Question

\begin{equation} \begin{array}{l}{\text { F. NO CHANGE }} \\ {\text { G. the diversion of Sherlock Holmes, he promised }} \\ {\text { himself, would never again keep him from more }} \\ {\text { serious writing. }}\end{array} \end{equation} \begin{equation} \begin{array}{l}{\text { H. more serious writing consumed all his time from }} \\\ {\text { then on. }} \\ {\text { J. he promised himself that Sherlock Holmes }} \\ {\text { would never again divert him from more serious }} \\\ {\text { writing. }}\end{array} \end{equation}

Short answer

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

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Options

Examine each option F, G, H, and J. Look for clarity, grammar, and coherence to determine the most appropriate correction.

Eliminating Options

Eliminate any options that are clearly incorrect. For example:-Option G: 'the diversion of Sherlock Holmes' is awkward and unclear.-Option H: 'more serious writing consumed all his time from then on' changes the meaning of the sentence.

Analyzing Remaining Choices

Compare the remaining choices (F and J):-Option F: 'NO CHANGE' may be an acceptable choice if the sentence is already correct.-Option J: 'he promised himself that Sherlock Holmes would never again divert him from more serious writing' is more straightforward and clear.

Final Decision

Consider clarity and readability. Option J is better because it clearly conveys the writer's intent without ambiguity and maintains proper grammatical structure.

Key concepts

Grammar Correction

Grammar forms the backbone of any well-constructed sentence. When preparing for the ACT English section, make sure that your sentences are free from grammatical mistakes. In the given exercise, option J was chosen over the others because it had the correct grammatical structure.
In contrast, option G was rejected because it was grammatically awkward. Remember, a sentence must have subject-verb agreement, correct punctuation, and proper word forms.
If we look at option H, the phrase 'from then on' adds unnecessary complexity. Instead, it's better to use simple, direct construction like in option J: 'he promised himself that Sherlock Holmes would never again divert him from more serious writing.' Paying attention to grammar will help you eliminate incorrect choices and select the best answer.

Sentence Clarity

Clarity ensures that your sentences convey the intended meaning without confusion. In the exercise, option J was selected for its clear and straightforward message. This is a crucial component for any standardized test.
Notice how option G, 'the diversion of Sherlock Holmes, he promised', could leave readers puzzled about who is promising what. This leads to ambiguity, reducing the sentence's clarity.
Always aim to write sentences that the reader can easily understand on the first read. Use simple language and direct constructions. This is why sentences like 'he promised himself that Sherlock Holmes would never again divert him from more serious writing' excel—they leave no room for misinterpretation.

Sentence Coherence

For a sentence to be coherent, its parts must logically follow each other and contribute to the overall meaning. Coherence ties your thoughts together into a unified whole.
In the provided exercise, option J was found to be the most coherent as it clearly connects the promise and the outcome without introducing new ideas or unrelated elements.
Contrast this with option H, which introduces 'time consumption,' changing the focus and disrupting the original meaning. By maintaining coherence, your sentences will be more effective in communicating your ideas. Logical flow and consistency in your sentences will help you score higher on tests like the ACT.

Eliminating Incorrect Options

One of the effective test strategies is to eliminate incorrect choices methodically. Start by reading all the answer choices and identify which ones contain obvious errors or awkward phrasing.
In the exercise, options G and H were immediately eliminated due to awkwardness and altered meaning, respectively. Applying this strategy helps you narrow down choices, making it easier to pick the best one.
For example, if an option feels cumbersome or deviates from the original intent, it's likely incorrect. By practicing this method, you enhance your ability to quickly zero in on the best possible option, like we did with option J in the provided example.