Eliminating Redundancy

106 questions

Question 61Question

The exceptional preservation of wooden shipwrecks in the Baltic Sea is due to the water's low salinity. This chemical composition prevents wood-boring shipworms from surviving, which is because they cannot live in these conditions, allowing centuries-old vessels to remain intact.

Which choice is the most effective and concise correction for the underlined portion of the passage?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: This composition prevents wood-boring shipworms from surviving

Answer

The choice that reads 'This composition prevents wood-boring shipworms from surviving' is correct because it eliminates redundant phrasing while maintaining grammatical correctness.
The option that reads 'This composition prevents wood-boring shipworms from surviving' is correct because it is the most concise choice that eliminates the redundant phrase expressing that the shipworms cannot live in those conditions. It also maintains grammatical correctness, allowing the sentence to conclude with a modifying participle phrase ('allowing centuries-old vessels to remain intact').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the underlined portion for redundant information.
Identify that the phrase 'prevents wood-boring shipworms from surviving' and the clause 'which is because they cannot live in these conditions' repeat the same concept.
Eliminating redundant words and synonym expressions is required to make the writing concise.
2
Evaluate the grammar of the remaining choices.
Determine which choices introduce grammatical errors such as comma splices or fragments.
An option must not only be concise but also grammatically sound within the context of the sentence.
3
Select the most concise, grammatically correct option.
The option 'This composition prevents wood-boring shipworms from surviving' is chosen.
It removes all redundant references and forms a complete independent clause that is correctly followed by the modifying participle phrase.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Question 62Question

Early audio recordings from the late nineteenth century were captured on fragile wax cylinders, which are now deteriorating rapidly. To preserve these historical sounds, engineers use non-contact optical scanning to create digital 3D models of the grooves, which currently at this present time serve to reproduce the audio without touching the delicate wax.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: which reproduce

Answer

The correct option is 'which reproduce' because it provides a grammatically correct and concise phrasing that eliminates the redundant time expressions 'currently' and 'at this present time'.
The option containing 'which reproduce' is correct because it establishes a grammatically sound relative clause that clearly links the 3D models to their function of reproducing the audio. By removing the repetitive time markers 'currently' and 'at this present time,' it achieves the conciseness expected on the ACT exam.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundant expressions in the underlined portion.
The words 'currently' and the phrase 'at this present time' both convey that the action is happening now. Combining them is redundant.
ACT English conventions require eliminating wordiness and repetitive meaning (synonym redundancy).
2
Evaluate the grammar of the non-redundant options.
The option containing 'they reproduce' creates a comma splice, and the option containing 'which, reproducing' creates a fragment. The option containing 'which reproduce' is grammatically correct and concise.
An option must be grammatically correct as well as concise to be the correct answer.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Question 63Question

Although the chemist had analyzed the liquid compound in the beaker multiple times, she resolved to test the substance once again in order to re-examine the chemical solution a second time.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: once more

Answer

The correct option is 'once more' because it makes the sentence concise and removes the repetitive phrases without introducing any grammatical errors.
The correct option, which replaces the underlined text with 'once more', successfully removes the unnecessary repetition of 'once again', 're-examine', and 'a second time' while keeping the sentence grammatically sound.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundant elements in the underlined portion.
The phrase contains 'once again', 're-examine', 'chemical solution' (which is synonym redundancy for the already mentioned 'substance'), and 'a second time'. These all repeat the idea of testing the compound again.
Redundancy makes a sentence wordy and violates the ACT English standards of conciseness.
2
Evaluate the options for conciseness and grammatical correctness.
The option containing 'once more' removes all the repetitive elements ('once again', 're-examine', 'a second time') and leaves a grammatically clean independent clause. The other options either maintain the redundancy or introduce grammatical errors like a comma splice or a fragment.
To be correct on the ACT, an option must be both grammatically correct and free of unnecessary repetition.

