Examkin

Conventions of Punctuation

374 soru

Tüm türler374Çoktan seçmeli326Boşluk doldurma48
Soru 261Soru →

Launched by NASA in 1977, the Voyager 1 spacecraft was designed to study the outer solar system. A copper phonograph record, which contains sounds and images selected to portray the diversity of life on Earth, is carried by the probe as it travels into interstellar space. This record is expected to last for billions of years, potentially serving as a message to extraterrestrial civilizations.

Which choice is the correct punctuation for the underlined portion of the passage?

Cevabı ve açıklamayı göster

Cevap: NO CHANGE

Cevap

The correct choice is the original punctuation, which uses a pair of commas to set off the nonessential relative clause.
The original phrasing correctly sets off the nonessential relative clause 'which contains sounds and images selected to portray the diversity of life on Earth' with a pair of commas. Since this clause provides supplementary details that are not required to identify the noun 'record,' commas are grammatically necessary.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Determine if the clause modifying 'record' is essential or nonessential to the sentence's meaning.
The clause starting with 'which' is nonessential (nonrestrictive) because the specific record is already identified by name ('A copper phonograph record').
Nonessential information must be set off from the rest of the sentence with commas, whereas essential information should not have commas.
2
Select the punctuation that correctly encloses the nonessential clause.
A pair of commas must surround the clause, one after 'record' and one after 'Earth'.
Using a single comma, a semicolon, or commas with the word 'that' creates grammatical or punctuation errors.

Anahtar Kavram

Commas with Nonessential and Parenthetical Elements
Soru 262Soru →

The self-taught paleontologist Mary Anning patrolled the crumbling cliffs of Lyme Regis to search for prehistoric remains. Along the shore, she discovered the first correctly identified ichthyosaur skeleton. This remarkable fossil, which challenged established scientific views about the history of the Earth, paved the way for modern paleontology.

Which choice best punctuates the underlined portion of the sentence?

Cevabı ve açıklamayı göster

Cevap: NO CHANGE

Cevap

The correct answer is the option that keeps the original punctuation intact, as the nonessential relative clause is correctly enclosed in a pair of commas.
The clause beginning with 'which' is nonessential and provides extra information about the fossil. It is correctly set off by a pair of commas, one before 'which' and one after 'Earth', allowing the main subject 'fossil' to connect smoothly to its verb 'paved'.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Identify the grammatical role of the underlined clause.
The clause 'which challenged established scientific views about the history of the Earth' is nonessential (nonrestrictive) because the subject 'This remarkable fossil' is already fully defined.
Nonessential information must be set off from the rest of the sentence by punctuation, typically a pair of commas.
2
Evaluate the choices for correct comma placement and structure.
A pair of commas around the clause is necessary. The correct option uses a comma before 'which' and another after 'Earth'.
This maintains the grammatical integrity of the main clause: 'This remarkable fossil paved the way for modern paleontology.'

Anahtar Kavram

Commas with Nonessential and Parenthetical Elements
Tahmini Süre:1m 0s
Soru 263Soru →

Deep-sea hydrothermal vents support unique ecosystems that thrive in complete darkness, miles below the ocean's surface. These ecosystems rely on a process that is entirely independent of sunlight: chemosynthetic bacteria convert toxic chemical compounds into organic energy to form the foundation of the food web.

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

Cevabı ve açıklamayı göster

Cevap: NO CHANGE

Cevap

The correct answer is the option that keeps the original punctuation (NO CHANGE), which uses a colon to correctly introduce an explanatory independent clause after another independent clause.
The correct choice is the option that makes no changes. The colon is correctly used here because the clause preceding it ('These ecosystems rely on a process that is entirely independent of sunlight') is an independent clause, and the clause following it explains that process.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Analyze the clause preceding the punctuation mark to determine if it is independent.
The clause 'These ecosystems rely on a process that is entirely independent of sunlight' has a subject and a verb and can stand alone as a complete sentence, making it independent.
A colon must be preceded by an independent clause.
2
Analyze the clause following the punctuation mark.
The clause 'chemosynthetic bacteria convert toxic chemical compounds into organic energy to form the foundation of the food web' is also an independent clause that directly explains the 'process' mentioned in the first clause.
A colon is appropriate for connecting two independent clauses when the second explains, clarifies, or illustrates the first.
3
Evaluate the alternative choices against grammatical constraints.
Placing a colon after 'because' creates an incomplete clause before the colon. Using a comma alone creates a comma splice. Using a semicolon before 'which' creates a sentence fragment because 'which' introduces a dependent clause.
Eliminating the choices with grammatical errors leaves only the correct, original punctuation.

