Act English Exam 1 (In Book)
- 1.
How many adjectives are in the following sentence? The children love to play with the cute, furry kitten.
- A.
0
- B.
1
- C.
2
- D.
3
Correct Answer
C. 2Explanation
C. Cute and furry are adjectives that describe the noun kitten. See Lesson: Adjectives and Adverbs.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Select the correct word to complete the following sentence. Tam performed badly, but I was even ____.
- A.
Worse
- B.
Worst
- C.
Badder
- D.
More bad
Correct Answer
A. WorseExplanation
A. Worse is a comparative form of the adverb badly. See Lesson: Adjectives and Adverbs.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Which word in the following sentence is an adverb? That racecar is incredibly fast!
- A.
That
- B.
Is
- C.
Incredibly
- D.
Fast
Correct Answer
C. IncrediblyExplanation
C. Incredibly is an adverb that describe the adjective fast. See Lesson: Adjectives and AdverbsRate this question:
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- 4.
Which word in the following sentence is an adjective? It was a late flight.
- A.
It
- B.
Was
- C.
Late
- D.
Flight
Correct Answer
C. LateExplanation
C. Late is an adjective that describes the noun flight. See Lesson: Adjectives and Adverbs.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Select the part of speech of the underlined word in the following sentence. He hit the ball so hard that he was sure it was a home run!
- A.
Verb
- B.
Adverb
- C.
Adjective
- D.
Pronoun
Correct Answer
B. AdverbExplanation
B. So is an adverb that describes the adverb hard. (Hard describes the verb hit.)See Lesson: Adjectives and Adverbs.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Which of the following is correct?
- A.
Senate
- B.
Congress
- C.
White House
- D.
Supreme court
Correct Answer
C. White HouseExplanation
C. White House. The White House is capitalized because it is an important governmental building. See Lesson: Capitalization.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Fill in the blank with the correctly capitalized form. In the 2018 Super Bowl, the ______ played against the ______.
- A.
Philadelphia eagles, new england patriots
- B.
Philadelphia eagles, New England patriots
- C.
Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots
- D.
Philadelphia Eagles, new england Patriots
Correct Answer
C. Philadelphia Eagles, New England PatriotsExplanation
C. Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots. Cities, regions, and sports teams are meant to be capitalized. See Lesson: Capitalization.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Choose the correct sentence.
- A.
The Victorian era is marked by strict modesty.
- B.
The Victorian Era is marked by strict modesty.
- C.
The victorian era is marked by strict modesty.
- D.
The victorian era is marked by strict modesty.
Correct Answer
B. The Victorian Era is marked by strict modesty.Explanation
B. The Victorian Era is marked by strict modesty. All specific historical time periods are capitalized. See Lesson: Capitalization.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Which word(s) in the following sentence should be capitalized? My friend’s birthday is december 25. she does not like that her birthday is on christmas.
- A.
Christmas
- B.
December
- C.
December and christmas
- D.
December, she, and christmas
Correct Answer
D. December, she, and christmasExplanation
D. december, she, and christmas. All months and holidays are capitalized. She is the beginning of a sentence and needs to be capitalized. See Lesson: Capitalization.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Identify the subordinating conjunction in the following sentence. Don't leave until we get there.
- A.
Until
- B.
We
- C.
Get
- D.
There
Correct Answer
A. UntilExplanation
A. Until is a subordinating conjunction, connecting the main clause don't leave and the dependent clause we get there. See Lesson: Conjunctions and Prepositions.Rate this question:
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- 11.
What is the object of the underlined preposition? I found our cat under the table by the window next to the TV.
- A.
Our cat
- B.
The table
- C.
The window
- D.
The TV
Correct Answer
B. The tableExplanation
B. The table is the object of the preposition under. See Lesson: Conjunctions and Prepositions.Rate this question:
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- 12.
What part of speech are the underlined words in the following sentence? Twelve students passed the exam, but seven did not, so the teacher is letting them retake it.
- A.
Adjective
- B.
Preposition
- C.
Conjunction
- D.
Adverb
Correct Answer
C. ConjunctionExplanation
C. But and so are coordinating conjunctions. These two conjunctions connect three independent clauses in this sentence. See Lesson: Conjunctions and Prepositions.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Which word is not a preposition?
- A.
It
- B.
At
- C.
For
- D.
In
Correct Answer
A. ItExplanation
A. It is a pronoun, not a preposition. See Lesson: Conjunctions and Prepositions.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Identify the conjunction in the following sentence. I walked home even though my feet really hurt.
