McGraw-Hill Education ACT 2017 (2016)

Part III. STRATEGIES AND REVIEW

Chapter 3. ACT ENGLISH TEST: STRATEGIES AND CONCEPT REVIEW

The ACT English Test is designed to measure your ability to understand and interpret Standard Written English. Each English Test includes 5 passages with 15 questions each, for a total of 75 multiple-choice questions. The passages cover a variety of subjects, ranging from historical discussions to personal narratives. The questions are divided into two main categories: Usage/Mechanics questions and Rhetorical Skills questions. Usage/Mechanics questions test your basic English usage and grammar skills, while Rhetorical Skills questions test your ability to express an idea clearly and concisely. In this chapter, we’ll give you useful strategies and techniques, an overview of the rules of grammar and punctuation that will be tested by Usage/Mechanics questions, and a breakdown of the writing skills tested by Rhetorical Skills questions. (You will find all of this information useful on the optional Writing Test also.) At the end of the chapter, you will find some sample practice questions and explanations.

Exam Tip

You will have 45 minutes to complete the English Test.

Image   GENERAL STRATEGIES AND TECHNIQUES

Use the following general strategies when tackling the ACT English Test:

Listen to Your Brain

This technique is known as “subvocalization” to psychologists. It means to sort of “read aloud silently.” You can usually trust your impulses when answering many of the questions on the English Test. In other words, if it sounds right to you, it probably is. You will recognize when and how to apply basic rules of grammar, even if you don’t recall what the specific rule is. You can tap into the part of your brain that controls language processing as you read. That part of your brain “knows” how English is supposed to sound. Let that part of your brain work for you. Remember, the ACT English Test does NOT require you to state a specific rule, only to apply it correctly. Consider the following example:

Exam Tip

If all else is equal, you should lean toward the shortest answer.

Instead of studying for the Image students went to a movie.

When you read this sentence to yourself, your brain is most likely going to recognize that the first sentence is a fragment. You will probably automatically combine both sentences. On the ACT, look for the answer choice that replaces the period with a comma.

Avoid Redundancy

On the ACT English Test, wordiness and redundancy are never rewarded. Throughout the test, you will be asked to make choices that best express an idea. Usually, the fewer words that you use, the better. Be wary of words that have the same meaning being used in the same sentence. For example, it is not necessary to say “the tiny, little girl smiled at me.” Both tiny and little have the same meaning, so using one or the other is sufficient. Consider the following example:

Canadian currency usually Image very different from its American counterpart.

Because “looks” and “appears” mean the same thing, you can simply pick one of them to make the sentence better.

Exam Tip

Skim the passage. If you have a general sense of the structure and overall meaning of the passage, you will be more likely to choose the correct answers on questions that ask about a specific part of the passage.

Take DELETE and NO CHANGE Seriously

You will sometimes see the answer choice “DELETE the underlined portion.” Selecting this option will remove the underlined portion from the sentence or paragraph. “DELETE” is a viable answer choice when it eliminates redundant or irrelevant statements. When “DELETE” is given as an answer choice on the ACT, it is correct more than half of the time. Consider the following example:

It is important to Image carefully plan your class schedule each semester.

While this sentence is grammatically correct, it contains redundancy. The underlined portion is not necessary to the sentence; in fact, the sentence is much more concise and logical without the underlined portion. When DELETE is offered as an answer choice, ask yourself whether or not the underlined portion is relevant and necessary to the general structure of the sentence. If it is not, DELETE may be your best choice.

Exam Tip

Since there can only be one correct answer for each question, you can eliminate any two choices that mean the same as each other. If you find that two of the choices are synonyms, eliminate them both.

On the ACT English Test, the first answer choice for almost every question is NO CHANGE. This answer choice should come up about as often as the others do on your answer sheet. Just because a portion of the passage is underlined doesn’t mean that there is something wrong with it. Consider the following example:

The old man often fished the river that Image his cabin door.

This sentence does not require any changes. On the ACT, the answer choices to a question like this might include a different word, such as the past-form verb passed. Your job is to consider grammar, context, and word choice when selecting the best answer, and recognize when the sentence is best as written.

Image   USAGE AND MECHANICS

This area of the ACT English Test addresses punctuation, grammar and usage, and sentence structure. The 40 Usage/Mechanics questions on the actual ACT ask you to apply the rules of Standard Written English to specific sections of the passage, which are usually underlined.

The following strategies and techniques, along with those mentioned on pages 103 and 104, should help you to move quickly and accurately through the Usage and Mechanics questions on the ACT English Test. Review Appendix 2, “Grammar and Punctuation Rules,” to brush up on the general rules of Standard Written English.

Try the Answer Choices

Because the test asks you to consider replacing the underlined portion, read each of the choices back into the sentence and select the one that is grammatically correct and/or clearly expresses the idea. If an answer choice creates an error in grammar or sounds awkward and wordy, eliminate it. Consider the following examples:

We arrived home three weeks later Image an incredible transformation; all of the water damage had been repaired!

1.   A.  NO CHANGE

B.  by witnessing

C.  for the witnessing of

D.  to the witness of

The best answer is A.  This sentence is correct as written. It is in the active voice and correctly uses the infinitive “to witness.” Answer choice B suggests that witnessing the transformation was the method by which the author arrived home, which doesn’t make sense. Answer choices C and D are awkward when read back into the sentence and do not effectively convey the intended idea. Because answer choice A is clear, concise, and error-free, it is the best choice.

I removed a picture from the Image it in the photo album.

Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion would NOT be acceptable?

2.   F.  box and then placed

G.  box; then I placed

H.  box, placed

 J.  box, placing

The best answer is H.  When you read each of the answer choices back into the original sentence, the only one that does NOT work is “box, placed.” This selection creates an incomplete sentence. The remaining answer choices are grammatically correct and clearly express the intended idea.

Simplify the Answer Choices

Sometimes you can quickly eliminate incorrect answer choices by showing that one part of an answer choice is incorrect; if one part is wrong, the whole thing is wrong. Simplify the answer choices by focusing on one part at a time. Consider the following examples:

My English teacher gave us daily quizzes, which angered and confused us. Soon, the Image became clear.

1.   A.  NO CHANGE

B.  teachers motives

C.  teacher’s motives

D.  teacher’s motive’s

The best answer is C.  The first step in answering this question is to determine how many teachers are there. The previous sentence says “My English teacher,” so there is only one teacher. Therefore, you can eliminate answer choices A and B, which include the plural form of the noun “teacher.” Because both answer choices C and D include the singular possessive form, you can assume that is the correct form of the noun; move on to the word “motives.” You simply have to decide whether the plural form or the singular possessive form is correct. In this case, the plural form is best—the teacher has more than one motive—so answer choice C must be correct. The singular possessive form “motive’s” is not correct because no possession is indicated.

My dog ran away and Image collar.