Anahtar Kavram

A colon must be preceded by an independent clause (a complete thought). It can be followed by an independent clause, a list, or a clarifying word or phrase, provided that the relationship is one of explanation or elaboration.
Soru 264Soru →

Consider the following sentence from an article about space exploration:

To analyze the composition of the distant star, the astrophysicist focused on three key spectral lines; those representing hydrogen, helium, and sodium.

Which of the following is the most grammatically correct choice for the underlined portion of the sentence?

Cevabı ve açıklamayı göster

Cevap: lines: those representing

Cevap

lines: those representing
The correct choice uses a colon because the clause preceding it is independent, and the phrase following it clarifies the specific spectral lines. This correctly follows the rule that a colon must be preceded by a complete sentence.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Analyze the grammatical structure of the clause preceding the punctuation mark.
'To analyze the composition of the distant star, the astrophysicist focused on three key spectral lines' is an independent clause because it contains a subject and a verb and can stand alone as a complete sentence.
A colon or semicolon can only be placed after a clause if that clause is independent.
2
Analyze the grammatical structure of the phrase following the punctuation mark.
'those representing hydrogen, helium, and sodium' is a noun phrase (a dependent element) rather than an independent clause.
Semicolons require independent clauses on both sides, whereas colons can introduce a list or explanation even if it is not a complete sentence.
3
Evaluate the choices based on these grammatical rules.
The option with a colon correctly connects the independent clause to the clarifying list, while the other options introduce fragment or placement errors.
Applying these rules identifies the grammatically correct choice.

Anahtar Kavram

Colon usage rules: A colon must be preceded by an independent clause and can be used to introduce a list, explanation, or amplification.
Soru 265Soru →

In 1915, Albert Einstein published his theory of general relativity, which revolutionized modern physics. This groundbreaking work, a mathematical framework that describes gravity as the warping of spacetime, challenged Newton's classical laws. Scientists around the world immediately began testing its predictions.

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

Cevabı ve açıklamayı göster

Cevap: NO CHANGE

Cevap

The correct answer is the option that maintains a pair of commas to set off the nonessential appositive phrase without separating the restrictive clause from its referent.
The underlined portion introduces a nonessential appositive phrase ('a mathematical framework that describes gravity as the warping of spacetime') that modifies the noun phrase 'This groundbreaking work'. Nonessential appositives must be set off from the rest of the sentence by a pair of commas: one before the appositive and one after. The original text correctly places a comma after 'work' and a comma after 'spacetime'. Additionally, the relative clause 'that describes gravity as the warping of spacetime' is restrictive (essential to the meaning of the appositive framework) and should not be separated from 'framework' by a comma.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Identify the nonessential element in the sentence.
The phrase 'a mathematical framework that describes gravity as the warping of spacetime' is an appositive that provides extra, nonessential information about 'This groundbreaking work'.
Nonessential elements must be set off from the rest of the sentence with a matching pair of commas.
2
Evaluate the internal punctuation of the nonessential element.
The relative clause 'that describes gravity as the warping of spacetime' is restrictive because it defines the specific framework. Therefore, it must not be separated from 'framework' by a comma.
Restrictive elements should not be set off by commas.
3
Check the punctuation separating the clauses.
A semicolon cannot be used here because 'This groundbreaking work' is not an independent clause.
Semicolons are reserved for connecting two independent clauses.

Anahtar Kavram

Using a pair of commas to set off nonessential appositive phrases, while keeping restrictive relative clauses integrated without commas.
Soru 266Soru →

Based on the passage below, which option represents the most grammatically correct punctuation for the underlined portion?

