Question

A. NO CHANGE B. (The Broadway musical and the movie, respectively, Camelot and Walt Disney's The Sword in the Stone, are based on the legend of King Arthur.) C. (Movies and musicals, including The Sword in legend of King Arthur.) D. OMIT the underlined portion.

Short answer

Option B is the best choice.

Step-by-step solution

- Understand the Context

The sentence provided references a Broadway musical and a movie both based on the legend of King Arthur. The main point is to decide how best to phrase this information without losing meaning or clarity.

- Analyze Each Option

Option A keeps the sentence as is, preserving the original phrasing. Option B suggests adding specific titles (Camelot and Walt Disney's The Sword in the Stone) in parentheses for clarity. Option C suggests a rephrasing that includes the titles as examples rather than the main focus. Option D recommends eliminating the underlined portion entirely.

- Evaluate Underlined Portion

The underlined portion provides the crucial information that both the Broadway musical and the movie are based on the legend of King Arthur. Removing it (Option D) would lose significant context.

- Assess Clarity and Specificity

Option B provides specific titles in a clear way, enhancing the sentence by explicitly naming the productions. This avoids ambiguity and provides precise information without being overly wordy. Option C, while correct, is less clear because it lists the examples as part of a broader category.

- Choose the Best Option

Option B (The Broadway musical and the movie, respectively, Camelot and Walt Disney's The Sword in the Stone, are based on the legend of King Arthur.) provides clarity and specific information in a concise manner.

Key concepts

sentence structure

Good sentence structure ensures that a sentence is clear and easy to understand. It typically consists of a subject, verb, and object in that order.
When crafting sentences, especially for something like the ACT English section, consider the following:

• Ensure each sentence has a clear subject and verb.
• Use modifiers correctly to add details without causing confusion.
• Make sure related ideas are grouped together.

In the example exercise, Option B improves sentence structure by specifying the titles of the musical and the movie, which avoids breaking the flow and keeps the relationship between the items clear. This restructured sentence thus reads naturally and logically, making it easier for the reader to understand how the Broadway musical and movie relate to the legend of King Arthur.

clarity in writing

Clarity in writing is crucial for effective communication. Your goal is to convey ideas so that your audience understands them without needing clarification.
To achieve clarity, consider these points:

• Use simple and direct language.
• Avoid ambiguous terms and phrases.
• Provide necessary details without overloading the reader.

In the provided exercise, Option B enhances clarity by explicitly naming the Broadway musical ('Camelot') and the movie ('Walt Disney's The Sword in the Stone'). This removes any possible confusion about what productions are being discussed. Clear writing helps the reader to follow along effortlessly and comprehend the information provided.

eliminating ambiguity

Ambiguity in writing occurs when a sentence or phrase can be interpreted in multiple ways. To avoid this, be specific and precise.
Here are some tips:

• Clearly define subjects and objects.
• Use modifiers appropriately so they describe the correct word.
• Provide context to avoid misinterpretation.

In the exercise, Option C introduces ambiguity by listing the titles as examples within a broader category, which can confuse the reader. Option B, on the other hand, eliminates ambiguity by directly associating 'Camelot' with the Broadway musical and 'Walt Disney's The Sword in the Stone' with the movie. This makes it unambiguous which title corresponds to which form of media.

providing specific information

Providing specific information can make your writing more informative and engaging.
Consider the following:

• Include specific names, dates, and details where relevant.
• Ensure the details you provide are relevant and support your main point.
• Avoid unnecessary generalizations.

In our example, Option B gives specific titles, 'Camelot' and 'Walt Disney's The Sword in the Stone'. This specificity not only informs the reader exactly what musical and movie you're referring to, but also helps to add interest and detail to your writing. By providing these specific details, you make your writing richer and more engaging for the reader.