2.   F.  NO CHANGE

G.  lost it’s

H.  lost its’

 J.  losing it’s

The best answer is F.  The first step in quickly answering this question is to focus on the pronoun. Because the collar belongs to the dog, the possessive form “its” is correct, and you can eliminate answer choices G and J, which include the contraction of “it is,” and answer choice H, which is never correct. (You know that s’ generally indicates plural possession; “it” is a singular pronoun and can never show plural possession.) By simplifying the answer choices you are able to quickly and accurately select the correct answer. Additionally, if you knew for certain that “its” was correct, a quick glance at the answer choices would reveal that answer choice F was the only viable option.

Exam Tip

Pay attention to apostrophes—you can often eliminate incorrect answer choices by quickly deciding whether an apostrophe is necessary.

Don’t Make New Mistakes

Because this test is timed, your tendency might be to rush through some of the seemingly more simple Usage and Mechanics questions. Be careful not to select an answer choice that introduces a new error to the sentence. Consider the following examples:

While Image one of his counselors Steve, his friend’s older brother.

1.   A.  NO CHANGE

B.  they’re

C.  there,

D.  there, he had as

The best answer is D.  Because “they’re” is the contraction of “they are,” you can eliminate answer choices A and B. You might have been tempted to select the shortest, most concise answer, which would be answer choice C. However, this choice creates a sentence fragment.

Attending a large university has taught me to understand and appreciate Image my own.

2.   F. NO CHANGE

G. cultures different then

H. cultures different from

 J. cultures differently by

The best answer is H. The context of the sentence suggests a contrast between the writer’s culture and those cultures that are different. Be careful not to misread answer choice G and select it—“then” indicates a time, not a contrast. Answer choices F and J are awkward and use the adverb “differently” to modify the verbs “understand” and “appreciate,” instead of the adjective “different” to modify the noun “cultures.”

Image   RHETORICAL SKILLS

This area of the ACT English Test addresses writing strategy, organization, and style. Rhetoric can be defined as “effective and persuasive use of language.” The 35 Rhetorical Skills questions assess your ability to make choices about the effectiveness and clarity of a word, phrase, sentence, or paragraph. You may also be asked about the English passage as a whole. Most of the Rhetorical Skills questions are referred to by a number in a box. The following is more information on the three main categories of Rhetorical Skills questions:

Strategy: The choices made and methods used by an author when composing or revising an essay.

The ACT English Test measures your ability to recognize several areas of writing strategy, including the flow of ideas; the appropriateness and purpose of both the passage and elements of the passage; and the effectiveness of opening, transitional, and closing sentences. Take a look at the following sample Strategy question:

Horseback riding requires less skill than many people think. Granted, not just anyone can hop onto the back of a horse and maneuver the animal around a racetrack or jumping course, but many people can sit comfortably in a saddle for a short period of time while a horse calmly walks along a wooded trail. Image

1.   The writer wishes to add information here that will further support the point made in the preceding sentence. Which of the following sentences will do that best?

A.  Saddles are designed for specific purposes, such as pleasure riding, barrel racing, and roping.

B.  Each year, thousands of people who have never before been on a horse enjoy guided, one-hour trail rides.

C.  Even experienced riders enjoy the peace and tranquility of a ride through the woods after a long day of training.

D.  Former racehorses are often used as trail horses when they retire from the track.

1.   The best answer is B.  To correctly answer this question, you must first determine the point made in the preceding sentence. The main point of the sentence is that many people, even if they are not skilled at horseback riding, can ride at a slow pace for a short period of time. Answer choice B best supports that idea by providing information about the large number of firsttime riders who enjoy relatively short trail rides.

Organization: Developing logical sequences, categorizing elements, ranking items in order, identifying main ideas, making connections, writing introductions and conclusions, and resolving problems within an essay.

Organization questions on the ACT English Test are designed to test issues related to the organization of ideas within a passage, the most logical order of sentences and paragraphs, and the relevance of statements made within the context of the passage. The following is an example of an Organization question:

[1] Prior to this, my mother had stated that she and my dad would only be staying with me for three days. [2] As adults, we often have mixed feelings about a visit from our parents—while we are happy to see them, we also hope that their stay is for a definite and short period of time. [3] My parents recently planned a trip to my neck of the woods, and I prepared my humble home for their arrival. [4] They showed up on the appointed day and my mother announced that they would stay for a full week.

2.   Which of the following sequences of sentences will make this paragraph most logical?

F.  NO CHANGE

G.  1, 4, 3, 2

H.  2, 3, 4, 1

 J.  4, 3, 2, 1

2.   The best answer is H.  The best approach to this type of question is to determine which sentence should come first. The first sentence of a paragraph usually introduces the topic of the paragraph. In this case, the sentence that provides us with information about the topic of the paragraph is sentence [2]. Therefore, the first sentence in the logical sequence of this paragraph is sentence [2]. Because the only answer choice that places sentence [2] in the first position is answer choice H, that must be the correct choice. By positioning one sentence at a time you will be able to eliminate answer choices until only the correct one remains.

Style: The author’s presentation of the written word, usually either formal or informal.

Good writing involves effective word choice as well as clear and unambiguous expression. The ACT English Test requires you to recognize and eliminate redundant material, understand the tone of the passage, and make sure that the ideas are expressed clearly and succinctly. The following Style questions focus on these issues:

While Image to be a simple game, checkers is actually quite complicated. Mathematically there are about 500 quintillion possible ways to win the game. Despite this, checkers continues to be mostly a fun game for those who play it, even at the competitive level. Image Some of the classic moves used in competitions have names like the Goose Walk, Duffer’s Delight, and the Boomerang. With names like these, it seems Image has its own sense of humor.

3.   A.  NO CHANGE

B.  appearing

C.  appearing that

D.  appearances show it

4.   F.  NO CHANGE

G.  First played in the twelfth century was checkers.

H.  Checkers was originally from the twelfth century.

 J.  OMIT the underlined portion.

5.   A.  NO CHANGE

B.  crucial that a serious game

C.  that such a serious game

D.  in all seriousness, a game

3.   The best answer is B.  By replacing the underlined portion with each answer choice you can see that the best way to express this idea is simply with the word appearing, answer choice B. Remember to trust the way that things “sound,” and go for the shortest, most simple way to say something.

4.   The best answer is J.  Although the sentence as it is used is grammatically correct, it does not fit the context of the paragraph. In other words, it is irrelevant information and should be omitted; answer choice J is correct.

5.   The best answer is A.  This question asks you to look at the choice and function of the words in the sentence. The tone of the paragraph is informational, yet informal. A word like crucial does not fit the context; therefore, answer choice B should be eliminated. Answer choices C and D do not really fit the context of the paragraph either. The sentence as it is written fits best within the style and tone of the passage, so answer choice A is correct.

Image   ACT ENGLISH SKILLS EXERCISES

The next few pages contain exercises designed to help you apply the concepts generally tested on the ACT English Test and the ACT Writing Test. The general rules of grammar and punctuation are covered in Appendix 2. Be sure to review this information if you struggle with the ACT English skills exercises presented here.

