Act English Word Choice

How can you make this sentence reasonable?

Equipment for both types of kayaks are similar...

• NO CHANGE

• is

• were

• was

Answer explanation

The subject "equipment" is singular and must be matched with another singular verb which makes "is" the most ideal answer choice.

Correct the sentence.

There is nothing better then waking up to the smell of freshly-brewed coffee.

• NO CHANGE

• better than

• better

• better to

Answer explanation

The word "than" should be used to describe the feeling of more than something which the sentence is expressing.

The exciting smell really gets my blood pumping.

• NO CHANGE

• simulating

• dazzling

• stimulating

Answer explanation

The words are commonly confused to match definition but stimulating matches with "gets my blood pumping."

Correct the sentence.

Last week, Olga participated in a charity event to raise money for autistic children. She was praised by the organizers of the event for her dedication to the cause.

• NO CHANGE

• has been praised

• will be praised

• praises

Answer explanation

The previous verb uses "-ed", so it is only reasonable to match the pattern.

How can you improve this sentence?

My brother claims that he will have become the president of the United States if he is able to raise enough money to run an effective campaign.

• NO CHANGE

• has become

• became

• will become

Answer explanation

The tense of the sentence is future causing for the pharse to be set in the future tense with "will."

I grew up with buckets, shovels, and nets waiting by the back door; hip-waders hanging in the closet;

• NO CHANGE

• waiting, by the back door,

• waiting by the back door,

• waiting by the back door

Answer explanation

The first comma after waiting is unnecessary, and a semi colon should be used to separate the different ideas.

I grew up with buckets, shovels, and nets waiting by the back door; hip-waders hanging in the closet; tide table charts covering the refrigerator door; and a microscope was sitting on the kitchen table.

• NO CHANGE

• would sit

• sitting

• sat

Answer explanation

The pattern in the verbs is "-ing" and must be continued to match with the topics.

Which sentence best expresses the information?

The Navajo developed and memorized the code. Since their language did not have words for common U.S. military equipment, they turned to nature.

• NO CHANGE

• The Navajo, who were various heights and weights,

• Being of various heights and weights, the Navajo

• The Navajo of different sizes

Answer explanation

Each of the answer choices are not relevant to the development of the creation of a code, which causes them to be irrelevant.

Conclude the sentence with the most relevant option.

Julia wanted to move into her brother's room after he graduated from high school, but she wasn't able to because he ended up living at home for his first year of college.

• NO CHANGE

• because he ended up living at home.

• because he decided to major in biology.

• OMIT the underlined portion, ending the sentence with a period after to.

Answer explanation

Tip for relevance questions: some of the answers have a lot more words than others and the answers provide information that doesn't appear elsewhere in the passage, focus on the answers and it's easy to spot the tricky questions.

Correct Verb Question: No one can say for sure that these volcanoes will not erupt again in the future, so scientists take serious the study of every volcano situated where a future eruption could bring significant human loss and environmental damage.

• NO CHANGE

• taken seriously

• seriously taking

• take seriously