Question

grammar passage
when developmental researchers ask whether music training is associated with social and emotional skills, null or inconsistent findings often emerge, although these could be a consequence of the measures that are used. for example, parents reports of their childrens cooperative behaviors are not associated with the childs music training. one study found no effects of 6 months of school - based music training on 10 - to 13 - year - olds reports of self - esteem.

studies with null findings have often examined individual music lessons with one student and one teacher, or group lessons with minimal interaction among students. lessons taught in groups, especially those that promote positive interactions and cooperation among students, may reveal positive findings. drama lessons 1 which are interactive by nature—improve social skills (e.g., cooperating, empathy), whereas music lessons with minimal interaction among students do not. among adults, attending music concerts—a group activity—is associated positively with prosocial behaviors such as voting, donating to charities, volunteering, and community involvement, even after controlling for confounding variables.

suggestions that group music making causes improved social and emotional skills come primarily from programs that were designed specifically to promote such skills. in one instance, random assignment of 8 - to 11 - year - olds to 9 months of interactive music - making in groups of four to eight children led to increases in empathy. the music group also exhibited an advantage in remembering the emotions conveyed by photographs of facial expressions. although the program was successful, it involved a \specially tailored\
hint: most act english questions can be answered by looking at the referenced sentence without reading the whole passage
question 1 / 5
this question refers to 1
choose the option that best improves underlined portion number 1.
a no change
b — which are interactive by nature,
c — which are interactive by nature —
d which are interactive by nature,

Explanation:

To improve the underlined portion, we need to use appropriate punctuation for the parenthetical phrase "which are interactive by nature". Parenthetical phrases (non - essential information) should be set off with em dashes, commas, or parentheses. In this case, since the phrase is providing additional information about "Drama lessons", using em dashes around it (as in option C) is appropriate. Option A uses em dashes but the structure is a bit off. Option B uses a comma and a dash which is inconsistent. Option D uses only commas, but for a parenthetical phrase that is more of an aside, em dashes are better here.

Answer:

C. — which are interactive by nature —