Following this exercise section are simulated ACT English questions, which will allow you to become familiar with the format and types of questions you will see on your actual ACT test.

Using Commas

In the sentences below, add commas where needed.

1.   Seagulls sand crabs and starfish are just a few of the species that you might see while vacationing in New Smyrna Beach Florida.

2.   “Traci studied piano for three or four years” Andrew said.

3.   Ashley Smith a well-known defense attorney retired yesterday.

4.   Todd enjoys singing in the shower but when asked to sing in public he always declines.

5.   Hey what are you doing?

6.   “Well” Justin said “Carmen has written a very good paper.”

7.   The new roller coaster ride in my opinion wasn’t very exciting.

8.   After nearly ten years of hard work Rana finally landed her dream job.

9.   My mother a fiery woman can be heard yelling at the neighbor boys from nearly a mile away.

10.   I thoroughly enjoyed the show and I would encourage anyone to see it.

Using Apostrophes

In the sentences below, underline the correct word in the choices given in parentheses.

1.   Though the choice is not (theirs, their’s), (their, they’re) not afraid to move to a new town.

2.   (Whose, Who’s) likely to become the football (teams’, team’s) captain this year?

3.   My (mother and father’s, mother’s and father’s) favorite vacation spot is Gulf Shores, Alabama.

4.   I know what (your, you’re) intentions are, Alex, and (your, you’re) not going to get away with this.

5.   (It’s, Its, Its’) a shame that (it’s, its, its’) once smooth and brilliant surface is now rough and dull.

6.   I think the jackets are (theirs, their’s).

7.   Although change can be difficult, (it’s, its, its’) often more harmful than helpful to limit new experiences.

8.   It was only a matter of minutes before the (girl’s, girls’) dog had trampled their clothes.

9.   I am unsure if this baking pan is (ours, our’s) or (yours, your’s).

10.   Do you know (who’s, whose) jacket this is?

Using Colons and Semicolons

In the sentences below, insert colons or semicolons as needed.

1.   For the holidays, I am making soft, chewy cookies sweet, decadent chocolates and miniature yellow cupcakes.

2.   Molly is always complaining about how cold her car is in the morning maybe she should purchase an electric car starter.

3.   I had everything I needed for a full night of studying coffee, chips, cookies, earphones, and my book bag.

4.   Jacob is graduating today he is excited.

5.   Time Travel What’s it all About?

In the sentences below, decide whether a colon or a semicolon is needed. Circle the correct choice.

6.   We began the long trip to California on Monday (: ;) after six fast food meals and two hotel rooms, we finally reached Los Angeles.

7.   My stubborn parents have left us no choice (; :) we’re going to elope!

8.   Today we’re going to the beach (: ;) tomorrow we’re going to the zoo.

9.   Cake flour is best for baking foods such as cakes and cookies (: ;) its low gluten content makes for soft and light products.

10.   I have everything I need for a day of snow-filled fun (: ;) hat, gloves, scarf, snow pants, jacket, boots, shovel, and sled.

Using Parentheses and Dashes

In the following sentences, the parentheses and dashes may or may not be in their correct locations. If a sentence is correct and, therefore, needs no change, circle “CORRECT.” If a sentence is incorrect, rewrite the sentence with the parentheses and/or dashes in their correct locations. Remember, it’s only necessary to change the location of the parentheses or dashes, not the punctuation itself (i.e., DO NOT replace the parentheses with dashes, or the dashes with parentheses).

1.   Not only did Andy earn the Most Valuable Player Award as a Junior and Senior (quite an achievement), but he was also nominated as “Most Likely to Succeed.” CORRECT

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2.   The car almost two decades old made strange noises—as it drove—down the road. CORRECT

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3.   We went to (Lansing) the state capital to learn about Michigan’s history. CORRECT

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4.   Mrs. Thornton—a most gentle woman—always bandaged our cuts and scrapes. CORRECT

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5.   The middle school students were suspended on Tuesday the first day of the marking period (for cheating on a science test). CORRECT

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Subject/Verb Agreement

In the sentences below, underline the verb in parentheses that maintains proper subject and verb agreement.

1.   While Jenny wants many expensive things, she (are saving, is saving) her graduation money to pay for college.

2.   Every day, Mark (finds, have found) strange things in his desk.

3.   Each of the Girl Scouts (has, have) a collection of patches representing different services.

4.   Rock climbing, like most extreme sports, (are, is) not without risk.

5.   As of this coming Tuesday, Emily (have worked, will have worked) at the ice cream shop for six years.

6.   Neither of the boys (has, have) any pets.

7.   From what I understand, people can (win, wins) only by completely eliminating their opponents.

8.   The author’s poems (use, uses) a plethora of similes, metaphors, and personification.

9.   When it comes to choosing a mayor, the public (play, plays) a key role.

10.   Congress (is, are) in emergency session this week.

Nouns and Pronouns

In the sentences below, underline the word or phrase in the parentheses that best completes the sentence.

1.   Jordan responds to a snow day much like any other young boy; (he, they) jumps up and down with excitement.

2.   If a student wants to succeed in college, (you, he or she) must be willing to study for several hours each day.

3.   I rarely eat at that restaurant, because (it, they) (has, have) poor service.

4.   The book was on the table, but now (it, the book) is gone.

5.   Leonardo da Vinci was an artist (that, who) created great art.

6.   It was Rachel (who, whom) offered the young child a coat.

7.   Everyone must at least try (his or her, their) hand at knitting.

8.   Neither Nathan nor Jacob will be giving (his, their) speech today.

9.   After much deliberation, Danielle told Helen that she would have to expose (her, Helen’s) cheating problem.

10.   It’s best to take the furniture out of the living room in order to clean (it, the furniture).

Run-on Sentences

In the space provided, rewrite each run-on sentence below as one or more complete sentences.

1.   In just two days, my family is leaving for Florida the worst part is that they’re not taking me I’ll be alone while they’re soaking up the sun and playing in the sand this isn’t fair.

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2.   High school was a busy time of life for me there was school, sports, student council, and friends although I was very busy, I was also quite happy.

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3.   Some people hate the winter I, on the other hand, really enjoy winter there’s nothing better than playing in the snow on a crisp, cold day, and then coming inside to a warm fire and have a hot cup of chocolate.

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4.   I think the hardest part about being a college student is figuring out what you want to do for the rest of your life not only do you have to settle on a career path, but you also have to figure out how to pursue your chosen career and where to live once you’ve decided which job to accept.

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5.   Learning to drive a vehicle is not as easy as it seems many teenagers have a difficult time driving because it’s both a new and nerve-wracking experience but like all new things, the more you drive, the easier it gets.

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Sentence Fragments

In the space provided, rewrite the fragments below, using them to form complete sentences.

1.   I have a hard time meeting new people. Because I am shy.

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2.   I am involved in many extracurricular activities. Including basketball, student council, and drama club.

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3.   Some people are very good at art. As Hillary is, for example.

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4.   I’m not sure if she understood my frustration. Because instead of trying to help, she just laughed at me!