In 1936, the British mathematician Alan Turing published a landmark paper introducing the concept of a universal machine. This theoretical device, which could perform any computation, laid the foundation for the modern computer. Today, his work is celebrated as the dawn of the information age.

Cevabı ve açıklamayı göster

Cevap: device, which could perform any computation, laid

Cevap

The correct answer is the option stating 'device, which could perform any computation, laid'.
The correct option correctly identifies 'which could perform any computation' as a nonessential clause and encloses it with a pair of commas, separating it from the main clause 'This theoretical device laid the foundation for the modern computer.'

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Determine if the clause 'which could perform any computation' is restrictive (essential) or nonrestrictive (nonessential) to the sentence's meaning.
The noun phrase 'This theoretical device' already uniquely specifies what is being discussed. Therefore, the clause is nonrestrictive (nonessential) because removing it does not change the core identity of the noun.
Identifying the restrictive or nonrestrictive status of a clause determines whether it must be set off by commas.
2
Apply the punctuation rules for nonessential elements.
A nonessential element must be enclosed by a pair of commas (one at the beginning and one at the end of the element) to separate it from the main clause.
Failing to use a pair of commas or using incorrect punctuation marks like semicolons disrupts sentence structure.

Anahtar Kavram

Punctuation of nonessential elements with comma pairs
Soru 267Soru →

A student is editing an essay about prehistoric reptiles.

To reconstruct the flight paths of ancient pterosaurs, paleontologists analyzed fossils for two key adaptations: hollow bones and elongated fourth fingers.

Which of the following options is the most grammatically correct correction for the underlined portion of the sentence?

Cevabı ve açıklamayı göster

Cevap: adaptations: hollow

Cevap

The option that keeps the underlined portion unchanged correctly uses a colon to separate an independent clause from a clarifying list.
The correct option is the one that leaves the underlined portion unchanged. A colon is used to introduce a list or explanation, but it must be preceded by a complete independent clause. The clause before the colon ('To reconstruct the flight paths of ancient pterosaurs, paleontologists analyzed fossils for two key adaptations') is a complete independent clause, and the words after the colon ('hollow bones and elongated fourth fingers') explain the adaptations, making the colon the correct punctuation choice.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Analyze the clause preceding the punctuation mark.
The clause 'To reconstruct the flight paths of ancient pterosaurs, paleontologists analyzed fossils for two key adaptations' contains a subject and a verb and forms a complete thought, making it an independent clause.
According to ACT grammar rules, a colon must be preceded by an independent clause.
2
Analyze the structure of the information following the punctuation mark.
The phrase 'hollow bones and elongated fourth fingers' is a list of two items that clarifies what the two adaptations are.
A colon is appropriate for introducing a list or explanation that clarifies the preceding independent clause.
3
Evaluate the other options to eliminate incorrect grammar and punctuation.
Placing a colon after a verb like 'included' is incorrect; starting a sentence with 'Because' creates a fragment; and joining two independent clauses with just a comma creates a comma splice.
This confirms that the original construction using a colon after the complete sentence is the only grammatically correct option.

Anahtar Kavram

Colons must be preceded by a complete independent clause and can be used to introduce lists, explanations, or clarifications.
Soru 268Soru →

During the 1900 yellow fever epidemic in Havana, Dr. Walter Reed led a U.S. Army commission to identify the transmission method of the deadly disease. Reed's subsequent [1] experiments, which confirmed Carlos Finlay's mosquito hypothesis, saved thousands of lives. This crucial discovery paved the way for the eradication of yellow fever in the region.

Which of the following is the most appropriate punctuation for the underlined portion marked [1]?

