ACT English : Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #141 : Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
My favorite activities are baking, knitting, to braid my sister's hair, and going to the mall.
My favorite activities are baking and knitting and to braid my sister's hair and going to the mall.
NO CHANGE
My favorite activities are baking, knitting, braiding my sister's hair, and going to the mall.
My favorite activities are baking, knitting, to braid my sister's hair, and to go to the mall.
My favorite activities are baking knitting to braid my sister's hair and going to the mall.
My favorite activities are baking, knitting, braiding my sister's hair, and going to the mall.
The original sentence contains a parallel structure error. All the elements in a list must be in the same format. The list as written contains three gerunds and one infinitive phrase. It must be reworded so that all items are either one or the other.
Example Question #142 : Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
The dog was happiest when doing his three favorite activities: sleeping, running, and to play with his ball.
NO CHANGE
sleep, running, and to play with his ball.
sleeping, to run, and to play with his ball.
to sleep, run, and playing with his ball.
sleeping, running, and playing with his ball.
sleeping, running, and playing with his ball.
This question asks you to correct a parallel structure error. In parallel structure, the same grammatical form is used for items in a list to enhance the reader's understanding. In this case, all three items on the list should follow the same grammatical form: "sleeping, running, and playing with his ball." The meaning of the sentence is more clear with all three verbs in the form of gerunds (verbs ending in -ing).
Example Question #141 : Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Josh suffered from a fear of dogs ever since he is a little boy. He would shiver in his boots thinking of a dog barking at him, biting him, or that could chase him. He had never met a single dog he liked. The scarier dog he had ever seen was Mr. Green’s dog, whom he had to pass every day. On his way to school. This dog barked so loudly it made Josh’s hairs stand on end.
She said that there was no need to be afraid. Josh’s mom told him that dogs only barked because they were excited to see him. She told him that he just needed to be confident and not act afraid of this dogs’ barking, and speak in a reassuring tone. Then the dog would quiet down and act more friendly.
Josh felt that neither confidence or a reassuring tone would make any difference. He didn’t think he would ever get over his fear. However, one day he had enough. Barking for hours, he realized the dog was bored and just needed a friend. He wasn’t sure if his mother’s advice would prove true? Hiding his fear, he approached the dog and spoke to it in a reassuring tone. To his surprise, the dog wagged it’s tail and quieted down right away.
Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded portion of the passage. If the bolded portion is correct as written, select "NO CHANGE."
barking at him, to bite or to chase him.
barking at him, biting him, or chasing him.
to bark, to bite, or chasing him.
barking, biting, or chasing at him.
NO CHANGE
barking at him, biting him, or chasing him.
This question asks you to correct an error in parallel structure. Parallel structure means that items in a list are in the same format to enhance clarity and show that the items are of equal importance. The correct answer, "barking at him, biting him, or chasing him," puts each of the verbs in the same form, a gerund (or -ing verb). This structure is clear and grammatically correct.
Example Question #141 : Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Choose the best revision of the following sentence. If the sentence is correct as written, select “NO CHANGE.”
Tom's manager told him that he should speak politely to customers, that he should always count his money at the end of the shift, and to arrive early.
Tom's manager told him to speak politely to customers, to always count his money at the end of the shift, and that he should arrive early.
Tom's manager told him to speak politely to customers, that he should always count his money at the end of the shift, and to arrive early.
NO CHANGE
Tom's manager told him that he should speak politely to customers, that he should always count his money at the end of the shift, and that he should arrive early.
Tom's manager told him that he should speak politely to customers, to always count his money at the end of the shift, and to arrive early.
Tom's manager told him that he should speak politely to customers, that he should always count his money at the end of the shift, and that he should arrive early.
This question asks you about the use of parallel structure, in which the same pattern is used to show that two or more items on a list have similar importance. In this sentence, the first two items on the list use the structure "that he should," but the last item switches to the form "to." This creates a parallel structure error. To correct the error, all three items on the list should use the same structure: "that he should speak politely to customers, that he should always count his money at the end of the shift, and that he should arrive early."
Example Question #142 : Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Coupons
Are you trying to stick to a budget? Using coupons for [61] purchases, also known as “couponing” is a great way to save money on groceries. [62] Coupons are a little piece of paper that can give you a discount on what you buy. You will be amazed at the [63] great bargains and amazing savings you can get!