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5.   Make sure you have everything you need in your backpack for school. Books, pencils, paper, a calculator, and your lunch.

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Misplaced Modifiers

In each of the sentence pairs below, one sentence uses a modifier correctly, while the other sentence uses a modifier incorrectly. Locate the correct sentence, and place a “C” in the space provided.

1.   _____ She was knitting a scarf for her friend that was warm.

_____ She was knitting a warm scarf for her friend.

2.   _____ At school, Catherine invited me to her birthday party.

_____ Catherine invited me to her birthday party at school.

3.   _____ The Smallville police reported one stolen car.

_____ One car was reported to the Smallville police that was stolen.

The sentences below include misplaced modifiers. Rewrite the sentences so that the modifier is in the correct place.

4.   The teacher compiled material into a review sheet for the students covered in class.

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5.   The lunch staff served hot dogs to the students on food trays.

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6.   We returned the tool to the hardware store that stopped working.

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Parallelism

In each of the sentence pairs below, one sentence has parallelism while the other sentence includes faulty parallelism. Locate the correct sentence in each pair, and place a “C” in the space provided.

1.   _____ Nina is intelligent, motivated, and she is hardworking.

_____ Nina is intelligent, motivated, and hardworking.

2.   _____ She had three life goals: to skydive, to bungee jump, and to scuba dive.

_____ She had three life goals: to skydive, to go bungee jumping, and a scuba diver.

3.   _____ Coach Smith rewarded her team for working hard and going the distance during practice.

_____ Coach Smith rewarded her team for their hard work and for going the distance during practice.

The sentences below include faulty parallelism. Rewrite them to correct the faulty parallelism.

4.   During the summer, I enjoy biking, rollerblading, and to swim laps in the pool.

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5.   In recent years, more tourists visited museums in Italy than France.

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6.   My five-year-old brother loves to draw circles and squares, as well as trace triangles and stars.

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Redundancy

The sentences below may or may not contain problems of redundancy. Place a “C” next to the sentence that expresses the idea most clearly and concisely and does NOT include redundancy.

1.   _____ The accident happened last year, having occurred on a cold and stormy night.

_____ The accident happened last year and occurred on a cold and stormy night.

_____ The accident happened last year on a cold and stormy night.

_____ The accident happened last year, having occurred, on a cold and stormy night.

2.   _____ I think maybe I might go with friends to the movie theater.

_____ I might go with friends to the movie theater.

_____ Maybe I might go with friends to the movie theater.

_____ I think, maybe, I might go with friends to the movie theater.

3.   _____ In a few months, after waiting a while, I will move out of my parents’ house and get my own place, in due course.

_____ In a few months, after waiting a while, I will move out of my parents’ house.

_____ In a few months, I will move out of my parents’ house and get my own place.

_____ After waiting a while, I will move out of my parents’ house and get my own place, in due time after a few months.

4.   _____ Alexander Graham Bell is widely recognized for his inventing and creation of the telephone.

_____ Alexander Graham Bell is widely recognized for his invention, which was the creation of the telephone.

_____ Alexander Graham Bell is widely recognized for his invention, that is, the creation of the telephone.

_____ Alexander Graham Bell is widely recognized for inventing the telephone.

5.   _____ One day, while playing in the woods, my cousin happened upon an old, abandoned house.

_____ One day, while playing in the woods, my cousin accidentally stumbled up against an old, abandoned house.

_____ One day, while playing in the woods, my cousin unintentionally without planning discovered an old, abandoned house.

_____ One day, while playing in the woods, my cousin unintentionally happened upon an old, abandoned house.

Wordiness/Awkward Sentence Construction

The sentences below may have a problem with wordiness or awkward construction. Place a “C” next to the sentence that expresses the idea most clearly and concisely and is NOT wordy.

1.   _____ It is unfortunate that the plan did not succeed in accomplishing its objective.

_____ It is unfortunate that the plan did not accomplish its objective.

_____ Unfortunately, the plan did not succeed in its objective.

_____ Unfortunately, the plan failed.

2.   _____ The achievement, his gold medal in the 2000 Olympic Games, is the one for which he is most widely remembered.

_____ The achievement for which he is most widely remembered is his gold medal in the 2000 Olympic Games.

_____ His 2000 Olympic Games gold medal achievement is his most popular point of remembrance.

_____ He will be remembered for his achievement most widely of winning a gold medal in the 2000 Olympic Games.

3.   _____ While my brother may try to argue otherwise, he and my dad are equally strong.

_____ My dad and brother, though they may argue, considering their weight, are equal in strength.

_____ While my brother may argue otherwise, he and my dad are the same when strength is considered.

_____ While my brother may argue otherwise, he and my dad are equally dominant in terms of strength.

4.   _____ My brother has attained the age of eighteen years.

_____ My brother attained the age of eighteen years.

_____ My brother has reached eighteen years of age.

_____ My brother is eighteen years old.

5.   _____ Through their training, nurses see patients’ needs.

_____ When patients need things, nurses are training to notice it.

_____ Nurses are trained in order to recognize a lack of something by patients.

_____ Nurses are trained to recognize patients’ needs.

Image   ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS

The answers and explanations indicate correct grammar use and the best way to express an idea. You might come up with slightly different corrections for some of the exercises, which is fine as long as the rules of grammar are being followed.

Using Commas

1.   Seagulls, sand crabs, and starfish are just a few of the species that you might see while vacationing in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

Explanation: Commas are needed when separating three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series. A comma is also needed to set off geographical names.

2.   “Traci studied piano for three or four years,” Andrew said.

Explanation: A comma is needed to separate a quote from the rest of the sentence.

3.   Ashley Smith, a well-known defense attorney, retired yesterday.

Explanation: Commas are needed to set off an appositive from the rest of the sentence.

4.   Todd enjoys singing in the shower, but when asked to sing in public, he always declines.

Explanation: First, a comma is needed when connecting two independent clauses with a conjunction. Second, a comma is needed to separate introductory material (when asked to sing in public) from its main clause (he always declines).

5.   Hey, what are you doing?

Explanation: A comma is needed to set off interjections from the rest of the sentence.

6.   “Well,” Justin said, “Carmen has written a very good paper.”

Explanation: Commas are needed to separate a quote from the rest of the sentence.

7.   The new roller coaster ride, in my opinion, wasn’t very exciting.

Explanation: Commas are needed to set off parenthetical expressions from the rest of the sentence.

8.   After nearly ten years of hard work, Rana finally landed her dream job.

Explanation: A comma is needed to set off introductory words and phrases from the rest of the sentence.

9.   My mother, a fiery woman, can be heard yelling at the neighbor boys from nearly a mile away.

Explanation: Commas are needed to set off an appositive from the rest of the sentence.

10.   I thoroughly enjoyed the show, and I would encourage anyone to see it.

Explanation: A comma is needed when connecting two independent clauses with a conjunction.

