, they decided to collaborate together in cooperation to finish the project.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: they decided to collaborate

Answer

they decided to collaborate
The correct choice is the option that states 'they decided to collaborate' because it removes all redundant elements ('together' and 'in cooperation') while maintaining the grammatical integrity of the sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundant words in the underlined portion.
The words 'collaborate,' 'together,' and 'in cooperation' all share the same meaning, which is working collectively.
Eliminating redundancy requires keeping only one of these terms to state the idea clearly without repetition.
2
Evaluate the choices to find the most concise version that is grammatically correct.
The option containing 'they decided to collaborate' removes the repetitive elements while keeping the main independent clause intact.
This ensures the sentence is both grammatically complete and free of redundant phrasing.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Question 14Question →

Climatologists extract ice cores from deep within glaciers; these cylindrical samples of ice, which are shaped like cylinders, preserve tiny bubbles of ancient air, allowing researchers to measure greenhouse gas levels from hundreds of thousands of years ago.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: ; these cylindrical samples preserve

Answer

the option that uses a semicolon and eliminates the redundant description of the shape of the ice cores
The correct option is the most effective and concise edit because it removes the redundant phrase 'which are shaped like cylinders' (since 'cylindrical' already conveys this meaning) and correctly uses a semicolon to separate the two independent clauses.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundancy in the underlined portion.
The words 'cylindrical' and the phrase 'which are shaped like cylinders' are synonymous. One of them must be eliminated to make the sentence concise.
ACT English rewards concise and direct writing that avoids repeating the same meaning.
2
Analyze the grammatical structure of the sentence.
The sentence consists of two independent clauses: 'Climatologists extract ice cores from deep within glaciers' and 'these cylindrical samples preserve tiny bubbles of ancient air'.
Identifying clause boundaries helps determine the correct punctuation needed to connect them.
3
Evaluate the punctuation choices linking the two independent clauses.
A semicolon is required to separate the two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction. Using a comma creates a comma splice, and adding 'because' after the semicolon creates a fragment.
Standard English conventions require independent clauses to be joined by a semicolon, a period, or a comma with a coordinating conjunction.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 15Question →

The restoration of the historic theater was delayed by several weeks because the plaster conservator had to meticulously repair the ornate ceiling, which was a time-consuming process that took a long time to complete.

Which of the following is the best choice for the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: a time-consuming process.

Answer

a time-consuming process.
The option stating 'a time-consuming process' is correct because it is concise and grammatically correct. It eliminates the redundant phrasing of the original sentence, which repeated the same concept using both 'time-consuming' and 'took a long time to complete'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundancy in the underlined portion of the sentence.
The phrase 'time-consuming' and 'took a long time to complete' mean the same thing, making one of them redundant.
Redundancy occurs when two words or phrases with the same meaning are used in the same context, and the ACT requires the most concise, error-free phrasing.
2
Evaluate the remaining options for grammatical correctness and conciseness.
The option containing a comma splice and the option containing a fragment are grammatically incorrect, leaving the most concise, error-free option.
Eliminating grammatically incorrect distractors ensures the final choice is both grammatically sound and concise.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Question 16Question →

To prepare for the concert, the pianist rehearsed the difficult concerto for hours. She focused on the final movement, which she practiced repeatedly over and over again to perfect her technique.

Which of the following choices best eliminates the redundancy in the underlined portion of the passage?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: which she practiced

Answer

The correct answer is the option that replaces the underlined text with 'which she practiced'.
The correct option is the most concise and direct phrasing. It removes the redundant synonyms 'repeatedly' and 'over and over again' while maintaining grammatical correctness.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundant phrasing in the underlined portion of the sentence.
The words 'repeatedly' and 'over and over again' carry the exact same meaning, making them redundant.
ACT English questions require eliminating wordiness and repetition.
2
Evaluate the remaining choices for conciseness and grammatical correctness.
The option containing 'which she practiced' is the most concise choice and contains no grammatical errors. Other choices introduce grammatical errors such as comma splices or fragments.
The correct answer must be both concise and grammatically correct.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Question 17Question →

Linguists tracking the evolution of Indo-European languages have noted that sound shifts occur in highly predictable patterns; by studying these systematic changes, which proceed in an orderly fashion, researchers can reconstruct Proto-Indo-European, the ancestral tongue from which modern languages descended.

