A. NO CHANGE B. clear is that, C. clear is, that D. clear is that

Preparing for the ACT test can be a daunting task for many students, but understanding and mastering English grammar and punctuation is crucial for success on the ACT English section. To effectively prepare, students should focus on practice exercises that mirror ACT style questions, like the one provided in this exercise.

By repeatedly solving these kinds of problems, and reviewing explanations and solutions, students reinforce their understanding of English grammar rules. This familiarity with test structure and content types contributes to a more efficient and confident test-taking experience.

ACT Strategy Tips:

• Practice with real ACT tests to become familiar with the format and question types.
• Focus on understanding grammar rules rather than memorizing them.
• Review explanations thoroughly to understand why an answer is correct or incorrect.
• Take timed practice tests to build speed and endurance for the actual test day.
• Analyze your practice test results to identify areas of strength and weakness.

Implementing these strategies can turn test preparation into a structured plan of attack, enabling students to approach the ACT with confidence.

The ACT English section measures a student's proficiency in recognizing and applying standard English conventions which include grammar and punctuation. In the provided exercise, the question centers around selecting a phrase with the correct punctuation and syntax.

Punctuation marks, like commas, can drastically change the meaning of a sentence or its readability. In the context of the ACT, proper punctuation use is tested rigorously. A typical confusion arises with comma placement around conjunctions and introductory phrases.

Common Punctuation Mistakes:

• Incorrect comma usage around restrictive and non-restrictive clauses.
• Using commas where they aren't necessary, causing sentence fragmentation.
• Omitting commas in compound sentences or in lists, leading to run-on sentences.

Studying the rules that govern punctuation use and applying them in various contexts is key to choosing the correct answer, as displayed in the step-by-step solution for this exercise.

Standard English conventions form the foundation of effective communication and writing. On the ACT, questions that touch upon these standards require students to select the option that adheres to recognized grammar rules and sentence structures.

Conventions include everything from subject-verb agreement and verb tense consistency to pronoun clarity and sentence structure. When approaching a problem like the one in the exercise, being attentive to conventional standards is crucial for pinpointing the correct answer.

Key Focus Areas for Standard English Conventions:

• Understand proper sentence structure and identify awkward phrasing.
• Ensure pronouns clearly refer to the appropriate noun.
• Consistently apply verb tenses within a passage.
• Maintain verb agreement with complex subjects.

The simplicity and clarity of option D in the exercise align with these conventions, making it the best choice. By mastering standard English conventions, students improve not only their ACT scores but also their overall writing skills.