Problem 52 - 8 Practice Tests for the ACT 3rd

Question

F. NO CHANGE G. the diversion of Sherlock Holmes, Canon Doyle promised himself, would never again keep him from more serious writing. H. more serious writing consumed all his time from then on. J. Canon Doyle promised himself that Sherlock Holmes would never again divert him from more serious writing.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Option J: Canon Doyle promised himself that Sherlock Holmes would never again divert him from more serious writing.

Step 1 - Read the Original Sentence

Read the sentence as it currently stands in its entirety to understand its context: 'Canon Doyle promised himself, Sherlock Holmes would never again keep him from more serious writing.'

Step 2 - Identify the Main Clause

Determine the main clause of the sentence. In the original sentence, it is: 'Canon Doyle promised himself.' This identifies who is making the promise and to whom.

Step 3 - Identify the Dependent Clause

Identify the dependent clause which provides more details about the promise: 'Sherlock Holmes would never again keep him from more serious writing.' This contains the object of the promise.

Step 4 - Review Choices for Clarity and Conciseness

Consider each option and determine which one is the clearest and most concise while maintaining the original meaning. Option F (NO CHANGE) is awkward. Option G suggests Holmes is a diversion, but it's less clear. Option H shifts the focus to Holmes consuming time, unlike option J, which clearly relates to the promise.

Step 5 - Select the Best Option

Based on clarity and accuracy of meaning, select the option that corrects the sentence while preserving its intended meaning most effectively. Option J: 'Canon Doyle promised himself that Sherlock Holmes would never again divert him from more serious writing.'

Key Concepts

sentence structure

A well-structured sentence makes information easy to understand. In the original exercise, we see a sentence that combines **two clauses**: a main clause and a dependent clause. The main clause is 'Canon Doyle promised himself.'
This part of the sentence stands alone and tells us who made the promise.
The dependent clause, 'Sherlock Holmes would never again keep him from more serious writing,' provides additional detail about the promise.

• The main task when improving sentence structure is to ensure the clauses are clearly and logically connected.
• Combining these clauses properly prevents misunderstandings and keeps the sentence concise and clear.

Option J in the solution restructures the sentence to improve clarity: 'Canon Doyle promised himself that Sherlock Holmes would never again divert him from more serious writing.'
This structure makes the relationship between the two clauses clear and improves the sentence’s readability.

clause identification

Identifying clauses correctly is essential in crafting clear and effective sentences. In our example, we have a **main clause** and a **dependent clause**.
The main clause, 'Canon Doyle promised himself,' is a complete thought that can stand alone. It contains a subject (Canon Doyle) and a verb (promised). The dependent clause, 'Sherlock Holmes would never again keep him from more serious writing,' cannot stand alone and relies on the main clause to complete the thought.

• Knowing how to identify these parts helps you understand the sentence's structure and how to improve it.
• This understanding aids in identifying potential grammatical issues and reorganizing sentences for better clarity.

When reviewing sentence choices, the dependent clause must directly and logically follow the main clause, as demonstrated in option J.

clarity and conciseness

Effective writing is both clear and concise. This means it should convey the intended message with as few words as necessary without losing meaning. In the given exercise, the goal is to convey the promise Canon Doyle made.
Option J achieves this by clearly stating, 'Canon Doyle promised himself that Sherlock Holmes would never again divert him from more serious writing.' This version is direct and easy to understand.

• When revising sentences for clarity and conciseness, eliminate redundancy and ensure each word contributes essential meaning.
• Avoid overly complex sentence structures that can confuse the reader.

The options evaluated in the solution show how subtle changes can impact readability and comprehension.
For instance, option G is less clear because it refers to Holmes as a 'diversion,' which shifts focus needlessly.
In contrast, option J stays focused on the promise, ensuring clarity and brevity.