It’s easy to get started. [64] When you open up your daily newspaper, one might find a glossy insert full of coupons. [65] Some of the coupons will be for things you don’t buy, some will be for things you buy all the time. Go through the coupons and [66] chop out the ones you can use.
The key to successful couponing is getting multiple copies of coupon circulars. Ask [67] your friends, your neighbors, and family if they have any extras. Some coupon users even go through the recycling at their office to find more coupons! [68] Completely devoted, these circulars help coupon users to get even more savings.
Couponing might sound like hard work, but for [69] many people, it’s also a hobby. Not only does it help them save hundreds of dollars per year, [70] but instead it gives them a fun challenge every time they do their shopping.
Is there perhaps a greater value to a life lived without constant counting, penny-pinching, and miserliness? [71] But of what value are such savings? [72] At the end of the day; money is a construct, invented by the elite for the sole purpose of controlling the populace. [73] If we accept this fundamental truth, it behooves one to question the monetary structures that control our lives. Indeed, from this perspective, the very practice of couponing might seem a venial distraction from the valuable human endeavor of personal philosophical consideration. [74]
The papers we pore over should be in our books; the pennies we save should be in the currency of our happiness; [75] the budget we have made should have been a budget of our contentment.
A sort of couponing of the soul might ultimately be the solution.
Choose the answer that best corrects section [67].
your friends, your neighbors, and your family
friends, neighbors and your family
NO CHANGE
friends, your neighbors and family
your friends, your neighbors, and your family
This question asks you to correct a parallel structure error. In parallel structure, items in a list should be in the same format to increase clarity and convey the equal importance of all items. The original phrasing, “your friends, your neighbors, and family,” does not follow a parallel structure. To improve it, we can add the word “your” in front of family, so that the list reads, “your friends, your neighbors, and your family.”
Example Question #146 : Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Maybe your thinking of getting a dog; but you are not sure how it will affect your budget. Don’t worry! It’s possible to enjoy the companionship with a dog without spending too much of your precious dollars.
First, you will want to make a list of all the necessary items needed before you bring Fluffy home. Compare costs at different pet stores, grocery stores and big box stores. You will need to buy food, a leash, and purchase toys for your dog.
When it comes to the many dog food choices, you don’t want to just buy the cheaper option. You will want to do some research to see what is healthiest for your dog! One of the best ways to save money on dog food is to buy it in bulk.
Don’t forget to plan for some other big expenses, the vet consultation, wellness exam, and any treatments your dog needs. When you bring your pet to the vet, they may need shots, which can vary for price. Call different clinics in the area and ask how much they charge for the standard immunizations? You might find that there is a lot of differences between offices.
The key to sticking to your budget is planning everything out! With good preparation and organization, a dog will not cost you more money than you planned for.
Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded and underlined portion of the passage. If the bolded and underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
food, leash, and purchase some toys
NO CHANGE
food, a leash and purchase toys
food, purchase a leash, and toys
food, a leash, and toys
food, a leash, and toys
This question asks you to correct an error in parallel structure. For clarity, all the items on the list should be in the same format, so "food, a leash, and toys" is the best answer. Inserting the word "purchase" interrupts the parallel structure, and it is also redundant.
Example Question #147 : Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Fashion, that ever-changing entity has thrown us some curveballs in the last year. No one expected that gym pants would become acceptable workwear, but that’s exactly what has happened! First seen on the runway these casual, slouchy pants bridge the gap between exercise attire and business casual. They have comfortable, elastic waists but feature crisp lines and smart patterns.
Even though top executives have been seen sporting this edgy look, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you can pull it off too! Think about your office dress code and how relaxed it is. For instance, do you see other people in your office wearing less traditional clothing, and do people push the boundaries without getting in trouble. If every person in your office is wearing a button-down shirt, suits, and a tie, this fun fashion may be best left to the weekend.
Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded and underlined portion of the passage. If the bolded and underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
NO CHANGE
button-down shirts, a suit, and a tie
a button-down shirt, a suit, and a tie
a button down shirt, suits, and ties
suits, ties, and a button-down shirt
a button-down shirt, a suit, and a tie
This question asks you to place items in a list in parallel structure to increase clarity. Parallel structure means that all the items in a list should be in the same format. In this list, "a button-down shirt" and "a tie" are in the same singular format with the determiner "a," but "suits" is plural without a determiner. To correct this parallel structure error, we should put all the items on the list in the same format: "a button-down shirt, a suit, and a tie."