Using Apostrophes

1.   Though the choice is not (theirs, their’s), (their, they’re) not afraid to move to a new town.

Explanation: The possessive pronoun “theirs” is needed in the first blank and the conjunction “they’re” is needed in the second blank. The word their’s does not exist, and their is the possessive determiner, not a subject/verb contraction.

2.   (Whose, Who’s) likely to become the football (teams’, team’s) captain this year?

Explanation: The contraction of “who is” is needed in the first blank in order to fill the subject and verb positions. The singular possessive form “team’s” is correct. (There is only one captain, so only one team.) The form “teams’” is the plural possessive.

3.   My (mother and father’s, mother’s and father’s) favorite vacation spot is Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Explanation: Because “mother and father” share the favorite vacation spot, the ownership is given to the last person listed, which is “father.”

4.   I know what (your, you’re) intentions are, Alex, and (your, you’re) not going to get away with this.

Explanation: Possession is shown with “your” in the first blank. The conjunction of “you are” is needed in the second blank, making “you’re” the best choice.

5.   (It’s, Its, Its’) a shame that (it’s, its, its’) once smooth and brilliant surface is now rough and dull.

Explanation: The contraction of “It is” is needed for the first blank, making “It’s” the best choice. Possession is needed in the second blank, so “its” is the best choice. The word its’ does not exist; however, nearly every ACT we have seen uses it as an answer choice at least once. It is never correct.

6.   I think the jackets are (theirs, their’s).

Explanation: Possession is shown with “theirs.” The word “their’s” does not exist.

7.   Although change can be difficult, (it’s, its, its’) often more harmful than helpful to limit new experiences.

Explanation: The contraction of “it is” is needed, so “it’s” is the best choice.

8.   It was only a matter of minutes before the (girl’s, girls’) dog had trampled their clothes.

Explanation: Because the third-person, plural possessive determiner their is used later in the sentence, the possessive form of the plural noun “girls” is needed, making “girls’” the best choice.

9.   I am unsure if this baking pan is (ours, our’s) or (yours, your’s).

Explanation: The possessive pronouns ours and yours are needed. The words our’s and your’s do not exist.

10.   Do you know (who’s, whose) jacket this is?

Explanation: Possession is indicated with whose, making it the best choice. The contraction who’s is formed of the subject or relative pronoun who and the verb is.

Using Colons and Semicolons

1.   For the holidays, I am making soft, chewy cookies; sweet, scrumptious chocolates; and miniature yellow cupcakes.

Explanation: Use semicolons to separate items containing commas in a list.

2.   Molly is always complaining about how cold her car is in the morning; maybe she should purchase an electric car starter.

Explanation: Use a semicolon to join two related independent clauses.

3.   I had everything I needed for a full night of studying: coffee, chips, cookies, earphones, and my book bag.

Explanation: Use a colon to introduce a list.

4.   Jacob is graduating today; he is excited.

Explanation: Use a semicolon to join two related, independent clauses.

5.   Time Travel: What’s it all About?

Explanation: Use a colon to join related clauses when one clause is dependent on, and helps to explain, the other.

6.   We began the long trip to California on Monday; after six fast food meals and two hotel rooms, we finally reached Los Angeles.

Explanation: Use a semicolon to join two related, independent clauses.

7.   My stubborn parents have left us no choice; we’re going to elope!

Explanation: Use a semicolon to join two related independent clauses.

8.   Today we’re going to the beach; tomorrow we’re going to the zoo.

Explanation: Use a semicolon to join two related, independent clauses.

9.   Cake flour is best for baking foods such as cakes and cookies; its low gluten content makes for soft and light products.

Explanation: Use a semicolon to join two related, independent clauses.

10.   I have everything I need for a day of snow-filled fun: hat, gloves, scarf, snow pants, jacket, boots, shovel, and sled.

Explanation: Use a colon to introduce a list.

Using Parentheses and Dashes

1.   CORRECT

Explanation: Parentheses are used to set off material secondary to the meaning of the text as a whole. In this case, “quite an achievement” is not essential to the meaning of the text, making the original sentence correct.

2.   The car—almost two decades old—made strange noises as it drove down the street.

Explanation: Dashes are used to give special emphasis to certain phrases or clauses. Here, the writer is emphasizing the significantly old age of the car.

3.   We went to Lansing (the state capital) to learn about Michigan’s history.

Explanation: Parentheses are used to set apart information that is secondary or not essential to the meaning of the sentence. Here, the fact that Lansing is the capital of Michigan is secondary information. Many readers would know this fact already.

4.   CORRECT

Explanation: Dashes are used to give special emphasis to certain phrases or clauses. Here, the writer is emphasizing the appositive a most gentle woman by using dashes instead of commas.

5.   The middle school students were suspended on Tuesday (the first day of the marking period) for cheating on a science test.

Explanation: Parentheses are used to set apart information that is secondary or not essential to the meaning of the sentence. Here, the fact that the particular Tuesday was the first day of the marking period is a secondary detail. The reason that the students were suspended (for cheating on a science test) is important information that should not be enclosed in parentheses.

Subject/Verb Agreement

1.   While Jenny wants many expensive things, she is saving her graduation money to pay for college.

Explanation: Jenny is a singular subject, so the auxiliary verb (a form of be in the progressive tenses) must also be singular: is.

2.   Every day, Mark finds strange things in his desk.

Explanation: Mark is a third person, singular subject, so the verb must also be third person, singular: finds.

3.   Each of the Girl Scouts (has) a collection of patches representing different services.

Explanation: “Each of the Girl Scouts” refers to each individual Girl Scout, which makes the subject singular. Therefore, the verb must also be singular, which makes “has” the best choice.

4.   Rock climbing, like most extreme sports, is not without risk.

Explanation: Rock climbing is a singular subject, so the verb must also be singular: is. Be careful not to be distracted by nouns (as the plural sports is here) that come between subject and verb, and which have different grammatical number.

5.   As of this coming Tuesday, Emily will have worked at the ice cream shop for six years.

Explanation: This sentence refers to an action that began in the past and is ongoing relative to a time in the future (this coming Tuesday). Therefore, the future perfect tense is appropriate.

6.   Neither of the boys has any pets.

Explanation: The indefinite pronoun neither is singular; therefore, the singular verb form has is appropriate.

7.   From what I understand, people can win only by completely eliminating their opponents.

Explanation: The verb can must be followed by the bare form of a verb.

8.   The author’s poems use a plethora of similes, metaphors, and personification.

Explanation: “Poems” is the plural subject, so the verb must also be plural, which makes “use” the correct choice.

9.   When it comes to choosing a mayor, the public plays a key role.

Explanation: “The public” is the singular subject, so the verb must also be singular, which makes “plays” the correct choice.

10.   Congress is in emergency session this week.

Explanation: In American English, and therefore for the purposes of the ACT, nouns are considered singular or plural based on their morphology (how they appear, for example, with an s at the end). In other forms of English, nouns are considered singular or plural based on semantics, that is, whether they describe a single unit or a cumulative body of countable things. This means that for the ACT, Congress is singular. Therefore, the singular verb form is is correct. Outside the United States, in some English-speaking countries, Congress (just like, for example, parliament, Team Canada, the rock band) would be considered plural because it implies a group of people.

