ACT Practice 3/31

Either the cat or the dog are to blame.

• are

• am

• were

• is

Answer explanation

The correct verb is 'is' because the subject 'Either the cat or the dog' is singular. In this construction, 'either/or' takes a singular verb, making 'is' the appropriate choice.

The tomato, though disgusting vegetables, are beneficial to your health.

• Tomatoes

• Many tomato

• Tomato

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'Tomatoes' because it correctly pluralizes 'tomato' to match the context of the sentence, which discusses the health benefits of tomatoes as a group, rather than a single tomato.

Though the ACT Writing test might have been rigged, no one were harmed.

• were

• was

• is

• are

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'was' because it agrees with the singular subject 'no one'. The phrase should read: 'no one was harmed', indicating that no individuals were affected.

If the noun is singular, the verb must be ______

• single

• plural

• singular

• player

Answer explanation

In English grammar, a singular noun requires a singular verb to maintain subject-verb agreement. Therefore, if the noun is singular, the correct form of the verb must also be singular.

The students were studying for their history test _____ it covers everything from the 1850's to the present.

• comma

• colon

• semicolon

Answer explanation

The correct choice is a semicolon because it connects two independent clauses. The first clause is about students studying, and the second clause explains the content of the test, making a semicolon appropriate.

How is it one careless match can start a forest fire; but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?
Is the semicolon used correctly?

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

The semicolon is incorrectly used here. It should separate two independent clauses, but the second part is not a complete sentence. A comma or a conjunction would be more appropriate, making the correct answer 'No'.

There are two kinds of fruit on the table ___ oranges and apples.

• 
• 
• 
• no punctuation needed

The artist preferred to paint in oils ___ he did not like water colors.

• 
• 
• 
• no punctuation needed

Choose the sentence with correct punctuation:
The artist preferred to paint in oils he did not like watercolors.

• No Change

• The artist preferred to paint in oils: he did not like watercolors.

• The artist preferred to paint in oils, he did not like watercolors.

• The artist preferred to paint in oils; he did not like watercolors.

Answer explanation

The correct choice uses a semicolon to connect two independent clauses: "The artist preferred to paint in oils; he did not like watercolors." This punctuation properly separates the two related thoughts.

Where does the comma go? 
After Madeline died Usher decided to sell her car. 

• died,

• Madeline, 

• Usher, 

• her, 

Answer explanation

The comma should be placed after 'died' to separate the clauses. The correct sentence is: 'After Madeline died, Usher decided to sell her car.' This clarifies the timing of Usher's decision.