Key Concept

Eliminating redundancy and avoiding grammatical errors such as comma splices and dependent clause fragments.
Question 64Question

To protect the colony's brood from extreme heat, honeybees perform a behavior known as fanning. By beating their wings rapidly in a coordinated fashion, they can cool down the temperature of the hive and lower it to a safe level. Which of the following choices best replaces the underlined portion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: they can cool the hive

Answer

The correct choice is the option that states 'they can cool the hive' because it removes the redundant repetition of lowering the temperature while keeping the sentence grammatically complete and structurally sound.
The option stating 'they can cool the hive' is correct because it expresses the intended meaning clearly and concisely without repeating synonyms like 'cool down' and 'lower it,' and it maintains proper sentence structure.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundant expressions in the underlined portion of the sentence.
The phrases 'cool down the temperature' and 'lower it' both describe the process of reducing the heat inside the hive, repeating the same concept unnecessarily.
ACT English requires expressing ideas as concisely as possible without repeating synonyms or concepts.
2
Evaluate the grammar of the remaining concise options to ensure they form a complete sentence.
The option stating 'they can cool the hive' forms a proper independent clause that connects logically to the introductory modifying phrase, whereas the other choices introduce either a comma splice or a sentence fragment.
The correct choice must be both concise and grammatically correct.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Question 65Question

Urban heat islands develop when cities replace natural land cover with dense concentrations of pavement, buildings, and other surfaces that absorb and retain heat. To mitigate this effect, urban planners frequently advocate for the installation of green roofs. Because these vegetated spaces are covered in plants, they can lower surface temperatures by shading buildings and cooling the air through evapotranspiration.

Which choice most effectively minimizes redundancy while maintaining grammatical correctness?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: These vegetated spaces

Answer

The choice 'These vegetated spaces' is correct because it removes the redundant reference to plants while establishing a grammatically sound independent clause.
The option reading 'These vegetated spaces' successfully eliminates the redundant reference to plants while providing a clear subject for the main verb 'can lower', resolving the sentence into a grammatically correct structure.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the underlined portion for redundancy.
The word 'vegetated' and the phrase 'covered in plants' repeat the same meaning.
ACT English style requires clear and concise phrasing that avoids repeating synonyms.
2
Evaluate the choices for grammatical correctness.
Some choices introduce errors: one creates a comma splice by connecting two independent clauses with only a comma, and another creates a fragment by removing the main independent clause.
Eliminating redundancy must not introduce new grammatical errors.
3
Identify the option that is both concise and grammatically correct.
The phrase 'These vegetated spaces' serves as the subject for the main verb 'can lower' without repeating any synonym concepts.
This is the most concise and structurally sound option.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 66Question

To ward off predators, some species of beetles produce a toxic spray through a rapid chemical reaction in their glands, which is a defensive mechanism that currently at this time serves to deter attackers.

Which of the following choices best replaces the underlined portion of the sentence to ensure that the sentence is clear, grammatically correct, and free of redundancy?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: serving to

Answer

serving to
The correct option is 'serving to' because it is the most concise choice that preserves the meaning of the sentence. The phrase 'To ward off predators' already implies that the spray is a defense mechanism, making the words 'defensive mechanism' unnecessary. Additionally, it eliminates the redundant time indicators 'currently' and 'at this time' without creating grammatical issues.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify redundancies in the original sentence.
The phrase 'To ward off predators' indicates defense, making 'defensive mechanism' redundant. The words 'currently' and 'at this time' are synonyms that express the same time frame.
Eliminating redundant words makes the sentence concise and improves readability.
2
Evaluate the remaining options for grammatical correctness.
The option containing 'this defensive mechanism' creates an ungrammatical comma splice. The option containing 'which, because' creates an incomplete fragment. The option 'serving to' is concise and grammatically correct.
The correct answer must not introduce new grammatical errors while fixing the redundancy.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 67Question

Preservationists working on the restoration of the historic theater discovered that the ornate plaster ceiling, though seemingly stable, was slowly and gradually deteriorating over a long period of time.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: deteriorating slowly

Answer

The option that reads 'deteriorating slowly' is the correct answer because it is the most concise choice and avoids any redundant phrasing or grammatical errors.
The correct answer is the option that simply states the ceiling was deteriorating slowly. It is the most concise choice and conveys the intended meaning without repeating synonyms or adding wordy, grammatically flawed explanations.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundant elements in the original underlined phrase.
The words 'slowly' and 'gradually' mean the same thing in this context, and 'over a long period of time' repeats that same idea of a slow, ongoing process.
ACT English questions require eliminating redundant words to make the sentence as concise as possible while retaining the original meaning.
2
Evaluate the remaining choices for conciseness and grammatical correctness.
The option containing 'it was a gradual process' introduces a comma splice and repeating synonyms. The option containing 'which was because of time' is grammatically incorrect and wordy. The option 'deteriorating slowly' is concise and free of errors.
The correct choice must not only be concise but also grammatically sound.