Nouns and Pronouns

1.   He—“Jordan” is the singular antecedent.

2.   He or she—The subject of the first clause, a student, is the antecedent of the subject pronoun(s) of the next clause. A student is third person; therefore, the second person pronoun you cannot be used.

3.   It has—the “restaurant” is a singular antecedent.

4.   The book—in order to avoid ambiguity between “the book” and “the table,” restate the appropriate antecedent.

5.   Who—use the relative pronoun “who” when referring to a person.

6.   Who—The relative pronoun is in subject position: Rachel offered the young child a coat. Therefore, who is correct. The relative pronoun whom is used in object position.

7.   His or her—the indefinite pronoun “everyone” is singular.

8.   His—Nouns conjoined with or or nor take singular verbs and are represented by singular pronouns.

9.   Helen’s—in order to avoid ambiguity, restate the appropriate antecedent.

10.   The furniture—in order to avoid ambiguity between whether the living room or the furniture’s cleaning is discussed, use an expressed noun phrase instead of a pronoun.

Run-on Sentences

Following are examples of corrections to the run-on sentences in this section. You might have come up with other corrections. Refer to the part of this book that discusses run-on sentences if you need assistance.

1.   In just two days, my family is leaving for Florida. The worst part is that they’re not taking me! I’ll be alone while they’re soaking up the sun and playing in the sand. This isn’t fair.

2.   High school was a busy time of life for me. There was school, sports, student council, and friends. Although I was very busy, I was also quite happy.

3.   Some people hate the winter. I, on the other hand, really enjoy winter; there’s nothing better than playing in the snow on a crisp, cold day, and then coming inside to a warm fire and a cup of hot chocolate.

4.   I think the hardest part of being a college student is figuring out what you want to do for the rest of your life. Not only do you have to settle on a career path, but you also have to figure out how to pursue your chosen career and where to live once you’ve decided on a job.

5.   Learning to drive a vehicle is not as easy as it seems. Many teenagers have a difficult time driving because it’s both a new and nerve-wracking experience. But, like all new things, the more you drive, the easier it gets.

Sentence Fragments

Following are examples of corrections to the sentence fragments in this section.

1.   I have a hard time meeting new people because I am shy.

Explanation: The phrase “because I am shy” is a dependent clause and cannot stand alone.

2.   I am involved in many extracurricular activities, including basketball, student council, and drama club.

Explanation: The phrase “including basketball, student council, and drama club” is not a clause and cannot stand alone.

3.   Some people are very good at art, as Hillary is, for example.

Explanation: The phrase “as Hillary is” is a dependent clause that cannot stand alone.

4.   I’m not sure if she understood my frustration, because instead of trying to help, she just laughed at me!

Explanation: “Because” should link the first sentence with the second dependent clause using a comma. Use a semicolon to join two related independent clauses.

5.   Make sure you have everything you need for school in your backpack: books, pencils, paper, a calculator, and your lunch.

Explanation: Use a colon to introduce a list.

Misplaced Modifiers

Following are examples of corrections to the misplaced modifiers in this section. The key is to place the modifier next to the word or phrase that it is intended to modify.

1.   The correct sentence is, “She was knitting a warm scarf for her friend.”

2.   The correct sentence is, “At school, Catherine invited me to her birthday party.”

3.   The correct sentence is, “The Smallville police reported one stolen car.”

4.   The correct sentence is, “The teacher compiled material covered in class into a review sheet for the students.”

5.   The correct sentence is, “The lunch staff served hot dogs on food trays to the students.”

6.   The correct sentence is, “We returned the tool that stopped working to the hardware store.”

Parallelism

Following are examples of corrections to the sentences including faulty parallelism in this section.

1.   The correct sentence is, “Nina is intelligent, motivated, and hardworking.”

Explanation: The adjectives “intelligent, motivated, and hardworking” all clearly and correctly modify “Nina.”

2.   The correct sentence is, “She had three life goals: to skydive, to bungee jump, and to scuba dive.”

Explanation: All three of the goals are in the bare form of the verb.

3.   The correct sentence is, “Coach Smith rewarded her team for working hard and going the distance during practice.”

Explanation: The verbs “working” and “going” have the same (gerund) form.

4.   The correct sentence is, “During the summer, I enjoy biking, rollerblading, and swimming laps in the pool.”

Explanation: The verbs (biking, rollerblading, swimming) must all have the same form in order to maintain parallelism.

5.   The correct sentence is, “In recent years, more tourists visited museums in Italy than in France.”

Explanation: The sentence means that more people visited museums in Italy than museums in France. Therefore, France cannot stand alone in the sentence, and it should be replaced by museums in France or simply in France.

6.   The correct sentence is, “My five-year-old brother loves to draw circles and squares, as well as trace triangles and stars.” OR “My five-year-old brother loves drawing circles and squares, as well as tracing triangles and stars.”

Explanation: Verbs should have parallel form when used in series. Here, either the infinitive forms (omitting the to the second time) or the gerund forms are appropriate.

Redundancy

Following are the sentences that are NOT redundant.

1.   The accident happened last year on a cold and stormy night.

2.   I might go with friends to the movie theater.

3.   In a few months, I will move out of my parents’ house and get my own place.

4.   Alexander Graham Bell is widely recognized for inventing the telephone.

5.   One day, while playing in the woods, my cousin happened upon an old, abandoned house.

Wordiness/Awkward Sentence Construction

Following are the sentences that are NOT wordy or awkward.

1.   Unfortunately, the plan failed.

2.   The achievement for which he is most widely remembered is his gold medal in the 2000 Olympic Games.

3.   While my brother may try to argue otherwise, he and my dad are equally strong.

4.   My brother is eighteen years old.

5.   Nurses are trained to recognize patients’ needs.

Image   PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Following are simulated ACT English passages and questions, along with explanations for all of the questions. Carefully read the directions, apply the information from this chapter, and attempt all of the questions.

DIRECTIONS: In the passages that follow, some words and phrases are underlined and numbered. In the answer column, you will find alternatives for the words and phrases that are underlined. Choose the alternative that you think is best and circle it. If you think that the original version is best, choose “NO CHANGE,” which will always be either answer choice A or F. You will also find questions about a particular section of the passage or about the entire passage. These questions will be identified by a number or numbers in a box. Read the passage through once before answering the questions. An Answer Key and Detailed Explanations are included at the end of this section.


PASSAGE I

Scientific Solutions

Humans can be a remarkably optimistic—and often ingenuous—group. Each new scientific discovery has the ability to inspire hopes (and rumors) that the breakthrough will be the solution to some of society’s woes. One discovery may give rise to expectations of ending cancer or world Image may prove to be a veritable fountain of youth. A classic example is the story Image what happened following the discovery of radioactivity.

1.   Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion would NOT be acceptable?

