Clarity & Concision
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ACT English › Clarity & Concision
The announcement was made to all of the people in attendance at the conference.
all attendees
everyone in attendance
NO CHANGE
all the people there
Explanation
This question identifies wordy phrases that can be expressed more concisely. The phrase 'all of the people in attendance' can be simplified to 'all attendees,' which conveys the same meaning more efficiently. Choice D provides this concise alternative. Choices C and D are less wordy than the original but still not as efficient as choice B. Look for opportunities to replace lengthy descriptive phrases with precise single terms.
When Mr. Ortiz introduced the class novel, he asked students to keep a reading journal. Each entry needed a brief summary, a favorite line, and a question for discussion. He told students to write honestly, even if they disliked a character’s choices. In his instructions, he added that journals should be turned in on a weekly basis so he could respond with comments.
Which choice is the clearest and most concise?
NO CHANGE
weekly
each and every week
in weeks that occur one after another
Explanation
This question tests clarity and concision in describing frequency. The underlined 'on a weekly basis' is somewhat wordy, as 'weekly' alone conveys the same regularity without the extra phrasing. Options C and D, such as 'each and every week' and 'in weeks that occur one after another,' add unnecessary emphasis and length, making them less concise. The correct choice, B, uses 'weekly,' which is succinct and maintains the meaning. When evaluating frequency expressions, opt for adverbs like 'weekly' over prepositional phrases unless additional clarity is needed.
During a neighborhood clean-up, volunteers sorted litter into recycling and trash. The organizer reminded everyone to rinse containers so they wouldn’t attract insects. She also noted that the city would only accept plastics labeled 1 or 2, so other plastics should go in the trash. The organizer asked volunteers to work together collaboratively to finish before noon.
Which choice is the clearest and most concise?
NO CHANGE
work together
work in a collaborative manner together
collaborate together
Explanation
This question tests recognition of redundant expressions that say the same thing twice. The underlined phrase 'work together collaboratively' contains redundancy because 'work together' and 'collaboratively' express the same concept - cooperation among people. The correct choice is 'work together,' which clearly conveys the idea without unnecessary repetition. Choice B 'collaborate together' is also redundant since 'collaborate' already means working together, and choice D compounds the redundancy problem. When you see phrases where one word already implies the meaning of another, choose the simpler version.
The plan was to proceed forward with the renovation.
NO CHANGE
to move forward
to continue forward
to proceed
Explanation
This question demonstrates directional redundancy with verbs of movement or progress. 'To proceed forward' is redundant because 'proceed' inherently means to move forward or continue in a forward direction. Choice C 'to proceed' eliminates the unnecessary directional word while maintaining complete meaning. Choices B and D maintain various forms of redundancy. Verbs that already contain directional meaning don't need additional directional modifiers to express their complete sense.
The report outlined various different methods for reducing costs.
NO CHANGE
various methods
different methods
several different methods
Explanation
This question tests recognition of redundant adjective pairs that express essentially the same concept. The phrase 'various different methods' is redundant because 'various' and 'different' convey similar ideas about diversity or variety. Choice B eliminates this redundancy with just 'various methods.' Choices C and D maintain some form of the redundancy. When you see adjectives that overlap in meaning, choose the most appropriate single term.
In a podcast about local wildlife, the host described how certain birds adapt to city parks. She explained that some species nest in building ledges, while others rely on shrubs planted along sidewalks. To keep the episode accessible, she avoided technical terms unless they were necessary. At one point, she said that pigeons are able to recognize individual human faces.
Which choice is the clearest and most concise?
NO CHANGE
capable of being able to
can
often able to
Explanation
This question evaluates concision in ability expressions, identifying verbose modal alternatives. The underlined 'able to' is acceptable but less concise than a simpler modal verb in this context. Choice D, 'can,' is the clearest and most direct way to express capability, reducing word count. Choices A, B, and C are wordier or add unneeded qualifiers like 'often.' When expressing ability, choose modals like 'can' over phrases like 'able to' for brevity, especially in accessible writing like podcasts.
A local newspaper profiled a community garden that donates vegetables to a nearby pantry. Volunteers meet on Saturdays to weed, water, and harvest. The article explained that the garden’s compost pile reduces food waste by turning scraps into soil. It also noted that the garden is located in a place that used to be an empty lot.
Which choice is the clearest and most concise?
NO CHANGE
is in the place of a location
is located
is situated in a location
Explanation
This question addresses redundant prepositional phrases that add unnecessary words. The phrase 'is located in a place' is redundant because 'located' already implies being in a place. The correct choice is 'is located,' which maintains the meaning while eliminating redundancy. Choices C and D add even more unnecessary words that repeat the concept of location. When you see phrases that repeat location concepts like 'in a place,' 'in a location,' or 'in an area,' check if simpler alternatives work.
He completely finished his homework before going out.
finished completely
NO CHANGE
was done finishing
finished
Explanation
This question identifies redundant adverbs modifying verbs that already contain the adverb's meaning. 'Completely finished' is redundant because 'finished' inherently means completely done - you cannot partially finish something. Choice C 'finished' expresses the complete meaning concisely. Choice B maintains the redundancy, and choice D creates an awkward construction. Look for adverbs that don't add new meaning to verbs that already express completion, totality, or other absolute states.
A travel writer described arriving at a coastal village just after sunrise. Fishing boats rocked gently in the harbor, and shop owners swept sand from their doorways. The writer noted that the air smelled of salt and citrus from nearby groves. The scene felt calm, not loud or noisy, compared with the city.
Which choice is the clearest and most concise?
not loud
NO CHANGE
not loud and not noisy
not loud in terms of noise
Explanation
This question addresses redundant negative expressions where multiple words express the same concept. The phrase 'not loud or noisy' is redundant because 'loud' and 'noisy' essentially mean the same thing in this context. The correct choice is 'not loud,' which conveys the meaning without redundancy. Choices C and D add even more unnecessary words. When you encounter multiple adjectives or phrases that express the same concept, choose the single most appropriate word.
A coach introduced a new warm-up routine before practice. Players started with light jogging, then moved into dynamic stretches like leg swings and arm circles. The coach explained that these movements increase blood flow and prepare muscles for quick changes in direction. The routine was designed in order to reduce injuries during drills.
Which choice is the clearest and most concise?
designed so as to be able to
NO CHANGE
designed for the purpose of
designed to
Explanation
This question focuses on eliminating unnecessary words from prepositional phrases expressing purpose. The phrase 'designed in order to' contains redundant words because 'designed to' already clearly expresses purpose. The correct choice is 'designed to,' which is concise and clear. Choices C and D add even more unnecessary words to the phrase. When expressing purpose, simple constructions like 'to [verb]' or 'designed to' are usually preferable to longer alternatives like 'in order to' or 'for the purpose of.'