Cevabı ve açıklamayı göster

Cevap: NO CHANGE

Cevap

The correct answer is the option that makes no change to the passage, as it correctly uses a pair of commas to enclose the nonessential relative clause.
The clause 'which confirmed Carlos Finlay's mosquito hypothesis' is nonessential because the experiments are already specified as Reed's subsequent ones. Enclosing this nonessential relative clause with a pair of commas correctly separates it from the main clause.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Determine if the underlined clause is essential or nonessential to the sentence.
The clause 'which confirmed Carlos Finlay's mosquito hypothesis' provides extra information about 'Reed's subsequent experiments' but is not needed to identify which experiments are being discussed. Therefore, the clause is nonessential.
Nonessential elements must be set off from the rest of the sentence by punctuation on both sides.
2
Select the correct punctuation to set off the nonessential relative clause.
A pair of commas must enclose the clause, meaning a comma is needed after 'experiments' and another comma is needed after 'hypothesis'.
Enclosing parenthetical information with a pair of commas is the standard grammatical convention to prevent run-on structures or dangling commas.
3
Eliminate incorrect options based on grammatical errors.
Using 'that' with commas is incorrect because 'that' introduces restrictive clauses. Omitting the second comma leaves a single comma dangling. Using a semicolon creates a fragment because a dependent clause cannot follow a semicolon.
Applying standard rules of commas and semicolons helps identify the single grammatically correct choice.

Anahtar Kavram

Commas with Nonessential and Parenthetical Elements
Soru 269Soru →

To preserve delicate medieval manuscripts, archivist-conservationists rely on three primary environmental controls, they require low ambient light, strict humidity regulation, and constant temperature monitoring.

Which option is the most grammatically correct replacement for the underlined portion?

Cevabı ve açıklamayı göster

Cevap: controls: low

Cevap

controls: low
The correct answer is the option containing the colon because the clause preceding the colon is independent and can stand alone as a sentence, and it is properly followed by a list of examples clarifying the three environmental controls.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Analyze the clause preceding the underlined portion to determine if it is an independent clause.
The clause 'To preserve delicate medieval manuscripts, archivist-conservationists rely on three primary environmental controls' has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought, meaning it is an independent clause.
A colon must always be preceded by a complete independent clause.
2
Check the grammatical function of the text following the punctuation mark.
The text lists three items: 'low ambient light, strict humidity regulation, and constant temperature monitoring'. This is a list clarifying the 'three primary environmental controls'.
An independent clause can be followed by a colon to introduce a list, explanation, or amplification.
3
Evaluate the other options for grammatical correctness.
The original text contains a comma splice. The option with 'such as:' contains an incomplete clause before the colon. The option with 'controls, that' incorrectly places a comma before a restrictive relative clause.
Eliminating grammatically incorrect options leaves the choice containing the colon as the only correct option.

Anahtar Kavram

A colon is used to introduce a list, explanation, or quote, and it must be preceded by a complete independent clause.
Tahmini Süre:1m 0s
Soru 270Soru →

The following passage contains an underlined portion.

In 1967, astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell Burnell detected a series of anomalous radio signals while analyzing data from a newly constructed radio telescope. These rapid pulses, which recurred every 1.3 seconds, initially baffled researchers who were searching for cosmic sources. The team jokingly dubbed the mysterious source 'Little Green Men 1' before identifying it as a pulsar, a rapidly spinning neutron star.

Which choice best punctuates the underlined portion of the passage?

Cevabı ve açıklamayı göster

Cevap: NO CHANGE

Cevap

The correct option is the one that reads 'NO CHANGE', keeping the pair of commas around the nonessential clause 'which recurred every 1.3 seconds'.
The correct choice keeps the original phrasing, which uses a pair of commas to enclose the nonessential relative clause. Because the information about the recurrence interval is parenthetical and not required to identify the pulses, it must be set off with a comma at its beginning and a comma at its end.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Identify the clause 'which recurred every 1.3 seconds' and determine if it is essential (restrictive) or nonessential (nonrestrictive) to the meaning of the sentence.
The clause is nonessential because removing it ('These rapid pulses initially baffled researchers') does not alter the fundamental meaning or identity of the pulses.
Nonessential information must be set off from the rest of the sentence using punctuation marks like commas.
2
Select the correct punctuation to set off this nonessential clause.
A pair of commas is required, one at the beginning of the clause (after 'pulses') and one at the end of the clause (after 'seconds').
Omitting one of the commas or using a semicolon creates grammatical errors, while using 'that' with commas incorrectly treats a restrictive pronoun as nonessential.