Key Concept

Eliminating redundancy in ACT English involves choosing the most concise option that preserves the sentence's meaning without repeating synonyms or adding unnecessary explanation.
Question 68Question

Although the curator hoped to display the rare Renaissance painting, the museum's security system was currently at this present moment inadequate.

Which of the following choices best represents the most concise and grammatically correct option for the underlined portion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: inadequate.

Answer

The option that replaces the underlined text with 'inadequate.' is correct because it removes the redundant temporal words while maintaining a grammatically correct sentence structure.
The option that simply ends with 'inadequate.' is correct. It eliminates the redundant temporal phrases ('currently' and 'at this present moment') and correctly completes the independent clause with a single, clear predicate adjective.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the underlined portion for redundant phrasing.
The words 'currently' and 'at this present moment' repeat the same meaning, which violates the ACT rule of conciseness.
Redundant synonyms should be eliminated to make the sentence direct and concise.
2
Evaluate the remaining choices for grammatical correctness.
The option adding 'they had to upgrade it' creates a comma splice, and the option starting a new sentence with 'Because' creates a fragment. The single word 'inadequate.' is grammatically correct and concise.
The correct choice must not introduce new grammatical errors while fixing the redundancy.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Question 69Question

The following passage contains an underlined portion:

To map the ocean floor, scientists use sonar technology to send sound waves into the deep water, and this technique determines the exact, precise location of underwater features.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: water, detecting the location

Answer

The correct option is the one that replaces the underlined text with a comma followed by 'detecting the location'. This choice successfully eliminates the synonym redundancy of 'exact' and 'precise' while maintaining correct sentence structure.
The correct option removes the wordy and redundant repetition of synonyms ('exact' and 'precise'). It uses a participial phrase starting with 'detecting' to modify the main clause, which is grammatically correct and concise.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify redundancy in the underlined segment.
The words 'exact' and 'precise' mean the same thing in this context, so one of them must be removed to avoid wordiness.
ACT English questions require eliminating redundant synonym pairs that repeat the same meaning within a sentence.
2
Evaluate the remaining options for grammatical correctness.
The choice ending with 'this determines the location' creates a comma splice. The choice ending with 'Because it determines the location' creates a sentence fragment because it isolates a dependent clause.
An option that eliminates redundancy must not introduce other grammatical errors such as comma splices or fragments.
3
Choose the option that is both grammatically correct and free of redundancy.
The phrase using a participial modifier ('detecting the location') avoids both the redundancy and the grammatical errors, smoothly joining the description to the main clause.
A participial phrase functions as an adjective modifier, avoiding independent clause run-ons or dependent clause fragments.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Question 70Question

Although nineteenth-century philologists could find no written records of the ancient tongue, they successfully reconstructed Proto-Indo-European, which was a prehistoric ancestral language from which later modern languages descended from in the past.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: an ancestral tongue.

Answer

The correct choice is the option that replaces the underlined text with 'an ancestral tongue.'
The correct choice is the option that reads 'an ancestral tongue.' This choice is grammatically correct and is the most concise way to express the relationship between Proto-Indo-European and later languages. It removes the unnecessary, repetitive descriptions of prehistoric time and descendant lineages present in the original sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the underlined portion for redundant phrasing and grammatical errors.
The original phrasing repeats the idea of 'past' (using both 'prehistoric' and 'in the past') and the concept of ancestry (using both 'ancestral' and 'from which later modern languages descended'). It also mistakenly duplicates the preposition 'from'.
Identifying redundancies and errors helps in eliminating incorrect distractors.
2
Evaluate the other choices for conciseness and grammatical correctness.
The option containing 'an ancestral tongue.' is concise and correct. The option containing 'Which served as...' creates a sentence fragment. The option containing 'later languages descended...' creates a comma splice.
The correct ACT English alternative must be the most concise option that is free of grammatical errors.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 71Question

Biologists studying New Caledonian crows have observed that these birds can fashion hooks from twigs. By manufacturing and creating these tools, the crows can easily extract insects from deep within tree bark.

