All ACT English Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #131 : Agreement Errors
Passage adapted from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1899) by L. Frank Baum
Dorothy lived in the midst of the great Kansas prairies, with Uncle Henry, who was a farmer, and Aunt Em, who was the farmer's wife. Their house was small, for the lumber to build it had to be carried by wagon many miles. There were four walls, a floor and a roof, which make one room; and this room contained a rusty looking cookstove, a cupboard for the dishes, a table, three or four chairs, and the beds. Uncle Henry and Aunt Em had a big bed in one corner, and Dorothy a little bed in another corner. There was no garret at all, and no cellar--except a small hole dug in the ground, called a cyclone cellar, where the family could go in case one of those great whirlwinds arose, mighty enough to crush any building in its path. It was reached by a trap door in the middle of the floor, from which a ladder led down into the small, dark hole.
When Dorothy stood in the doorway and looked around, she could see nothing but the great gray prairie on every side. Not a tree nor a house broke the broad sweep of flat country that reached to the edge of the sky in all directions. The sun had baked the plowed land into a gray mass, with little cracks running through it. Even the grass was not green, for the sun had burned the tops of the long blades until they were the same gray color to be seen everywhere. Once the house had been painted, but the sun blistered the paint and the rains washed it away, and now the house was as dull and gray as everything else.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the passage. If the bolded and underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
were making
made
NO CHANGE
makes
made
"Made" is the correct choice, because it is in the past tense and agrees with the subject (four walls, a floor and a roof).
Example Question #161 : Word Usage Errors
Select the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the sentence is correct as is, select "NO CHANGE."
The tracks in the snow and the scat on the ground provides evidence that deer have visited the yard.
was providing evidence that
NO CHANGE
were providing evidence that
provides evidence for
provide evidence that
provide evidence that
There is no need to change the tense, only the number. The compound subject ("tracks and scat") needs a plural verb, provide.
Example Question #162 : Word Usage Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
There was a giraffe and a herd of zebras at the zoo.
There was giraffes
It was a giraffe
NO CHANGE
There were a giraffe
It were a giraffe
There were a giraffe
The verb precedes the compound subject ("giraffe and a herd of zebras") here, making it tougher to see that you need a plural verb ("were") instead of the singular "was."
Example Question #163 : Word Usage 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 dress and the jacket is in the closet downstairs.
NO CHANGE
jacket it is in the closet
jacket they are in the closet
jacket's in the closet
jacket are in the closet
jacket are in the closet
The compound subject "the dress and the jacket" needs a plural verb "are." If the "and" between the "dress and the jacket" were an "or" then the subject would be singular.
Example Question #161 : Word Usage Errors
Second language acquisition has already been positively correlated to increased cognitive flexibility (1): what has yet to be investigated is the correlation between cultural literacy—as a potential result of second language acquisition—and the facilitation of social relationships on the individual and community levels, academic and career success, and personal cultural enrichment. Cultural literacy may be (2) viewed as a deepest sense of foreign language study, as it encompasses all facets of culture rather than just language. If these positive correlations are accurately established (3) , the United State's education system and (4) its lack of priority given to foreign language studies must be reevaluated. Vastly extending foreign language requirements would allow individuals not only the obvious benefit of communicating in more than one language, (5) but also from greater academic success in high school, college, and the workplace, as well as less multicultural tension in social and professional arenas. (6) As the global market continues to be vital to the economic prosperity of nations, and immigration trends change their cultural make-up, (7) both linguistic and cultural understanding and awareness is essential.
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."
both linguistic and cultural understanding and awareness are essential.
both linguistic and cultural understanding and awareness is essential.
NO CHANGE
all linguistic and cultural understanding, in addition to awareness, are essential
both linguistic and cultural understanding and awareness are essential.
The verb "are" must agree with "understanding and awareness," which are modified by the words "linguistic" and cultural."
Example Question #951 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Stephen, along with two of his sisters, have been designated to serve as trustees for their family's estate.
NO CHANGE
were
are being
are
has been
has been
The subject of the sentence (Stephen) is singular and is followed by a modifying phrase (along with two of his sisters) that is NOT part of the subject. Thus the sentence must have a singular predicate.
Are, are being, and were are all plural verbs.
Example Question #952 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Neither my parents nor their neighbors has any idea how the large tree came to be located, laying across the middle of their street.
NO CHANGE
are having
has been having
has had
have
have
The two subjects separated by the coordinator "neither...nor" are both plural, thus the verb should be plural. "Are having" would change the time referent
Example Question #953 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Three horses and a cat is living in Mrs. Smith's barn.
living
are living
living is
NO CHANGE
living are
are living
This sentence contains a compound subject. Although the word "cat" is singular, the compound subject of the sentence, "three horses and a cat," is plural. Therefore, the plural verb form "are living" should be used in order for the subject and verb to agree.
Example Question #954 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Lauren and I am not going to the party.
Lauren and I are not going to the party.
Me and Lauren are not going to the party.
Lauren and me are not going to the party.
Lauren and me is not going to the party.
NO CHANGE
Lauren and I are not going to the party.
Since "Lauren and I" is a plural subject, the verb has to be plural as well. Replace "Lauren and I" with "we," and the verb "are" might sound more natural than "am."
Example Question #955 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Bill and Tiffany's brother buys a round of appetizers for the table.
has bought
buying
buy
NO CHANGE
was buying
buy
This question asks you about subject-verb agreement. When the subject of a sentence is plural, the verb must also use a plural form in order to agree. In this case, the compound subject includes two people, "Bill" and "Tiffany's brother," so it is plural. Therefore, the plural form of the verb, "buy," should be used rather than the singular form, "buys."
Certified Tutor
Certified Tutor