Anahtar Kavram

Commas with Nonessential and Parenthetical Elements
Soru 271Soru →

Marie Tharp was an American geologist and oceanographic cartographer who, in partnership with Bruce Heezen, created the first scientific map of the entire ocean floor. During the 1950s, much of the ocean floor remained a mystery—a vast, unexplored expanse hidden beneath miles of water—which challenged prevailing geological theories. Tharp's work revealed the presence of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a discovery that proved essential to the development of the theory of plate tectonics.

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

Cevabı ve açıklamayı göster

Cevap: NO CHANGE

Cevap

mystery—a vast, unexplored expanse hidden beneath miles of water—which
The correct option maintains grammatical consistency by using a matching pair of dashes to enclose the non-essential parenthetical phrase 'a vast, unexplored expanse hidden beneath miles of water.' This allows the relative clause starting with 'which' to correctly connect to the main clause.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Identify the non-essential parenthetical phrase in the sentence.
The phrase 'a vast, unexplored expanse hidden beneath miles of water' acts as parenthetical information that modifies the noun 'mystery' and can be removed without affecting the core grammatical structure of the sentence.
Recognizing parenthetical elements helps determine the appropriate rules for punctuation alignment.
2
Check the surrounding punctuation for consistency.
Because the parenthetical phrase is introduced by a dash, it must also end with a dash before continuing with the relative clause ('which challenged...').
Non-essential elements must be set off with matching punctuation marks (two commas, two parentheses, or two dashes) to maintain grammatical consistency.

Anahtar Kavram

Consistency in setting off non-essential elements with matching punctuation
Soru 272Soru →

Anthropologists studying fossilized remains are often able to reconstruct the diets of early human ancestors. By analyzing tooth enamel, researchers search for specific chemical signatures, they are carbon isotope ratios that reveal what types of vegetation were consumed in the region.

Which of the following choices for the underlined portion is grammatically correct?

Cevabı ve açıklamayı göster

Cevap: signatures: carbon

Cevap

The correct option is the one that uses a colon to introduce the explanatory noun phrase: 'signatures: carbon'.
The option 'signatures: carbon' is correct because the clause preceding the colon is independent ('By analyzing tooth enamel, researchers search for specific chemical signatures') and the colon correctly introduces an explanation or elaboration of those signatures ('carbon isotope ratios...').

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Analyze the clause preceding the punctuation mark to determine if it is independent.
The clause 'By analyzing tooth enamel, researchers search for specific chemical signatures' contains a subject and a verb and can stand alone as a complete sentence.
A colon or semicolon requires the preceding clause to be independent.
2
Analyze the phrase following the punctuation mark to see if it is a complete sentence or an explanation.
The phrase 'carbon isotope ratios that reveal what types of vegetation were consumed in the region' is a noun phrase (an explanation/elaboration), not an independent clause.
This determines whether a semicolon (which requires two independent clauses) or a colon (which can introduce an explanation/list) is appropriate.
3
Evaluate the punctuation choices based on these analyses.
A colon is the correct choice to connect the independent clause to the explanatory noun phrase. A semicolon is incorrect because the second part is not independent. A comma splice occurs if 'they are' is kept with a comma. A colon cannot follow 'such as' because it makes the preceding clause dependent.
To select the option that conforms to standard written English conventions.

Anahtar Kavram

Colon rules: A colon must be preceded by an independent clause and can be used to introduce a list, quote, or explanation/elaboration.
Tahmini Süre:1m 0s
Soru 273Soru →

In Barcelona, Spain, several architectural masterpieces designed by Antoni Gaudí draw millions of visitors each year. The basilica of La Sagrada Família , which is Gaudí’s most famous work, features towering spires and intricate facades. Construction on this iconic structure began in 1882 and remains unfinished to this day.

Which option represents the most grammatically correct punctuation for the underlined portion of the passage?

