ACT English: Production of Writing

Which of the following best expresses the main idea of a paragraph about the benefits of exercise?

• Exercise can help you lose weight quickly

• Regular exercise improves overall health and well-being

• Gyms are expensive but necessary for proper exercise

• Professional athletes exercise for hours every day

Answer explanation

The main idea of the paragraph is best captured by 'Regular exercise improves overall health and well-being' as it encompasses the broad benefits of exercise, unlike the other options which are more specific or limiting.

In the sentence "The company's new policy effected all employees," which word should replace "effected"?

• Affected

• Impacted

• Influenced

• Concerned

Answer explanation

In the sentence, 'affected' is the correct term as it means to have an influence on something. 'Effected' implies causing something to happen, which is not the intended meaning here.

Which transition word best connects the ideas in these sentences: "The economy is struggling. _, unemployment rates are rising."?

• However

• Therefore

• Meanwhile

• Furthermore

Answer explanation

The correct transition word is 'Therefore' because it indicates a cause-and-effect relationship. The struggling economy leads to rising unemployment rates, making 'Therefore' the best choice to connect these ideas.

Choose the sentence that maintains parallel structure:

• She enjoys hiking, swimming, and to ride bikes

• She enjoys hiking, swimming, and biking

• She enjoys to hike, to swim, and riding bikes

• She enjoys to hike, swimming, and to ride bikes

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'She enjoys hiking, swimming, and biking', maintains parallel structure by using gerunds consistently. The other options mix verb forms, disrupting the parallelism.

Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?

• The meeting ran late; we missed our train.

• The meeting ran late, we; missed our train.

• The meeting; ran late we missed our train.

• The meeting ran late we missed; our train.

Answer explanation

The correct sentence is "The meeting ran late; we missed our train." because it properly uses a semicolon to connect two independent clauses. The other options misuse semicolons or lack necessary punctuation.

Identify the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement:

• The group of students were excited about the field trip

• The group of students was excited about the field trip

• The group of students have been excited about the field trip

• The group of students is being excited about the field trip

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'The group of students was excited about the field trip' because 'group' is a collective noun that takes a singular verb. The other options incorrectly use plural verbs or forms.

Which sentence uses commas correctly?

• After the long, tiring day we went home, and relaxed.

• After the long tiring day, we went home and relaxed.

• After the long, tiring day, we went home, and relaxed.

• After the long tiring day we went home and, relaxed.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'After the long, tiring day, we went home, and relaxed.' It properly uses commas to separate adjectives and clauses, enhancing clarity and readability.

Choose the sentence that avoids redundancy:

• The ancient artifact was very old and antique

• The ancient artifact was discovered in an old tomb

• The old, antique artifact was found in an ancient site

• The artifact was both ancient and very old in its age

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'The ancient artifact was discovered in an old tomb,' avoids redundancy by using 'ancient' and 'old' appropriately without repeating similar meanings, unlike the other options.

Which sentence uses a colon correctly?

• The following items are required: pencils, paper, and calculators.

• Please bring: pencils, paper, and calculators.

• You will need these items for the test: pencils, paper, and calculators

• Remember to bring these: pencils, paper, and calculators.

Answer explanation

The correct sentence is 'The following items are required: pencils, paper, and calculators.' because it properly introduces a list after a complete clause, demonstrating correct colon usage.

Identify the sentence that maintains a consistent tone:

• The formal gala was a swanky affair, and everyone looked totally awesome

• The formal gala was an elegant event, and all attendees were impeccably dressed

• The formal gala was a high-class shindig, and folks showed up in fancy threads

• The formal gala was a sophisticated soirée, and it was lit

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'The formal gala was an elegant event, and all attendees were impeccably dressed,' maintains a consistent formal tone, unlike the other options which use informal language or slang.