ACT English Quiz #1

A century ago, a common problem in soccer games was players not participating in the game, but rather lingering by the goal to get an easy point. A rule was made, therefore, that stated a player would be considered offside if he or she were beyond the second-to-last defender while the ball was in play. 

• F. NO CHANGE

• G. instead,

• H. likewise,

• J. meanwhile,

Answer explanation

The correct answer is F

Choice G is incorrect, because instead expresses a contradiction. Choice H is incorrect because likewise shows comparison and similarity. Choice J is incorrect because meanwhile shows two events occurring simultaneously which are not related to each other. Choice F is correct because therefore is used to give support to a previous statement.

After you cross from the quiet Nashville Avenue, to the busier Magazine Street, you will see my aunt’s hat shop just to the right of the stop sign.

• A. NO CHANGE

• B. Avenue to the busier Magazine Street;

• C. Avenue to the busier Magazine Street,

• D. Avenue, to the busier Magazine Street

Answer explanation

The correct answer is C

Choice A is incorrect because it adds an extra comma after Avenue, which is unnecessary. Choice B is incorrect because it places an unnecessary semicolon that disrupts the flow of the sentence. Choice D is incorrect because the comma is placed after Avenue instead of after Street. Choice C is the correct answer because it places the necessary comma after the introductory phrase.

Bears do not usually interact with humans, but many have discovered that food left around a campsite is easy dinner. 

• F. NO CHANGE

• G. is easy to

• H. are easy

• J. are easily

Answer explanation

The correct answer is F

Choice G is incorrect because easy to dinner is illogical. Choice H is incorrect because are easy does not agree with the singular subject food. Choice J is also incorrect because are easily to dinner is not a proper verb construction, and are does not agree with the singular noun food. Choice F is the correct answer because it is the only option that agrees with food.

In an 1889 self-portrait depicting his bandaged ear, Van Gogh portrayed himself smoking a pipe and looking solemn.

• A. NO CHANGE

• B. himself, smoking a pipe

• C. himself smoking, a pipe

• D. himself smoking a pipe,

Answer explanation

The correct answer is A

Choices B and C are incorrect because a comma interrupts the flow of the phrase—portrayed himself smoking a pipe does not require a comma or pause. Choice D is incorrect because and looking solemn is not a complete clause that should be separated with a comma— the conjunction and is sufficient for linking the two actions, smoking and looking. Choice A is the correct answer because there is no need for punctuation to break up the phrase.

Each winter, as they prepare to hibernate, many bears lower their metabolic rate and drop their core temperature by about ten degrees. 

A

• A. NO CHANGE 

• B. needing to drop their temperature to hibernate, 

• C. after preparing by dropping their metabolic rate, 

• D. DELETE the underlined portion. 

Answer explanation

The correct answer is A

Choices B and C are incorrect because they repeat information already stated in another part of the sentence. Choice D is incorrect because it deletes a key part of the sentence that explains the reasons for the actions described in the latter half. Choice A is correct because it provides key information to the sentence without repeating points stated later. 

E-book technology advanced significantly in great strides in the past decade with the widespread adoption of electrophoretic ink. 

• A. NO CHANGE

• B. progressed by jumping ahead with 

• C. substantially jumped ahead by making 

• D. made

Answer explanation

The correct answer is D

Choices A, B, and C are all incorrect, as they introduce unnecessary and redundant words into the sentence. Choice D is correct because it conveys the main ideas in the sentence without adding any redundancies.

Undeterred, he thought of methods to increase productivity and proposed it to his superiors.

• A. NO CHANGE

• B. it was proposed by him

• C. they were proposed by him

• D. proposed them

Answer explanation

The correct answer is D

Choices A and B are incorrect because they use the singular pronoun it with the plural antecedent methods. Choice C is incorrect because the phrase they were proposed is in the passive voice. Choice D is correct because it uses the plural pronoun them.

I always try to carry at least one extra thumb drive. Who knows when they will go bad and stop working?

• F. NO CHANGE

• G. the one I’m using

• H. something

• J. either one

Answer explanation

The correct answer is G

Choice F is incorrect because the plural pronoun they does not agree with the singular antecedent one extra thumb drive. Choice H is incorrect because something is unnecessarily vague. Choice J is incorrect because either one presents a choice, but this is not reflected in the context. Choice G is correct because the one I’m using is singular and clarifies why the narrator would carry an extra thumb drive.

Shortly after my mom assured me that Nala wouldn’t bite, I knelt down to look at her double dewclaw, or extra two claws.

Which of the alternatives shown below would NOT be acceptable?

• F. As soon as my

• G. After my

• H. My

• J. Once my

Answer explanation

The correct answer is H

Choices F, G, and J are incorrect because they create dependent clauses. Choice H is correct because the two independent clauses joined without a coordinating conjunction creates a run-on sentence. Because the question asks which choice would NOT be acceptable, the grammatically incorrect answer is right.

Over the horizon rose the sun, a great ball of fire that cast a long stream of visible light across through the canyon. 

• A. NO CHANGE

• B. noticeable light there 

• C. light

• D. light that fell in a long and narrow shaft 

Answer explanation

The correct answer is C

Choices A and B are incorrect because they repeat information already stated in the sentence (in phrases like visible light and noticeable light). Choice D is incorrect because the phrase a long and narrow shaft has the same meaning as a long stream, which appears earlier in the sentence. Choice C is correct because it contains the key information stated in the sentence without introducing any redundancies.