Example Question #144 : Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
In legends and stories passed from generation to generation, people have spoken, and written about the mysterious glimmering beauty of the morning star. This twinkling body of light goes under many names. Some call it the morning star, some have called it the evening star, and some call it the planet Venus. The reason we see the morning star is because the planet Venus is somewhere to the left side relative to Earth. As the Earth rotates and the sun "rises" east of where you are positioned, the morning star also catches the sun's light and the reflection of the light off the planet's surface is what we see in the morning. When the planet has moved to the right of the sun, the opposite occurs so we only see the reflection off the planet in the evening as the sun sets. As the planet slowly rotate around the sun, it is possible that the planet could be on the left side in the morning and then the right side in the evening, causing us to see it as both an evening and morning star.
Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded portion of this passage. If the bolded portion is correct as written, please select NO CHANGE.
Some call it the morning star, some call it the evening star, and some call it the planet Venus.
Some call it the morning star, some have called it the evening star, and some are calling it the planet Venus.
Some called it the morning star, some call it the evening star, and some call it the planet Venus.
NO CHANGE
Some call it the morning star, some are calling it the evening star, and some calling it the planet Venus.
Some call it the morning star, some call it the evening star, and some call it the planet Venus.
The parallelism in this sentence requires each of the phrases to begin in the same manner. Repeating "some call it" in front of every description in the sentence provides a consistency in verb tenses and also the consistency required of parallelism.
Example Question #141 : Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
The rainforest in Borneo which is home to a declining orangutan population is in danger because of the slash and burn agriculture practices of palm oil plantations. As a student of environmental science and policy, I had the opportunity to travel to Borneo with a team of scientists and learn more about the situation. It was my first time visiting the rainforest, and I was excited to hike, camp, and learning. At night, we cooked dinner over a small camp stove, but during the day we ate plants along the trail. The biologists's extensive training in botany helped them identify which plants were edible during their trek through the rainforest. I felt very fortunate to see this beautiful, endangered forest. One of the scientists told me that much of the trails in the forest are impassable during the rainy season. After a few days of trekking, we arrived in a part of the forest that was supposed to be a protected area. However, the local minister of forestry was known for catering to the wishes of large palm oil plantation owners. The minister was determined to support the lucrative palm oil industry, irregardless of the costs. Consequently, he had recently allowed the area’s largest company to conduct slash-and-burn farming within the boundaries of the protected area. The scientists told me that these practices not only harmed orangutan habitats, and they contributed to global warming by releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide when peat burns on the forest floor.
Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded and underlined portion of the passage. If the bolded and underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
and learn.
and will learn.
and would learn.
NO CHANGE
and be learning.
and learn.
This is a parallel structure error. All of the verbs in the list are in simple present tense ("hike," "camp") so "learn" also needs to be in that format.
Example Question #142 : Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
On the weekends, I enjoy hiking, baking, dancing, and to spend time with my friends. Most of all, however, I love to run. I never thought of myself as a talented runner. However, when Jenna moved to my neighborhood, she inspired me to join the track team and find my stride. We met when we were both walking to class, and when I asked Jenna about her elective classes, she enthusiastically began talking about the track team. “You should join”! she exclaimed. I told her I’m not a very good runner, and she responded that anybody could be a decent runner with enough practice and the right attitude.
We started practicing after school and on weekends, and eventually I decided to try out for the team. To my surprise, I made the cut. Even though everybody else had a faster finish time than me, I enjoyed being part of the first race of the semester.
Because she is both dedicated and naturally talented, Jenna is the better runner on the entire team. Despite her success, she is never arrogant and always willing to help others develop their athletic skills. When all of the high schools in the state send they’re top three runners to the championship, everyone on the team travel to support Jenna.
Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded and underlined portion of the passage. If the bolded and underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
NO CHANGE
and to be spending time with my friends
and spending time with my friends.
and will spend time with my friends.
and spend time with my friends.
and spending time with my friends.
This is a parallel structure error. All of the items in the list should be in the same form. In this case the first items in the list (hiking, baking, dancing are all in -ing form (with no preposition such as to etc in front) so the next item should also be in -ing form. (spending).
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