Which of the following options represents the most effective way to write the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: By manufacturing these tools,

Answer

The correct option is the phrase that removes the redundant word, resulting in 'By manufacturing these tools,'.
The correct option removes the word 'creating' from the introductory phrase, which is redundant because it means the same thing as 'manufacturing' in this context. The resulting phrase is concise, maintains the intended meaning, and links correctly to the main clause of the sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundancy in the original underlined phrase.
The phrase contains both 'manufacturing' and 'creating', which are synonymous in this context and repeat the same meaning unnecessarily.
ACT English questions require eliminating wordiness and redundancy to make sentences as concise as possible.
2
Evaluate the remaining options for conciseness and grammatical correctness.
The option containing the semicolon and relative pronoun creates a fragment. The option with 'They manufacture these tools' creates a comma splice. The option with just 'By manufacturing these tools,' is both concise and grammatically correct.
Eliminating grammatically incorrect distractors ensures the final choice is correct in both punctuation and syntax.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Question 72Question

In 1911, explorer Hiram Bingham climbed into the Peruvian Andes and encountered Machu Picchu, an ancient citadel from the past that was built by the Inca.

Which choice best replaces the underlined portion of the passage to eliminate redundancy?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: an ancient citadel built by the Inca

Answer

an ancient citadel built by the Inca
The correct choice is the most concise option that avoids redundancy. The modifier 'ancient' already expresses that the citadel is old and from the past, making the phrase 'from the past' redundant. The correct option expresses the idea directly and grammatically.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundancy in the underlined portion.
The words 'ancient' and 'from the past' express the same chronological concept.
To make the sentence clear and concise, repetitive synonyms must be eliminated.
2
Evaluate the remaining options for conciseness and grammatical correctness.
The most concise version is 'an ancient citadel built by the Inca', while the other choices introduce grammatical errors like comma splices or sentence fragments.
ACT conventions require both grammatical correctness and the elimination of redundant information.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Question 73Question

First discovered in 1977 near the Galápagos Rift, hydrothermal vents are fissures on the seafloor that release geothermally heated water. These vents support unique ecosystems that thrive in complete darkness, and they survive and exist independently of sunlight for energy.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: existing independently of

Answer

The most concise and grammatically correct option is 'existing independently of', which eliminates the redundant verbs and smoothly integrates into the sentence.
The correct answer is the option that reads 'existing independently of'. This option is the most concise and grammatically correct choice because it avoids repeating the redundant ideas of surviving and existing, which are already implied by the word 'thrive' earlier in the sentence. It also uses a participle phrase to cleanly modify the preceding clause without introducing comma splices or fragments.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundancy in the underlined portion.
The verbs 'survive' and 'exist' in 'and they survive and exist independently of' repeat the same concept of survival or existence, which is already established by 'thrive' in the sentence.
Redundancy must be eliminated to make the sentence concise and clear.
2
Evaluate the grammar and structure of each option.
The option containing 'they exist independently, they do not rely on' creates a comma splice. The option containing 'which exist independently because they do not rely on' is unnecessarily wordy and creates a clunky dependent clause fragment. The option 'existing independently of' is concise and uses a participle phrase that functions correctly as an adverbial modifier.
The correct option must be both grammatically correct and concise.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Question 74Question

To protect their nests from hungry predators, leafcutter ants build complex underground chambers. These industrious insects, which are known to be extremely hard-working, carry fragments of foliage deep into their colonies to cultivate a specialized fungus.

