Tip #5 to Get a Top ACT English Reading Science Score (page 2)

Most kids see commas as a great mystery. But commas follow rules. They just indicate a pause; they are very relaxing. So when a comma is underlined on the ACT, ask yourself, Should there be a pause here? Use your ear—read it with and without a pause and see which works.

When you need to double-check your ear, here are the comma rules for the ACT:

1. Use a comma to set off a side note.

Example: This book, as you know, is quite excellent.

You can hear the pause before and after the side note "as you know."

Example: You, Matt, are a great pianist.

You can hear the pause before and after the side note "Matt."

These sentences would sound bizarre if you read them without the pauses.

2. Don't use a comma if a phrase is essential to the sentence, because then it's not a side note.

Example: The word "facile" comes from the Spanish word for easy.

No commas because the word "facile" is essential, not a side note. If we took it out, the sentence would lose its meaning.

Plus, if you try pausing before and after, it sounds weird.

There's one more rule that we need, which we'll do in Skill 6.

Let's take a look at this question:

Not me, the budding politician, an assistant to the assistant of the assistant?

A. No change

B. me the budding politician an

C. me the budding politican an,

D. me the budding politican; an

Solution: Try it with and without pauses. With pauses it sounds clear, and without pauses it sounds confusing and jumbled. "The budding politician" is a side note, inessential to the meaning of the sentence, so we need the commas.

Correct answer: A

Example Problems

My Room

My always there for me. All my things are there: the pictures, the books, the folders from fourth grade. The walls are covered with from my three-year-old birthday poster to faded paintings done in seventh grade.

The rugs always dusty, always comforting, are a multicolor patchwork Out the window is a familiar landscape, always there, like an old friend that won't let me down. The colors of the and red, are deep rich colors that warm me and keep me safe. Sometimes, like on hot days, the deep colors keep me cool.

The most special place in the whole It's a place to relax and just be, a reassuring face in a sometimes unfriendly world. The cozy blankets are always ready to warm me; the pillow is a fluffy cloud. My room is a special world all of my own.

1.  
   1. NO CHANGE
   2. room,
   3. room is,
   4. room is
2.  
   6. NO CHANGE
   7. memories;
   8. memories,
   10. memories, and
3.  
   1. NO CHANGE
   2. underfoot, really
   3. underfoot are
   4. underfoot,
4.  
   6. NO CHANGE
   7. of, irregular, shapes
   8. of, irregular shapes
   10. of irregular, shapes
5.  
   1. NO CHANGE
   2. wall is blue
   3. wall, blue
   4. wall, being blue
6.  
   6. NO CHANGE
   7. therefore,
   8. though;
   10. though,
7.  
   1. NO CHANGE
   2. room is my bed
   3. room, being my bed
   4. room; my bed