Cevabı ve açıklamayı göster

Cevap: NO CHANGE

Cevap

The correct option is 'NO CHANGE' because it properly uses a pair of commas to set off the nonessential relative clause.
The correct option preserves the original punctuation, which uses a pair of commas to enclose the nonessential relative clause. Because 'La Sagrada Família' is a specific noun, the relative clause starting with 'which' is nonessential and must be set off with commas on both sides.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Determine if the underlined clause is essential (restrictive) or nonessential (nonrestrictive) to the meaning of the sentence.
The clause 'which is Gaudí’s most famous work' provides extra, nonessential information about the already identified noun 'the basilica of La Sagrada Família'.
Nonessential information must be set off from the rest of the sentence by punctuation (usually commas), whereas essential information must not.
2
Select the correct punctuation to set off this nonessential clause.
A matching pair of commas—one before 'which' and one after 'work'—is required to isolate the nonessential clause. Semicolons cannot be used here because they create sentence fragments when separating dependent clauses.
This maintains the grammatical flow of the sentence, allowing the subject 'The basilica of La Sagrada Família' to connect smoothly to the verb 'features' once the parenthetical information is removed.

Anahtar Kavram

Commas with Nonessential and Parenthetical Elements
Tahmini Süre:1m 0s
Soru 274Soru →

The following passage contains a blank where a punctuation mark is missing. What punctuation mark should be placed in the blank to ensure the sentence is punctuated correctly?

Aşağıdaki boşlukları doldurun

In the late 1970s, NASA embarked on a grand tour of the outer planets. Launched in 1977, the Voyager 1 spacecraft—the first human-made object to enter interstellar spacecontinues to transmit valuable data back to Earth from billions of miles away. This historic mission has forever changed our understanding of the cosmos.
Cevabı ve açıklamayı göster

Cevap

A dash (—) must be placed in the blank to close the nonessential parenthetical phrase.
The sentence contains a nonessential parenthetical phrase, 'the first human-made object to enter interstellar space,' which describes the Voyager 1 spacecraft. Because this phrase is introduced by a dash, it must be closed with a matching dash to maintain punctuation consistency. Using any other punctuation mark, such as a comma or a semicolon, would result in an incorrect mixture of punctuation styles.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Identify the parenthetical (nonessential) phrase in the sentence.
The phrase is 'the first human-made object to enter interstellar space', which describes 'the Voyager 1 spacecraft'.
Recognizing parenthetical elements helps determine how they should be set off from the rest of the sentence.
2
Check the punctuation mark that introduces the parenthetical phrase.
An em dash (—) is used immediately before the phrase.
Nonessential phrases must be enclosed by matching punctuation marks (either a pair of commas, a pair of parentheses, or a pair of dashes).
3
Determine the correct punctuation mark to close the phrase.
A matching dash (—) must be used at the end of the phrase before the main verb 'continues'.
Using a different punctuation mark, such as a comma or semicolon, would violate the rule of punctuation consistency for nonessential elements.

Anahtar Kavram

Punctuation consistency with nonessential elements
Tahmini Süre:1m 0s
Soru 275Soru →

In 1897, the Polish-French physicist Marie Curie began investigating uranium rays for her doctoral thesis. The research project, which she conducted in a drafty shed, soon led to the discovery of radioactivity. The materials that she analyzed during these experiments were highly toxic, but her groundbreaking work changed science forever.

Based on the passage, which option represents the most grammatically correct punctuation for the underlined portion?

Cevabı ve açıklamayı göster

Cevap: project, which she conducted in a drafty shed, soon

Cevap

The correct answer is the option that sets off the nonessential relative clause with commas on both sides and uses the relative pronoun 'which'.
The correct answer correctly uses commas to enclose the nonessential relative clause 'which she conducted in a drafty shed'. Because this clause provides non-critical description rather than identifying info, it requires commas on both sides to set it apart from the main clause of the sentence.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Determine if the clause 'which she conducted in a drafty shed' is essential or nonessential to the meaning of the main sentence.
The clause is nonessential because the main noun 'project' is already identified, and removing this clause does not change the core meaning of the sentence.
Nonessential information must be set off from the rest of the sentence using punctuation (usually commas).
2
Evaluate the correct punctuation and relative pronoun needed for the nonessential clause.
The clause should begin with the relative pronoun 'which' and be enclosed by a pair of commas: one before the clause and one immediately after it.
Enclosing the clause with commas correctly marks it as parenthetical, allowing the sentence to flow naturally.

