Question

The writer is considering revising the preceding sentence by deleting the phrase “to the ornately decorated capital of Tishomingo” (placing a period after the word territory). If the writer did this, the paragraph would primarily lose: (A) information comparing the narrator's own journey to similar ones made by members of other tribes. (B) details describing the destination of the people the narrator is traveling with. (C) details that establish the time and place of the events of the essay. (b) interesting but irrelevant information about the Chickasaw.

Short answer

B

Step-by-step solution

Identify the phrase in question

Locate the phrase 'to the ornately decorated capital of Tishomingo' in the sentence the writer plans to revise.

Understand the impact of deletion

Determine what specific information is conveyed by the phrase 'to the ornately decorated capital of Tishomingo'. This phrase describes the destination of the people the narrator is traveling with.

Evaluate answer choices

Compare the impact of deleting the phrase with each provided answer choice: (A) Deleting the phrase does not affect comparisons of journeys by members of other tribes. (B) Deleting the phrase results in losing details describing the destination. (C) The phrase does not establish the time but does establish a place. (D) The phrase does provide interesting information, but it is directly relevant to the destination.

Select the best choice

Based on which details are primarily lost, determine that the best answer is (B) details describing the destination of the people the narrator is traveling with.

Key concepts

revision impact

In the ACT English section, understanding the impact of revisions is crucial. The revision impact revolves around how deleting or altering a sentence changes the meaning or information provided in the text.
In our exercise example, if you delete the phrase 'to the ornately decorated capital of Tishomingo,' you would lose specific details about the destination. Recognizing what information is lost helps you understand the crucial aspects and decide the best answer.
To master this concept:

• Always identify the phrase or sentence in question.
• Assess what details the phrase adds to the text.
• Evaluate how deleting it changes the paragraph's information.

Practicing this process will improve your ability to see the bigger picture and pinpoint essential details.

details and descriptions

The ACT English section often tests your ability to recognize important details and descriptions. These elements make the text richer and more informative. The phrase 'to the ornately decorated capital of Tishomingo' added vivid imagery and specific descriptions about the destination, enhancing the reader's understanding.
When faced with questions about details and descriptions:

• Look for keywords and phrases that add critical or vivid information.
• Consider how these details contribute to the overall passage.
• Check if details help set the scene or provide necessary background information.

Identifying what every part of the sentence adds to the text will help you choose the right answer.

exam strategies

Effective exam strategies for the ACT English section can significantly boost your performance. Here are some critical strategies to keep in mind:

• Read the Entire Sentence: Don't just focus on the phrase or word in question. Understand how it fits into the broader context of the sentence and paragraph.
• Process of Elimination: Use a systematic approach to eliminate incorrect options by comparing them to the impact of the revision.
• Practice Timing: Time management is key. Practice pacing yourself to allow ample time for reviewing challenging questions.
• Be Mindful of Redundancy: Watch out for unnecessarily repetitive information. If a phrase merely repeats what has already been established, it might not be essential.

Employing these strategies will help navigate questions more efficiently and improve your accuracy.