ACT English Question

Test Preparation
1

<p>On the June test the only English question I missed was #50. The sentence involving #50 is below. the () is the underlined portion.</p>

<p>"Baca imagined the (mural, on the channel wall) as a timeline."</p>

<p>Please note that a few sentences before the passage stated</p>

<p>"The project was comissioned by Los Angeles city officials, who wanted well-known local muralist Baca to beautify the channel area."</p>

<p>The correct answer is "mural on the channel wall," but I said "mural, on the channel wall," because it can be taken out and still read the same. You aren't losing any neccessary information because it talked about how she is going to do the mural on the channel wall.</p>

<p>I know the ACT doesn't like leaving in unneccessary punctuation, but I don't see how my answer is wrong.</p>

<p>Please explain so I can be sure not to make this mistake again.</p>

<p>Thanks so much!</p>

2

<p>The comma is definitely wrong.</p>

<p>The phrase “on the channel wall” functions as an adjective. It identifies the specific mural. A comma would suggest that what is said regarding the mural is anecdotal – i.e. optional.</p>

3

<p>I thought it is though since it was already stated a few sentences before. That’s why I’m confused.</p>

4

<p>Your point then is that a previous sentence made it “clear” that the mural was meant to beautify the channel area and therefore that the phrase “on the channel wall” is optional.</p>

<p>Generally each sentence needs to stand on its own, and that previous sentence does not affect the correct form of the one at issue. You may be over-thinking this particular problem.</p>