Anahtar Kavram

Punctuation of nonessential relative clauses vs. restrictive relative clauses
Tahmini Süre:1m 0s
Soru 276Soru →

Read the passage below. Which punctuation mark should be placed in the blank to ensure the sentence is punctuated correctly?

Aşağıdaki boşlukları doldurun

New Caledonian crows are renowned for their sophisticated tool-making abilities. In the wild, these remarkable birds—often compared to primates in terms of cognitive capacity create hooks from twigs to extract insects from deep crevices.
Cevabı ve açıklamayı göster

Cevap

A dash (—)
The correct punctuation mark is a dash. The phrase 'often compared to primates in terms of cognitive capacity' is a parenthetical insert. Because the insert begins with a dash after 'birds', it must be closed with a matching dash before the main verb 'create'.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Identify the parenthetical (nonessential) phrase in the sentence.
The phrase 'often compared to primates in terms of cognitive capacity' is parenthetical and nonessential to the grammatical structure of the main clause.
Nonessential information must be set off from the rest of the sentence using consistent punctuation marks.
2
Analyze the punctuation mark that introduces the parenthetical phrase.
An em dash (—) is used right after the word 'birds' to introduce the phrase.
To maintain punctuation consistency, the punctuation mark closing a parenthetical element must match the one that opened it.
3
Select the matching punctuation mark to close the phrase before the main verb.
A matching em dash (—) must be placed in the blank to correctly set off the phrase.
Mixing a dash with a comma or parenthesis to set off the same nonessential element is grammatically incorrect on the ACT.

Anahtar Kavram

Punctuation consistency with dashes setting off nonessential elements
Soru 277Soru →

In the mid-nineteenth century, Ada Lovelace worked closely with Charles Babbage on his plans for the Analytical Engine. Her translation of an article on the machine , which she completed in 1843, contained extensive notes that described the first computer algorithm. Lovelace’s visionary insights earned her a lasting legacy as the world's first computer programmer.

Which option represents the most grammatically correct punctuation for the underlined portion?

Cevabı ve açıklamayı göster

Cevap: NO CHANGE

Cevap

NO CHANGE
The correct option correctly uses a pair of commas to set off the nonessential relative clause 'which she completed in 1843'. This clause provides supplementary details about the translation but is not required for the sentence to make grammatical sense or to specify which translation is meant.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Identify the function of the underlined clause 'which she completed in 1843' within the sentence.
The clause is nonessential (nonrestrictive) because the noun it modifies ('translation') is already uniquely identified by the context.
Nonessential information must be set off from the rest of the sentence by parenthetical punctuation, typically a pair of commas.
2
Evaluate the punctuation surrounding the nonessential clause in each option.
Only the correct option uses a matching pair of commas (one before 'which' and one after '1843') without introducing incorrect punctuation like semicolons or restrictive pronouns like 'that'.
A single comma would leave the clause dangling, a semicolon would create a sentence fragment, and commas cannot be placed around the restrictive pronoun 'that'.

Anahtar Kavram

Commas with Nonessential and Parenthetical Elements
Soru 278Soru →

The paragraph below contains an underlined portion in brackets.

In 1964, radio astronomers Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson detected a persistent background noise that they could not explain. This mysterious [hum, later identified as the cosmic microwave background radiation, the thermal echo of the Big Bang—was] coming from all directions in the sky. To rule out local interference, they even cleaned the horn antenna of pigeon droppings, but the signal remained.

Which of the following options is the correct punctuation for the underlined portion in brackets?

Cevabı ve açıklamayı göster

Cevap: hum—later identified as the cosmic microwave background radiation, the thermal echo of the Big Bang—was

Cevap

The option that uses consistent dashes ('hum—later identified as the cosmic microwave background radiation, the thermal echo of the Big Bang—was') is correct.
A pair of dashes is used to set off non-essential parenthetical information. In this sentence, the phrase beginning with 'later identified' and ending with 'Big Bang' is non-essential and contains internal commas. To set this phrase off cleanly and consistently, matching dashes must be used at both the beginning and the end of the phrase.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Identify the parenthetical, non-essential nature of the phrase inside the brackets.
The phrase 'later identified as the cosmic microwave background radiation, the thermal echo of the Big Bang' is non-essential because the main sentence ('This mysterious hum was coming from all directions in the sky') remains grammatically complete without it.
Determining whether the phrase is non-essential helps establish which punctuation rules apply.
2
Check the punctuation marking the boundaries of the non-essential phrase for consistency.
Because the phrase contains internal commas, setting it off with a consistent pair of dashes is the clearest and most grammatical choice. The original text mismatches a comma at the beginning with a dash at the end.
Non-essential phrases must be enclosed by matching punctuation marks (either two commas or two dashes), and mismatching them is incorrect.

