ACT English : Analyzing Contextual Relevance

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English

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Example Questions

Example Question #81 : Writing And Revising Effectively

Which of the following edits best modifies the passage?

1.We had been searching for the treasure for months. 2. I had wanted to be the captain of a ship sailing the high seas since I was a child. 3. Our rations and clean water were running low, and, thus, so was our time. 4. I climbed to the crows nest to search the area again, and I hoped this time would not be in vain.

Possible Answers:

Sentence 3 should be the first sentence

NO CHANGE

Sentence 2 should be moved to after Sentence 4

Sentence 2 should be removed

Correct answer:

Sentence 2 should be removed

Explanation:

Sentence 2 gives information that is irrelevant to the current paragraph, which is concerned with a search for treasure, not the speaker's childhood wishes. While the information may be relevant to the whole story that this paragraph belongs to, it is not relevant here, and, therefore, should be removed.

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