English ACT Aspire Practice Test

What is the correct punctuation and structure of the phrase: "Later, the afternoon dust scattered as the ___ squeaked to a stop in front of the studio?"

1. NO CHANGE

2. wheels, of an ancient tour bus,

3. wheels of an ancient, tour bus

4. wheels of an ancient tour bus,

The correct answer is: NO CHANGE

The phrase "Later, the afternoon dust scattered as the ___ squeaked to a stop in front of the studio?" maintains its clarity and coherence with the selection of "NO CHANGE." This structure effectively conveys the action taking place without unnecessary interruptions or additions. Using "wheels, of an ancient tour bus," introduces a misplaced comma that disrupts the flow, suggesting an incorrect pause in the sentence. The phrase "wheels of an ancient, tour bus" also incorrectly positions a comma, making it seem as though "ancient" is part of a non-restrictive clause that would not clarify the noun properly. On the other hand, "wheels of an ancient tour bus," adds a comma at the end, which would imply the sentence isn't finished, leading to confusion. The original structure avoids these issues by providing a smooth, uninterrupted complete thought that allows readers to visualize the scene more vividly.