<p>Hi,
I was taking a practice ACT today, and I found two questions in the english sections that were initially confusing. They were:</p>
<p>"The music is mainly 'instrumental-the bands generally' consist of guitar, bass guitar, saxophones, accordion, and drums.</p>
<p>a) instrumental; in general, the bands
b) instrumental, the bands generally
c) instrumental. The bands generally
d) instrumental; the bands generally</p>
<p>To make sure he wasn't being deceived, Conan Doyle had the original photographic plates examined by experts, 'however, they' found no evidence of double exposures.</p>
<p>a) NO CHANGE
b) who
c) which
d) they</p>
<p>So, the correct answer for the first question is B while the correct answer for the second is also B. </p>
<p>When I did the first one, I narrowed it down to A and B, and I picked B because I thought that this made the sentence simpler although A would be grammatically correct. Is this the right reason for picking B?</p>
<p>When I did the second one, I initially thought it was A, but after further inspection I realized that it was a misplaced modifier. So, whatever came after the comma would describe "experts." If this is true, why isn't the answer D?</p>
<p>For the first one, B doesn’t make sense since "“The music is mainly instrumental” and “The bands generally consist of guitar, bass guitar, saxophones, accordion, and drums.” Does the book have an explanation? I’m assuming not if you’re asking but the “correct” answer seems wrong >.<. I would have picked D for that.</p>
<p>For the second one, it can’t be D because that would make the second clause independent, meaning you would have a semicolon or “and” instead of a comma in front of the part where you fill in the choice. I would definitely pick B for that one too.</p>
<p>The first question is a pretty awful question. Both are independent clauses and the answers are asking you to differentiate between a period or a semi-colon–both grammatically correct–to separate the two.</p>
<p>The second definitely cannot be ‘they’ since that would turn it into two independent clauses separated only by a comma. Although I don’t see any misplaced modifiers in choice ‘A’, so I’m not too sure if that is wrong. Wait for someone of higher authority (silverturtle) to give his/her two cents.</p>
<p>Oh wait, sorry. For number three, it asked which underlined portion would NOT be acceptable. (I’m still getting used to the dramatic difference between the SAT and ACT).</p>
<p>So, with that in mind, it makes complete sense. “, the bands generally” (choice B) would have to be wrong because it puts two independent clauses together without a conjunction.</p>
<p>In terms of who made the test, all it says is The ACT, ACT 2006-2007 Assessment. I’m assuming it’s a legitimate test because it was administered by a reputable test prep company.</p>
<p>I did another practice test and I have another question. Here it is:</p>
<p>Such praise does not come “any easier” to any big-city police chief, but Harvard applies her talents and works twelve-to-sixteen-hour days to earn it.</p>
<p>a) NO CHANGE
b) easily
c) more easy
d) easier</p>
<p>I chose D, but the answers B. When I read the sentence, “more easily” came to my mind for the underlined segment, so I picked the one closest to it. I didn’t think it could be any easier because I thought that “any” was just being repetitive. Is this just an idiomatic expression?</p>
<p>Saying “more easily” or easier would suggest that the job is easy, which conflicts with the last part of the sentence. The sentence should have the sense that the praise doesn’t come easily, it must be worked for.</p>