- A.
Home
- B.
Even though
- C.
My
- D.
Really hurt
Correct Answer
B. Even thoughExplanation
B. Even though is a subordinating conjunction. It connects the clauses I walked home and my feet really hurt. See Lesson: Conjunctions and Prepositions.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Select the word from the following sentence that has more than one meaning. They need to prune the bushes every year or else they will lose their shape.
- A.
Need
- B.
Prune
- C.
Lose
- D.
Shape
Correct Answer
B. PruneExplanation
B. The word “prune” has more than one meaning. See Lesson: Context Clues and Multiple Meaning Words.Rate this question:
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- 16.
Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence based on the context clues. Sheila has such an exuberant personality; she always has a smile on her face.
- A.
Sincere
- B.
Cheerful
- C.
Appealing
- D.
Interesting
Correct Answer
B. CheerfulExplanation
B. The meaning of exuberant in the context of this sentence is “cheerful.” See Lesson: Context Clues and Multiple Meaning Words.Rate this question:
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- 17.
Select the correct definition of the underlined word having multiple meanings in the sentence. Natalie’s fingers were calloused after practicing her bass.
- A.
Kind of fish
- B.
Low and deep sound
- C.
Lowest male singing voice
- D.
A guitar with four strings that makes low sounds
Correct Answer
D. A guitar with four strings that makes low soundsExplanation
D. The meaning of bass in the context of this sentence is “a guitar with four strings that makes low sounds.” See Lesson: Context Clues and Multiple Meaning Words.Rate this question:
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- 18.
Select the word from the following sentence that has more than one meaning. Javier was overjoyed when he finally finished his application for college.
- A.
Overjoyed
- B.
Finally
- C.
Application
- D.
College
Correct Answer
C. ApplicationExplanation
C. The word “application” has more than one meaning. See Lesson: Context Clues and Multiple Meaning Words.Rate this question:
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- 19.
Select the context clue from the following sentence that helps you define the word emulate. Felicia always tried to emulate her big sister, so she would often imitate the way she spoke, moved, and how she dressed.
- A.
"tried"
- B.
"often"
- C.
"imitate"
- D.
"way"
Correct Answer
C. "imitate"Explanation
C. The meaning of emulate in this context is “to try to be like someone you admire.” The word “imitate” helps you figure out the meaning of emulate. See Lesson: Context Clues and Multiple Meaning Words.Rate this question:
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- 20.
Select the verb that acts on the underlined direct object in the following sentence. James Madison and Thomas Jefferson were among the men who helped to write the Constitution.
- A.
Were
- B.
Among
- C.
Helped
- D.
Write
Correct Answer
D. WriteExplanation
D. The Constitution is a direct object of the verb write. See Lesson: Direct Objects and Indirect Objects.Rate this question:
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- 21.
Identify the indirect object in the following sentence, if there is one. Snowflakes fell softly to the ground.
- A.
Snowflakes
- B.
Softly
- C.
Ground
- D.
There is no indirect object.
Correct Answer
D. There is no indirect object.Explanation
D. There is no indirect object. See Lesson: Direct Objects and Indirect Objects.Rate this question:
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- 22.
Select the part of speech that cannot be found in the following sentence. I subscribe to National Geographic, and I read it every month.
- A.
Indirect object
- B.
Direct object
- C.
Verb
- D.
Pronoun
Correct Answer
A. Indirect objectExplanation
A. There is no indirect object in this sentence. See Lesson: Direct Objects and Indirect Objects.Rate this question:
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- 23.
Identify the direct object in the following sentence, if there is one. Max tried so hard, but he did not succeed.
- A.
So
- B.
Hard
- C.
Not
- D.
There is no direct object.
Correct Answer
D. There is no direct object.Explanation
D. Neither the verb tried nor the verb succeed has a direct object. So and hard are adverbs. See Lesson: Direct Objects and Indirect Objects.Rate this question:
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- 24.
Identify the verb, if any, that has a direct object in the following sentence. Dr. Popov sat and squinted as he viewed cells through the microscope.
- A.
sat
- B.
squinted
- C.
viewed
- D.
There is no direct object.
Correct Answer
C. viewedExplanation
C. Cells is the direct object of the verb viewed. See Lesson: Direct Objects and Indirect Objects.Rate this question:
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- 25.