Which of the following choices is the most concise and grammatically correct way to write the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: These industrious insects

Answer

The correct choice is the most concise version that removes the redundant clause and maintains grammatical correctness.
The correct choice is the most concise option. Because the adjective 'industrious' already means hard-working, the phrase 'which are known to be extremely hard-working' is redundant. Removing this phrase leaves a clean, grammatically correct subject that flows directly into the verb.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the underlined portion for redundancy.
The word 'industrious' and the phrase 'known to be extremely hard-working' are synonyms that express the same idea.
ACT English questions require eliminating unnecessary words or repetitive ideas to achieve the most concise phrasing.
2
Evaluate the grammar of the remaining choices.
The most concise option without redundancy must also function grammatically. The option beginning with 'Since' creates a fragment, and the option ending with 'they' creates a comma splice.
Eliminating redundancy must not introduce new grammatical errors.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 75Question

In 1856, eighteen-year-old chemist William Henry Perkin set out to synthesize quinine, a treatment for malaria. Instead, he accidentally created a dark purple mixture by chance, this unexpected substance became mauveine, the world’s first synthetic aniline dye.

Which choice best maintains the sentence's meaning while eliminating redundancy and ensuring grammatical correctness?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: he accidentally created a dark purple mixture; this

Answer

he accidentally created a dark purple mixture; this
The correct choice successfully removes the redundant phrase 'by chance,' which duplicates the meaning of 'accidentally.' Furthermore, it resolves the comma splice by replacing the comma with a semicolon to properly separate the two independent clauses.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundancy in the underlined phrase.
The words 'accidentally' and 'by chance' mean the same thing, so one of them must be eliminated to make the sentence concise.
ACT English questions require eliminating wordiness and repetitive phrasing.
2
Analyze the punctuation connecting the clauses.
The clause before the comma ('Instead, he accidentally created...') and the clause after ('this unexpected substance became...') are both independent. Joining them with only a comma creates a comma splice.
Two independent clauses must be joined by a semicolon or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction.
3
Select the option that corrects both the redundancy and the punctuation error.
The choice that removes 'by chance' and replaces the comma with a semicolon is the correct answer.
This option is both concise and grammatically correct.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy

Alternative Method

Look for the shortest grammatically correct option. In redundancy questions, the correct answer is almost always the most concise choice that preserves the intended meaning.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 76Question

Every autumn, millions of monarch butterflies embark on a perilous three-thousand-mile journey to the oyamel fir forests of central Mexico. This annual migration occurs every year, and it draws scientists and tourists alike who marvel at the insects' precision.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: This annual migration draws

Answer

The correct choice is 'This annual migration draws' because it removes the redundant phrase 'every year' while maintaining the correct grammatical structure of the sentence.
The correct choice is the option that states 'This annual migration draws' because it removes the redundant phrase 'every year' (since 'annual' already conveys that the migration happens once a year) and provides a main verb 'draws' to form a grammatically complete sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify redundant phrases in the original sentence.
The adjective 'annual' and the phrase 'every year' both mean occurring once a year, making one of them redundant.
Redundancy occurs when the same information is repeated unnecessarily, and standardized tests require selecting the most concise grammatically correct option.
2
Evaluate the grammatical role of the underlined portion.
The underlined portion begins a new sentence after a period, meaning it must contain a subject and a verb to form a complete independent clause.
Eliminating redundancy must not introduce new grammatical errors like fragments or comma splices.
3
Test each option for both conciseness and grammatical correctness.
The choice 'This annual migration draws' successfully eliminates the redundancy while providing the main verb 'draws' to form a complete sentence.
This determines the final correct option that is both concise and grammatically sound.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Question 77Question

The pistol shrimp relies on a specialized claw to hunt. When snapped shut, the claw produces a high-pressure bubble of water that collapses with a loud snap, producing a flash of light that is visible to the eye and can be seen.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: producing a flash of light

Answer

producing a flash of light
The correct option is the most concise choice because it removes the redundant phrases 'visible to the eye' and 'can be seen,' which repeat the same idea of visibility. It leaves a grammatically correct and direct description of the flash of light.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify any redundant or repetitive phrasing in the underlined portion of the sentence.
The phrase 'visible to the eye' and the clause 'can be seen' both describe the ability of the flash to be observed, making them redundant when used together.
ACT English questions require eliminating wordiness and synonym redundancy to make sentences as clear and concise as possible.
2
Evaluate the options to find the one that is most concise while maintaining proper sentence structure.
The option 'producing a flash of light' eliminates the redundant descriptions entirely. The options containing 'it produces' and '. Which is visible' introduce grammatical errors (a comma splice and a sentence fragment, respectively).
The correct answer must be both grammatically correct and free of unnecessary repetition.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Question 78Question

Peat bogs play a critical role in regulating the Earth's climate by storing vast amounts of carbon; these damp, wet peatlands contain more carbon than all of the world's forests combined.

