Problem 19 - 8 Practice Tests for the ACT 3rd

Question

A. NO CHANGE B. animals that were familiar sights to me, C. familiar animals to which I was no stranger, D. familiar animals,

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

D. familiar animals

Step 1: Read the Original Sentence

Understand the context in which the sentence is presented to determine the most appropriate option. The sentence is describing animals that the speaker has seen before.

Step 2: Evaluate Option A

Option A is 'NO CHANGE'. This means that the original phrase 'familiar animals to me' is considered. Notice that it is somewhat redundant.

Step 3: Evaluate Option B

Option B is 'animals that were familiar sights to me.' This is more descriptive but wordier than necessary.

Step 4: Evaluate Option C

Option C is 'familiar animals to which I was no stranger.' This phrase is complex and somewhat awkward.

Step 5: Evaluate Option D

Option D is 'familiar animals.' This is concise and clear without unnecessary redundancy.

Step 6: Select the Best Option

Based on the evaluations, Option D is the best choice because it is the most concise and clear.

Key Concepts

Grammar Evaluation

When tackling the ACT English test, one of your main tasks is to perform a thorough grammar evaluation. This involves checking the grammatical structure of sentences to ensure they follow standard English conventions. You need to look for:

• Subject-verb agreement
• Proper tense usage
• Correct punctuation
• Proper pronoun usage

For instance, the phrase 'familiar animals to me' might seem correct at first glance but requires evaluation for redundancy and clarity. Here, the original sentence needs rephrasing to reduce unnecessary words. Always ensure sentences are not just grammatically correct but also free from clutter.

Sentence Clarity

Clear sentences are essential for effective communication. On the ACT English test, you need to evaluate if sentences are easy to understand. A sentence should convey its message without causing confusion.
You can achieve clarity by:

• Avoiding complex structures when simpler ones work
• Using familiar words and phrases
• Ensuring logical sentence flow

Option C 'familiar animals to which I was no stranger' uses a complex structure that becomes less clear. Always aim to keep sentences straightforward, as in Option D 'familiar animals'. This approach ensures the sentence is both clear and easy to understand.

Conciseness in Writing

Being concise means expressing your idea in the fewest words possible without losing meaning or context. Conciseness can significantly improve readability. In the ACT English test, this is critical.
You can achieve conciseness by:

• Removing unnecessary words
• Combining sentences where possible
• Avoiding vague language

In the given exercise, Option D 'familiar animals' is the most concise. It retains the original meaning without any unnecessary words. Practicing conciseness helps to keep your writing sharp and direct.

Redundancy

Redundancy occurs when words are repeated unnecessarily, making sentences cluttered. On the ACT English test, redundancy often needs to be corrected. It’s efficient to express ideas without repeating the same concept.
Avoid redundancy by:

• Eliminating repetitive words or phrases
• Choosing words that convey the idea in a single step
• Avoiding over-explanation

For example, 'familiar animals to me' is redundant because 'familiar' already implies familiarity, making 'to me' unnecessary. Option D 'familiar animals' avoids this redundancy, making it a better choice. This keeps the sentence clean and to the point.