ACT English Prep

English Test Skill: Redundancy

Astronaut Gordon Cooper, spaceship crewmember, believed that unidentified flying objects might indeed be “extra-terrestrial vehicles and their crews” visiting our planet. 

• F.

  NO CHANGE 

• G.

  Cooper 

• H.

  Cooper who was a spaceship crewmember, 

• J.

  Cooper—spaceship crewmember— 

Answer explanation

Choices F, H, and J are incorrect because spaceship crewmember is synonymous with astronaut, which is already stated in the sentence. Choice G is correct because it eliminates the redundancy in the sentence. 

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.1

CCSS.W.11-12.4

English Test Skill: Redundancy

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

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. 

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.1

CCSS.L.11-12.3

English Test Skill: Redundancy

The book house publishes illustrated series that contain not only the original text of the classics, but sketches of scenes made by contemporaneous artists. 

• F

  NO CHANGE 

• G.

  visually illustrated 

• H.

  visually illustration 

• J.

  illustration 

Answer explanation

Choice G is incorrect because visually illustrated is redundant. Choice H is incorrect because visually illustration is also redundant and awkward. Choice J is incorrect because an adjective is needed to modify series, but illustration is a noun. Choice F is correct because it does not repeat unnecessary information and uses the correct form of illustrated. 

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.1

English Test Skill: Redundancy

In my life, different types of music have became linked to certain memories—for example, disco music reminds me of my eighth birthday party at the skating rink. 

• F

  NO CHANGE 

• G.

  becomed

• H.

  had became

• J.

  become 

Answer explanation

Choices F and H are incorrect because in order for the word became to work in this sentence, have or had would need to be omitted. Choice G is incorrect because becomed is not a word and is never correct. Choice J is the correct option because it properly sets the sentence in the present tense.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.1

English Test Skill: Redundancy

Her efforts to expand literacy have been praised by many parents, admiring her dedication to the future of her students.  

• A.

  NO CHANGE 

• B

  would of been

• C.

  has been

• D.

  was 

Answer explanation

Choice B is incorrect because the phrase would of been is not grammatically correct; the helping verb have is needed instead of the preposition of. Choices C and D are incorrect because the helping verbs has and was are singular and do not agree with the plural subject efforts. Choice A is the correct answer because have been agrees with efforts in both tense and number.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.1

English Test Skill: Redundancy

Nearly every argument in our lives include someone yelling loudly about something inconsequential. 

• A.

  NO CHANGE 

• B

  includes them

• C.

  include somebody

• D.

  includes someone

Answer explanation

Choices A and C are incorrect because include does not agree with the subject argument; even though lives is the closest noun to the underlined portion, the full subject is argument in our lives. Choice B is incorrect because the sentence does not specify the antecedent of the pronoun them and makes the meaning unclear. Choice D is the correct answer because it agrees with the subject argument in both number and tense.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.1

English Test Skill: Style & Tone

Others followed the trend set by Reel Big Fish and began to incorporate more classic instruments into their music. Like other popular music, ska is upbeat, targets a wide variety of listeners, and utilizes similar rhythms and harmonies that means it will be around for a bit.

• A.

  No change

• B.

  causes it to be an enduring style with an ageless appeal.

• C.

  makes many people really enjoy it. 

• D.

  confirms its continued appeal. 

Answer explanation

Choices A and C are incorrect because the style is too casual. Choice B is incorrect because it is redundant and formal. Choice D is correct because it maintains the educated style of the passage without becoming complicated. 

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

English Test Skill: Style & Tone

My aunt’s house has one of the more peculiar decors I have ever seen; her love for history is on display in every room. The kitchen displays pictures of ancient recipes and dishes. The living room is adorned with antique rugs, and old maps hang on the walls. However, her study is oddly devoid of such decorations. Where the expectation would be to find small statues of great leaders or depictions of famous battles, there are only pictures of our family gatherings and commendable animals.

Which answer best maintains the tone and style of the paragraph? 

• F.

  No change

• G.

  housetrained animals. 

• H.

  beloved pets. 

• J.

  honorable creatures.  

Answer explanation

Choices F and J are incorrect because they don’t reflect the shift in tone the paragraph is taking. Choice G is incorrect because the style is too formal for the context. Choice H is correct because it matches the shift in tone. 

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.5

CCSS.L.11-12.6

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

CCSS.W.11-12.4

English Test Skill: Word Choice

A reasonable number of scholars are hoping to reverse the trend, arguing that these contributions to literature are just as important as those made by more well-known authors. 

Which choice will most strongly suggest that the number of people interested in this sort of literature is on the rise? 

• A.

  No change

• B.

  fair

• C.

  growing

• D.

  DELETE the underlined portion 

Answer explanation

Choices A and B do not convey the idea that the number of people interested in preserving lesser known literature is increasing. Choice D also does not convey the idea that the number of scholars is rising and leaves the sentence vague. Choice C is correct because it explicitly states that the number of people interested in this sort of literature is increasing. 

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

English Test Skill: Word Choice

For example, in one song, the image of a train whistle is described as a lonesome, haunting lament. 

Which choice would be most appropriate in the context of this sentence? 

• F.

  No change

• G.

  symbol

• H.

  sound 

• J.

  sense 

Answer explanation

The sentence refers to a whistle blowing, which is a sound. Choice F is incorrect because it refers to the sound as a visual image. Choice G is incorrect because a symbol is not typically described; rather, a description is a symbol of another item. Choice J is incorrect because in this context, sense has the meaning of sensation, which is awkward with the rest of the sentence. Choice H is correct because it refers to the whistle blowing as a sound. 

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9