Which word or phrase does the underlined modifier describe? A great time was had by all.
- A.
A
- B.
Time
- C.
Was had
- D.
By all
Correct Answer
B. TimeExplanation
B. The adjective great describes time. See Lesson: Modifiers, misplaced modifiers, dangling modifiers.Rate this question:
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- 26.
Identify the likely misplaced modifier in the following sentence. The man in blue wore a large, gaudy hat on his head, which was ugly.
- A.
In blue
- B.
Large
- C.
Gaudy
- D.
Which was ugly
Correct Answer
D. Which was uglyExplanation
D. Which was ugly most likely refers to hat, so it should be placed after that word, not after head. See Lesson: Modifiers, misplaced modifiers, dangling modifiers.Rate this question:
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- 27.
How many modifiers describe the underlined word in the following sentence? Pass that large silver bowl.
- A.
1
- B.
2
- C.
3
- D.
4
Correct Answer
C. 3Explanation
C. That, large, and silver describe bowl.See Lesson: Modifiers, misplaced modifiers, dangling modifiers.Rate this question:
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- 28.
What type of error can be found in the following sentence? The report earned an A that I wrote on the Korean War.
- A.
Run-on sentence
- B.
Incorrect subject-verb agreement
- C.
Misplaced modifier
- D.
Pronoun error
Correct Answer
C. Misplaced modifierExplanation
C. That I wrote on the Korean War should modify report, so it should be placed after that word. See Lesson: Modifiers, misplaced modifiers, dangling modifiers.Rate this question:
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- 29.
Which word in the following sentence is not a modifier? That young woman arrived late yesterday.
- A.
Young
- B.
Woman
- C.
Late
- D.
Yesterday
Correct Answer
B. WomanExplanation
B. Woman is not a modifier. See Lesson: Modifiers, misplaced modifiers, dangling modifiers.Rate this question:
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- 30.
What is the plural form for the noun crisis?
- A.
Crisii
- B.
Crisis
- C.
Crises
- D.
Crisises
Correct Answer
C. CrisesExplanation
C. Crises. See Lesson: Nouns.Rate this question:
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- 31.
Which type of noun is the underlined word? One thing I cannot tolerate is dishonesty.
- A.
Plural noun
- B.
Proper noun
- C.
Abstract noun
- D.
Concrete noun
Correct Answer
C. Abstract nounExplanation
C. Dishonesty does not physically exist; it is an abstract noun. See Lesson: Nouns.Rate this question:
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- 32.
What part of speech is the underlined word in the following sentence? Professor Allen estimated that his research could be completed in two weeks, but he soon realized that his estimate was incorrect.
- A.
Verb
- B.
Noun
- C.
Adverb
- D.
Adjective
Correct Answer
B. NounExplanation
B. The word estimated in this sentence functions as a verb, but here estimate is a noun. See Lesson: Nouns.Rate this question:
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- 33.
Which word in the following sentence is a possessive pronoun? Are you sure that it's yours?
- A.
It's
- B.
You
- C.
That
- D.
Yours
Correct Answer
D. YoursExplanation
D. Yours is a possessive pronoun. See Lesson: Pronouns.Rate this question:
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- 34.
What is the role of the pronoun him in a sentence?
- A.
Object
- B.
Subject
- C.
Possessive
- D.
Any of these
Correct Answer
A. ObjectExplanation
A. Him is an object pronoun. See Lesson: Pronouns.Rate this question:
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- 35.
Select the correct words to complete the following sentence. I have ____ due tomorrow.
- A.
Many homework
- B.
Many homeworks
- C.
A lot of homework
- D.
A lot of homeworks
Correct Answer
C. A lot of homeworkExplanation
C. a lot of homework. Homework is a non-count noun and cannot be made plural by adding -s. See Lesson: Nouns.Rate this question:
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- 36.
How many pronouns are in the following sentence? She and I used to be friends until I dated her brother and it didn't end well.
- A.
3
- B.
4
- C.
5
- D.
6
Correct Answer
C. 5Explanation
C. She, I, I, her, and it are pronouns. See Lesson: Pronouns.Rate this question:
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- 37.
Select the pronoun that could be used in the following sentence. I recognized two people, one of ___ I had worked with before.
- A.
Him
- B.
Who
- C.
Them
- D.
Whom
Correct Answer
D. WhomExplanation
D. The pronoun whom should be used as the object of the preposition of. See Lesson: Pronouns.Rate this question:
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- 38.