A.  hunger. Another

B.  hunger, and another

C.  hunger. Because another

D.  hunger; another

2.   F.  NO CHANGE

G.  of

H.  with

 J.  to

About a century ago, the husband and wife team of Marie and Pierre Curie discovered the power of radioactivity. Over the course of the next several years, other scientists sought to harness this power to benefit society. Soon, the radioactive elements radium and uranium Image being used to treat cancer and generate electricity, respectively. People were anxious to see what other remarkable capabilities these radioactive elements might possess, and were especially Image to see how the discovery might benefit them personally. When traditional science failed to meet this immediate desire, shrewd entrepreneurs readily filled the void.

3.   A.  NO CHANGE

B.  are

C.  was

D.  is

4.   F.  NO CHANGE

G.  apprehensive

H.  unwilling

 J.  apparent

For example, during the Image several businesses began selling “radium water,” claiming that the product had various curative powers. Some of these businesses were eventually revealed as Image they falsely claimed their products contained radium. The money wasted by the patrons of these businesses was nothing compared to the suffering experienced by consumers of Image that actually contained radium. This Image insidious in its results, was purported to help cure Image gout, syphilis, anemia, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and sexual impotence. One advertisement went so far as to claim that insanity and mental retardation could be cured, stating: “Science to Cure All the Living Dead … the new plan to close up the insane asylums and wipe out illiteracy.”

5.   A.  NO CHANGE

B.  1920s, when flappers and raccoon coats were both popular,

C.  1920s (an era of flappers and raccoon coats),

D.  1920s,

6.   F.  NO CHANGE

G.  frauds,

H.  frauds, so

 J.  frauds because

7.   A.  NO CHANGE

B.  Radithor a drinkable solution,

C.  Radithor, a drinkable solution

D.  Radithor, a drinkable, solution

8.   F.  NO CHANGE

G.  product, which was

H.  product that was being

 J.  product, which being

9.   A.  NO CHANGE

B.  symptoms of rheumatism,

C.  symptoms of; rheumatism

D.  symptoms of rheumatism:

Over 400,000 bottles of Radithor were produced before the Image dangers of the radium water became apparent. One of the biggest fans of Radithor was a millionaire playboy named Eben M. Byers. Purchasing the product by the case, Byers consumed over 1,000 bottles of the solution between 1928 and 1930. Image Byers’ teeth began to fall out, Image the bones of his jaws began to deteriorate. As Byers became increasingly ill, Image While Byers lay dying in the hospital, even his breath was found to be radioactive. At the time of Byers’ death, radiation poisoning was a relatively new phenomenon, primarily seen among makers of radium-dial watches who Image paint brushes to exact a fine tip. Nevertheless, Byers’ highly publicized death swiftly led to the Image the use and sale of radium and other radioactive elements.

10.   F.  NO CHANGE

G.  perilous

H.  risky

 J.  DELETE the underlined portion.

11.   A.  NO CHANGE

B.  However,

C.  Still,

D.  Similarly,

12.   F.  NO CHANGE

G.  that

H.  and

 J.  DELETE the underlined portion.

13.   The writer would like to indicate that at this point, Byers became aware of the cause of his illness. Given that all the choices are true, which one best accomplishes the writer’s goal?

A.  NO CHANGE

B.  the doctors struggled to cure him.

C.  he realized his penchant for Radithor would likely kill him.

D.  his faith in his physicians continued to falter.

14.   F.  NO CHANGE

G.  had licked his

H.  licked their

 J.  licks his

15.   A.  NO CHANGE

B.  regulation of

C.  regulatory laws of

D.  legal regulation and laws relating to


PASSAGE II

Where’s the “Play” When Children Play Sports?

According to health experts, over the past thirty years the childhood obesity rate in the United States has more than tripled for Image aged six to eleven, and has doubled for younger children and adolescents. Approximately nine million children over the age of six are currently considered obese. One of the primary causes of the epidemic is Image young children participate in organized sports than in the leaner days of decades past.

16.   F.  NO CHANGE

G.  them

H.  children

 J.  DELETE the underlined portion.

17.   A.  NO CHANGE

B.  inactivity even though, more

C.  inactivity, even though more

D.  inactivity; even though, more

This apparent paradox has two possible explanations. The first is that without participating in organized sports, today’s children would be even more overweight. With families eating more high-fat, less nutritious convenience foods, Image

18.   F.  NO CHANGE

G.  this is most certainly a distinct possibility.

H.  this is a possibility.

 J.  possibly, this could happen.

Another possible explanation is that organized sports inadvertently discourage children from spontaneous physical activity, or “free play.” Thirty years ago, most Image first experience with organized games was in school gym classes. By school age, children had already participated in neighborhood “pick-up” games where the focus was on fun. Image catch for hours, ran until they were breathless, and developed strategies for how to win “kick the can.” They groaned with disappointment when the streetlights came on, indicating that it was time to run home for dinner. It never occurred to the children that they were acquiring Image were just playing.

19.   A.  NO CHANGE

B.  children’s

C.  childrens

D.  children

20.   F.  NO CHANGE

G.  Playing

H.  They’re going to play

 J.  They played

21.   Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion would NOT be acceptable?

A.  skills; they

B.  skills they

C.  skills, for they

D.  skills, as they

By the time they were old enough to participate in organized sports, these children had learned the most critical skills from their peers. They knew how to run, throw, catch, and hit a ball. They Image learned that playing fair, being a team player, and displaying good sportsmanship were critical if they wanted to be invited to play again. Being allowed to play on a team was a privilege for adolescents, not a drudgery they had to endure. Image

22.   F.  NO CHANGE

G.  also

H.  instead

 J.  conversely

23.   The writer is considering deleting the phrase “not a drudgery they had to endure” from the preceding sentence. Should the phrase be kept or deleted?

A.  Kept, because it emphasizes the positive attitude children had toward “free play” thirty years ago.

B.  Kept, because it is relevant to the essay’s focus on the importance of sportsmanship.

C.  Deleted, because the essay proves that “free play” was not considered a privilege thirty years ago.

D.  Deleted, because this level of detail is not consistent with the essay’s description of “free play.”

The professionals who study the recent phenomenon of obese children in the United States offer additional support for the value of “free play.” Image many doctors and psychologists today are concerned that the complex rules in organized sports may confuse a young child, and a child’s bones and muscles may not be ready for what a sport demands. Image a final irony, one of the reasons families are consuming so much fattening processed food is a result of rushing Image young children from one Image to another.

24.   F.  NO CHANGE

G.  However

H.  In fact

 J.  Alternatively

25.   A.  NO CHANGE

B.  If

C.  Whether

D.  To

26.   F.  NO CHANGE

G.  they’re

H.  there

 J.  this

27.   A.  NO CHANGE

B.  practices and/or games of one type of organized sport

C.  organized sport

D.  sport (the organized type)

Image Should they refuse to allow their six-year-olds to learn soccer because they aren’t old enough? No. What parents can do is look for children’s sports programs that focus on fun rather than winning. Programs for young children should be one third instruction and two thirds free play. Rather than running from one planned activity to another, parents should devote part of each weekend to “family play,” participating in activities the whole family can Image cross-country skiing. When possible, they should invite a few other families to join in the fun and play an unorganized game of kickball at the local park.