Anahtar Kavram

Using matching punctuation (such as a pair of dashes) to consistently set off parenthetical or non-essential information within a sentence.
Soru 279Soru →

Artemisia Gentileschi, a prominent Baroque painter, is celebrated today for her dynamic and dramatic compositions. Her most famous [work—*Judith Slaying Holofernes*, showcases] her mastery of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume. While many of her contemporaries focused on idealized figures, Gentileschi depicted her subjects with raw, unfiltered emotion.

Which choice represents the correct punctuation for the underlined portion in brackets?

Cevabı ve açıklamayı göster

Cevap: work—*Judith Slaying Holofernes*—showcases

Cevap

The choice that uses a pair of dashes, 'work—*Judith Slaying Holofernes*—showcases', is correct.
The correct option correctly uses a matched pair of dashes to enclose the nonessential appositive '*Judith Slaying Holofernes*'. When a dash is used to introduce a parenthetical element, another dash must be used to close it before the sentence resumes with the verb.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Identify the parenthetical or nonessential element in the sentence.
The title of the painting, '*Judith Slaying Holofernes*', acts as an appositive explaining which work is being referred to, making it a nonessential element.
Nonessential elements must be set off from the rest of the sentence by consistent punctuation marks on both sides.
2
Evaluate the punctuation surrounding the nonessential element.
The sentence begins the nonessential element with a dash after 'work'. Therefore, it must also end the nonessential element with a dash before the verb 'showcases'.
Punctuation pairs (dashes, commas, or parentheses) must be consistent; you cannot open a nonessential phrase with a dash and close it with a comma.

Anahtar Kavram

Consistent use of punctuation pairs to set off nonessential or parenthetical elements in a sentence.
Soru 280Soru →

Read the passage below. The sentence contains a non-essential explanatory phrase set off by punctuation. Fill in the blank with the single punctuation mark that correctly completes the sentence and maintains punctuation consistency.

Aşağıdaki boşlukları doldurun

During the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, Emily Warren Roebling stepped in to manage the daily operations after her husband fell ill. For over a decade, she served as the chief liaison—communicating with engineers, monitoring materials, and managing political disputeseffectively directing one of the greatest engineering feats of the nineteenth century.
Cevabı ve açıklamayı göster

Cevap

A dash is required to close the non-essential parenthetical phrase and match the opening dash.
The sentence includes a non-essential parenthetical phrase that clarifies the duties of the chief liaison. Because the author uses an em dash to introduce this parenthetical phrase after 'liaison,' consistency demands that the phrase be closed with another em dash before the main clause continues with 'effectively directing.'

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Identify the parenthetical, non-essential phrase in the sentence.
The phrase 'communicating with engineers, monitoring materials, and managing political disputes' is non-essential because the sentence remains grammatically complete and retains its core meaning without it.
Non-essential elements must be set off from the rest of the sentence with consistent punctuation.
2
Identify the punctuation mark used to open the non-essential phrase.
An em dash is used immediately before the parenthetical phrase, following the word 'liaison'.
Standard punctuation rules require that the opening and closing punctuation marks enclosing a non-essential element must be of the same type.
3
Determine the matching closing punctuation mark for the blank.
Because the phrase is opened with a dash, it must be closed with a dash.
Mismatched punctuation, such as opening a parenthetical insert with a dash and closing it with a comma or parenthesis, is grammatically incorrect.

Anahtar Kavram

Dash Pair Consistency
Tahmini Süre:1m 0s
ÖncekiSayfa 14 / 19Sonraki
Conventions of Punctuation Alıştırma Soruları — ACT — Sayfa 14 | Examkin