Navigating ACT Sentence Structure Challenges

The video tutorial explains the importance of sentence structure, highlighting how punctuation like commas can change meaning. It covers common issues such as parallel structure in lists and comparisons, misplaced modifiers, and run-on sentences. The tutorial provides examples and solutions to these problems, emphasizing the need for consistency and clarity in writing.

Why is sentence structure important?

• It helps in making sentences longer.

• It ensures sentences make sense and convey the intended meaning.

• It makes sentences more colorful.

• It helps in writing poems.

What is the correct way to list activities you like?

• I like eating, drinking, and cooking.

• I like to eat, drink, and cooking.

• I like to eat, drinking, and to cook.

• I like eating, drinking, and to cook.

How should you compare the poems of two authors?

• I like TS Eliot more than the poems of EE Cummings.

• I like the poems of TS Eliot more than the poems of EE Cummings.

• I like the poems of TS Eliot more than EE Cummings' style.

• I like the poems of TS Eliot more than EE Cummings.

What is a misplaced modifier?

• A word or phrase that is improperly separated from the word it describes.

• A sentence that is too long.

• A word that is spelled incorrectly.

• A sentence without a subject.

How can you correct the sentence: 'I told my sister - pass me the pens who had taken up the entire desk to do her homework'?

• I told my sister to pass me the pens, which had taken up the entire desk to do her homework.

• I told my sister to pass me the pens, who had taken up the entire desk to do her homework.

• I told my sister who had taken up the entire desk to do her homework - pass me the pens.

• I told my sister to pass me the pens who had taken up the entire desk to do her homework.

Where should a modifier be placed in a sentence?

• In the middle of the sentence.

• Right next to the word it is modifying.

• At the beginning of the sentence.

• At the end of the sentence.

What is a run-on sentence?

• A sentence with too many commas.

• A sentence with two independent clauses joined without appropriate punctuation.

• A sentence that is too short.

• A sentence with a misplaced modifier.

How can you correct a run-on sentence?

• By adding a comma.

• By adding a period and capitalizing the first word of the second sentence.

• By removing some words.

• By adding more clauses.

What is one final tip for identifying sentence structure problems?

• Guess the meaning of the sentence.

• Slow down and fully read through the sentence.

• Ignore the punctuation.

• Read the sentence quickly.

What should you do if you find a sentence confusing?

• Ask someone else to read it.

• Skip it.

• Read it again slowly to identify any structure problems.

• Change the words.