28.   If the writer were to delete the question and answer at the beginning of the final paragraph, the paragraph would primarily lose:

F.  details about the health implications of childhood obesity.

G.  an explanation of why children become obese.

H.  a tone of nostalgia for times passed.

 J.  clarification of the risks twenty-first century parents should reasonably take.

29.   A.  NO CHANGE

B.  enjoy such as hiking swimming or

C.  enjoy; such as hiking, swimming or

D.  enjoy: such as hiking swimming, or

Question 30 asks about the preceding passage as a whole.

30.   Suppose the writer had intended to write an essay about children’s health worldwide. Would this essay accomplish the writer’s goal, and why?

F.  Yes, because it discusses the national epidemic of childhood obesity and encourages parents to sign up their children for organized sports.

G.  Yes, because it discusses the impact of sports on children’s health.

H.  No, because it discusses only two possible explanations for childhood obesity in the United States only.

 J.  No, because it does not discuss the impact of convenience foods on obesity.

Image   ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS

PASSAGE I

1.   The best answer is C.  You must be careful not to select answer choices that create incomplete sentences. Because another is anticipated to be a veritable fountain of youth is an incomplete sentence, so answer choice C is NOT acceptable.

2.   The best answer is G.  The word of is the correct preposition to use with story in this sentence. The other answer choices do not make sense in the context of the sentence.

3.   The best answer is A.  The plural subject elements requires the plural verb were. Because the action took place in the past, it is appropriate to use the simple past tense.

4.   The best answer is F.  Based on the context of the passage, people were “anxious” and “optimistic” about the possible uses of radioactive elements. Eager implies this optimism.

5.   The best answer is D.  The phrase an era of flappers and raccoon coats is not relevant to the context of this passage and should be omitted or removed.

6.   The best answer is J.  The conjunction because implies that the rest of the sentence will explain why the businesses were revealed as frauds. Whereas suggests a contradiction, and so implies that the sentence will explain what happened as a result of the businesses being revealed as frauds. Eliminate answer choice H. If you do not use a conjunction at all, as in answer choice G, the sentence does not make sense.

7.   The best answer is C.  The phrase a drinkable solution that actually contained radium is an appositive, which should always be set off by commas. The other answer choices make the sentence awkward and confusing.

8.   The best answer is G.  The clause which was insidious in its results is a nonrestrictive clause that should be set apart from the sentence using commas. The other answer choices make the sentence awkward and confusing.

9.   The best answer is B.  Because the preposition of is used, no colon or other punctuation is needed to introduce the list; only commas are needed to separate the items in the series.

10.   The best answer is J.  The words hazardous, perilous, and risky all have similar meanings. They can’t all be correct, so these choices should be eliminated. Since dangerous implies hazard, peril, and risk, including these words in the sentence would be redundant.

11.   The best answer is A.  The adverb eventually correctly implies the passage of time. This fits with the context of the passage. The other answer choices are not supported by the context of the passage.

12.   The best answer is H.  Independent clauses (especially highly related ones) can be combined using a comma and the conjunction and.

13.   The best answer is C.  The paragraph suggests that Radithor, which contained radium, was the cause of Byers’ illness. Only answer choice C shows that Byers recognized that his over-consumption of Radithor was what made him sick and eventually led to his death.

14.   The best answer is H.  There is more than one radium dial watch maker, so you must use the plural pronoun their. The other answer choices contain the singular pronoun his and should be eliminated.

15.   The best answer is B.  The meaning of law implies regulation; therefore, it would be redundant to use them together as in answer choices A, C, and D.

PASSAGE II

16.   The best answer is H.  Using the word children adds clarity to this sentence. Answer choices F and G should be eliminated because they contain ambiguous pronouns—it is unclear to whom the pronoun them refers. Omitting the underlined portion makes the sentence awkward.

17.   The best answer is C.  It is necessary to separate the two main ideas of this sentence with a comma; no other punctuation is needed.

18.   The best answer is H.  This question tests your ability to select the clearest and most concise answer choice. Answer choice F incorrectly uses the adjective “certain” to modify the verb “possible.” Answer choices G and J are wordy.

19.   The best answer is B.  Since children is a plural noun, it is not correct to add an s’. Therefore, answer choice A should be eliminated. In this sentence, the children “possess” the “first experience”—it is theirs. So, you must use the possessive form of children, which is children’s, answer choice B.

20.   The best answer is J.  You need to maintain parallel verb tense with the sentence. Since the children “ran” and “developed,” both simple past tense, you should use the simple past-tense verb played. By including the word have in answer choice F, the tense becomes present perfect, which is not consistent with the rest of the sentence.

21.   The best answer is B.  It does not make sense that children would practice “skills they were just playing” — you don’t “play” skills. The only selection that would NOT be acceptable is answer choice B, so it is correct.

22.   The best answer is G.  The word also correctly suggests that the children learned about “playing fair, being a team player, and displaying good sportsmanship” at the same time that they were learning “critical skills from their peers.” The other answer choices do not fit the context of the sentence because they are signals of contrast, which is not appropriate here.

23.   The best answer is A.  The preceding paragraph indicates that, thirty years ago, children often participated in “free play” before they became involved in organized sports. In fact, the paragraph indicates that children enjoyed this “free play,” which is likely the primary reason they engaged in such play.

24.   The best answer is H.  This paragraph goes on to provide more information supporting the idea that children should engage in “free play” instead of organized sports. However and alternatively suggest a contrast that doesn’t exist.

25.   The best answer is A.  The adverb as is used here to introduce a sentence, thereby giving the statement emphasis. It is not idiomatic to use if or for in this context, so eliminate answer choices B and D. Whether implies that something may or may not happen, which is not supported by the context, so eliminate answer choice C.

26.   The best answer is F.  The plural possessive determiner their agrees with the plural noun families. They’re is the contraction of they are, and there refers to a location. These words are not appropriate in this sentence, so eliminate answer choices G and H. The demonstrative determiner this is singular and does not agree with the plural noun children, so eliminate answer choice J.

27.   The best answer is C.  The best way to express the idea is with the phrase organized sport. The other answer choices are too wordy or awkward.

28.   The best answer is J.  The opening sentences serve to clarify what the author suggests parents should and should not do to encourage healthy activity in their children. The other answer choices are not supported by the passage and should be eliminated.

29.   The best answer is A.  Commas must be used to separate items in a list. Furthermore, neither a semicolon nor a colon should be used before the phrase such as.

30.   The best answer is H.  The first step in answering this question is to decide if the essay fulfilled the writer’s goal. Since the essay is about children in the United States only, it would not fulfill the goal of writing an essay about children’s health worldwide. Eliminate answer choices F and G. The essay does discuss the impact of convenience foods, answer choice J, so eliminate it.