Which choice is the most effective and concise way to write the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: by studying these systematic changes, researchers

Answer

The correct option is the one that reads 'by studying these systematic changes, researchers'. This choice is the most concise because it removes the redundant clause 'which proceed in an orderly fashion' (since 'systematic' already implies order) and maintains grammatical correctness.
The correct option is the most concise choice that is grammatically correct. It removes the redundant clause 'which proceed in an orderly fashion' because 'systematic' already describes something that is orderly and methodical. The resulting sentence flows logically and maintains proper punctuation.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundancy in the original underlined phrase.
The word 'systematic' and the relative clause 'which proceed in an orderly fashion' express the exact same concept.
Redundancy must be eliminated to make the sentence concise and direct.
2
Evaluate the options for conciseness and clarity.
Removing 'which proceed in an orderly fashion' yields 'by studying these systematic changes, researchers', which successfully eliminates the redundancy.
The most concise option that preserves meaning is correct, provided it does not introduce grammatical errors.
3
Verify the grammatical correctness of the remaining options.
The option beginning with 'because' creates a sentence fragment after the semicolon, and the option with 'they' creates a comma splice between two independent clauses. The concise option maintains proper sentence structure.
An option must be grammatically correct to be the final answer.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Question 18Question →

In the damp, shaded understory of temperate rainforests, certain species of fungi emit a soft, greenish glow, this glowing illumination, which shines with light, serves to attract nocturnal insects that distribute the fungi's spores.

Which choice is the most concise and grammatically correct replacement for the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: which serves

Answer

The correct choice is the option that reads 'which serves', as it creates a grammatically correct relative clause that avoids a comma splice and eliminates all redundant repetition of the word 'glow'.
The correct option is the most concise and grammatically correct choice. By replacing the underlined portion with a relative clause starting with 'which', the sentence correctly joins the dependent clause to the main clause, avoiding a comma splice. Furthermore, it eliminates the redundant phrases 'glowing illumination' and 'shines with light' because the preceding clause already mentions a 'glow'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the underlined portion for redundancy.
The phrases 'glowing illumination' and 'shines with light' are redundant because the sentence already describes the subject as a 'glow'.
Conciseness is a key rule on the ACT English exam; words or phrases that repeat information already established in the sentence must be removed.
2
Evaluate the sentence structure and punctuation.
The sentence consists of two independent clauses: the first ends with 'glow' and the second begins with the underlined portion. Joining these two clauses with a comma alone creates a comma splice.
To correct a comma splice, the clauses must be separated by a period, a semicolon, a coordinating conjunction, or one clause must be made dependent using a relative pronoun like 'which'.
3
Choose the option that resolves both the redundancy and the grammatical error.
The relative clause 'which serves' removes all redundant wording and correctly joins the clauses, resolving the comma splice.
The correct option must be both grammatically sound and free of unnecessary repetition.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Question 19Question →

The botanist explained that the rare orchid blooms annually once every year, which is a fascinating event to witness.

Which choice most effectively eliminates redundancy in the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: annually, which

Answer

annually, which
The correct option removes the redundant phrase 'once every year' because 'annually' already communicates that the event happens once per year. It correctly uses a comma and the relative pronoun 'which' to connect the clause to the rest of the sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify redundant words in the underlined portion.
The word 'annually' and the phrase 'once every year' mean the same thing, so one of them must be removed to avoid redundancy.
ACT English style requires sentences to be concise and free of repetitive phrases.
2
Check the remaining options for proper punctuation and grammar.
Using a comma and the relative pronoun 'which' keeps the sentence grammatically complete, whereas using a semicolon creates a fragment, and using 'it' creates a comma splice.
The correct answer must eliminate redundancy while maintaining standard English conventions.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Question 20Question →

During the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, workers faced the threat of caisson disease, commonly known as the bends. At that time, doctors currently did not understand that rapidly changing air pressure caused nitrogen bubbles to form in the bloodstream.

Which of the following choices best eliminates the redundancy in the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Doctors did not understand

Answer

Doctors did not understand
The correct answer is 'Doctors did not understand' because it is the most concise choice that conveys the intended meaning without repeating information. The phrase 'At that time' and the word 'currently' are redundant when used together, so removing both of them creates a clear, grammatically sound sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify redundant time markers in the underlined portion of the passage.
The phrase 'At that time' and the word 'currently' both indicate the same temporal context, which creates unnecessary repetition.
ACT English rules require the elimination of words and phrases that repeat information unnecessarily.
2
Evaluate the remaining options for grammatical correctness and conciseness.
The option containing just 'Doctors did not understand' removes all redundant phrasing and maintains a grammatically complete sentence. The other options either retain the redundancy, introduce a comma splice, or create a sentence fragment.
The correct answer must be the most concise option that is free of grammatical errors.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
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