Final answer:
The answer to the question is True, as removing the non-essential phrase set apart by commas does not alter the essential meaning of the sentence, leaving a coherent statement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks whether the sentence "And when the middle of the afternoon came, from being a poor poverty-stricken boy in the morning, Tom was literally rolling in wealth" will still make sense if the phrase set apart by commas is removed. The answer is True. Removing the phrase set apart by commas leaves us with "And when the middle of the afternoon came, Tom was literally rolling in wealth," which still conveys a complete and coherent thought.
When punctuating sentences, it is important to note that placing commas around a phrase suggests that it is not essential to the overall meaning of the sentence. Phrases that can be omitted without changing the basic meaning of the sentence are non-essential and can be set off with commas. However, removing essential information can change the meaning of the sentence or result in a sentence fragment.