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: these peatlands contain

Answer

these peatlands contain
The correct option is the most concise choice that successfully removes the redundant synonyms 'damp' and 'wet' without introducing grammatical errors. It preserves the independent clause structure required after the semicolon.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify any redundant or repetitive words in the underlined phrase.
The words 'damp' and 'wet' are synonyms that describe the same characteristic of the peatlands, making one of them redundant.
ACT English questions reward conciseness and clarity, so unnecessary repetition must be removed.
2
Evaluate the remaining options to ensure they are grammatically correct and do not introduce errors.
Removing 'damp, wet' leaves 'these peatlands contain', which is a grammatically complete clause following the semicolon. Other options introduce fragments or comma splices.
An option that fixes redundancy but introduces a grammatical error cannot be the correct answer.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Question 79Question

In the depths of temperate rainforests, certain species of bioluminescent mushrooms emit a faint green glow. This glowing illumination, which is visible at night, attracts nocturnal insects that help disperse the fungi's spores.

Which choice is the most effective and grammatically correct option for the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: This glow

Answer

The correct answer is 'This glow' because it provides the most concise phrasing that avoids repeating the concepts of glowing and nighttime visibility, which were already established in the preceding sentence.
The correct option is the most concise and direct choice that avoids repeating ideas already stated in the previous sentence. Since the text already mentions that the mushrooms 'emit a faint green glow,' there is no need to repeat that the light is 'glowing' or 'visible at night.' Simply using 'This glow' maintains grammatical correctness and eliminates redundancy.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundancy in the underlined portion by comparing it to the context in the previous sentence.
The preceding sentence mentions that the mushrooms 'emit a faint green glow,' making phrases like 'glowing' and 'visible at night' redundant.
ACT English tests the ability to eliminate unnecessary repetition of information that has already been stated.
2
Evaluate the remaining options for grammatical correctness and conciseness.
The phrasing 'This glow' is both grammatically correct and highly concise. The other options introduce syntax errors such as a dependent clause fragment or a comma splice.
The correct answer must be free of grammatical errors while being the most direct and concise choice.

Key Concept

Eliminating Redundancy
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 80Question

In 1903, Mary Anderson was granted a patent for her window-cleaning device. Initially, local streetcar companies rejected the invention, this innovative and novel design eventually became standard equipment on all motor vehicles.

Which choice most effectively and grammatically completes the sentence while eliminating redundancy?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: but the design

Answer

The option that reads 'but the design' is the correct answer because it removes the redundant synonyms 'innovative' and 'novel' while correctly joining the two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction, resolving the comma splice.
The choice that uses the coordinating conjunction 'but' before 'the design' is correct. It successfully eliminates the redundant synonyms 'innovative' and 'novel' from the original passage, and it resolves the comma splice by correctly joining the two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the redundancy in the underlined phrase.
The words 'innovative' and 'novel' both convey the idea of being new or original. Using both together is redundant, so one or both must be eliminated.
ACT English questions require removing repetitive words or phrases that do not add new meaning.
2
Identify the grammatical structure of the surrounding sentence.
The sentence consists of two independent clauses: 'Initially, local streetcar companies rejected the invention' and the second clause starting with the underlined portion. Joining them with only a comma creates a comma splice.
An effective correction must not only eliminate redundancy but also ensure the sentence is grammatically correct.
3
Evaluate the remaining choices to find the one that is concise and grammatically correct.
The option starting with the conjunction 'but' eliminates the redundancy and uses a coordinating conjunction to correctly join the independent clauses, resolving the comma splice.
The correct choice must satisfy both conciseness and grammatical correctness.

Key Concept

Eliminating redundancy requires removing words that express the same meaning twice, while ensuring the resulting sentence is grammatically correct and coherent.
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