ACT Preparation / Unit 2 ACT 0122 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Colon or No Colon
The idea
A colon question is answered by reading only the words before the colon. Step one: cover everything after it. Step two: ask whether the uncovered words make a complete sentence, with a subject, a verb and a complete thought. Step three: if they do, and what follows lists, explains or sums up, the colon stands. If they do not, delete the colon, or rewrite the opening as a complete clause.
In practice
Worked example: "The recipe needs: flour, eggs and butter." Covered, "The recipe needs" lacks its object, so the colon goes: "The recipe needs flour, eggs and butter." Second: "Bring warm clothes such as: a coat and gloves." The colon follows such as, so it goes. Third: "She had one goal: to finish the race." "She had one goal" is complete, and what follows explains it, so the colon stands.
Where people slip
Whether the words after the colon form a sentence does not matter; the anchor allows either. Only the words before the colon decide.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
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