Which is the sentence with the correct use of punctuation?
- A.
The book was amazing she couldn’t put it down;
- B.
The book was amazing; she couldn’t put it down.
- C.
The book was amazing; so she couldn’t put it down.
- D.
The book was amazing so; she couldn’t put it down.
Correct Answer
B. The book was amazing; she couldn’t put it down.Explanation
B. The book was amazing; she couldn’t put it down. Semicolons are used to connect two related sentences without using a coordinating conjunction. See Lesson: Punctuation.Rate this question:
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- 39.
Which of the following sentences is correct?
- A.
It was good, wasn’t it?
- B.
Anne did you like the movie?
- C.
It had action drama and romance.
- D.
Before the movie we went to dinner.
Correct Answer
A. It was good, wasn’t it?Explanation
A. It was good, wasn’t it? Commas are used before question tags. See Lesson: Punctuation.Rate this question:
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- 40.
What is the mistake in the following sentence? The video game was intense; I needed state of the art weapons and armor to slay a dragon.
- A.
The semicolon is misplaced.
- B.
Video game should be hyphenated.
- C.
State of the art should be hyphenated.
- D.
There should be a comma between weapons and and.
Correct Answer
C. State of the art should be hyphenated.Explanation
C. State of the art should be hyphenated. It is a compound word before a noun and needs to be hyphenated. See Lesson: Punctuation.Rate this question:
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- 41.
What is missing from the following sentence? Classical music helps with studying, I always listen to it before a test.
- A.
There needs to be a colon after studying.
- B.
There needs to be a semicolon after studying.
- C.
There should be an exclamation point at the end.
- D.
Nothing is missing.
Correct Answer
B. There needs to be a semicolon after studying.Explanation
B. There needs to be a semicolon after studying. A semicolon is used to connect two related sentences. See Lesson: Punctuation.Rate this question:
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- 42.
What is the best definition of the word rupture?
- A.
To seep
- B.
To heal
- C.
To swell
- D.
To burst
Correct Answer
D. To burstExplanation
D. The root rupt means "break," so rupture means to burst. See Lesson: Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes.Rate this question:
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- 43.
Monochromatic most nearly means
- A.
Having one color
- B.
Having many parts
- C.
Having a lot of time
- D.
Having too much heat
Correct Answer
A. Having one colorExplanation
A. The root chrom means “color” and the prefix mono means “one,” so monochromatic means to having one color. See Lesson: Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes.Rate this question:
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- 44.
Which of the following root words means to say?
- A.
Vis
- B.
Vid
- C.
Dict
- D.
Script
Correct Answer
C. DictExplanation
C. The root that means "to say" is dict. See Lesson: Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes.Rate this question:
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- 45.
Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence. The teacher listened to the student’s excuse with an incredulous smile.
- A.
Forced
- B.
Amused
- C.
Insincere
- D.
Disbelieving
Correct Answer
D. DisbelievingExplanation
D. The root cred means “believe,” the prefix in means “not,” and the suffix ous means “full of or possessing,” so, incredulous means disbelieving. See Lesson: Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes.Rate this question:
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- 46.
Which of the following prefixes means with?
- A.
Bio-
- B.
Per-
- C.
Con-
- D.
Trans-
Correct Answer
C. Con-Explanation
C. The prefix that means “with” is con. See Lesson: Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes.Rate this question:
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- 47.
Which of the following spellings is correct?
- A.
Argument
- B.
Arguemint
- C.
Arguement
- D.
Arguemant
Correct Answer
A. ArgumentExplanation
A. Argument is the only correct spelling. See Lesson: Spelling.Rate this question:
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- 48.
What is the correct plural of half?
- A.
Half
- B.
Halfs
- C.
Halfes
- D.
Halves
Correct Answer
D. HalvesExplanation
D. With a word ending in -f, you drop the -f and add -ves. See Lesson: Spelling.Rate this question:
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- 49.
Every runner needs a good ________ of shoes.
- A.
Pair
- B.
Piar
- C.
Pear
- D.
Pare
Correct Answer
A. PairExplanation
A. Pair is spelled correctly and has the appropriate meaning for the sentence. See Lesson: Spelling.Rate this question:
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- 50.
People have _____ arms and legs.
- A.
To
- B.
Tu
- C.
Too
- D.
Two
Correct Answer
D. TwoExplanation
D. Two is the correctly spelled form of the number. See Lesson: Spelling.Rate this question:
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