ACT English : Modifier-Word Modified Countability Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Modifier Word Modified Countability Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Javier proposed to Sara, his fiancé, after much years of great friendship; because of their long history, he wasn't nervous at all.
all
great deal of
NO CHANGE
most
many
many
This question requires the reader to choose the modifier of the word "years." "Years" is a plural, countable noun, therefore we must use a quantifying modifier that is appropriate for countable nouns. From the option choices, "many" is the only appropriate countable modifier.
Example Question #251 : Agreement 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."
a large amount of
a great deal of
much
NO CHANGE
too many
too many
This question asks you to correct a modifier countability error. Since the noun being modified, "dollars," is countable, a countable modifier must be used. It may seem like an uncountable modifier like "too much" should be used since the sentence is discussing money, but since the countable noun "dollars" is used, the correct choice is the countable "too many."
Example Question #31 : Modifier Word Modified Agreement Errors
Are much of your students doing well in physics this year? If not you should definitely try our new computing/studying software, which can increase students' performance sevenfold!
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."
many
NO CHANGE
part
a great deal
portion
many
This question asks you to correct an agreement error in countability between the modifier and the word being modified. The noun being modified, "students," is countable. Therefore, we must use a countable modifier like "many," not an uncountable modifier like "much," "part," or "a great deal."
Example Question #11 : Modifier Word Modified Countability 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."
NO CHANGE
Alot of the trails
More of the trails
Many of the trails
Much trails
Many of the trails
When you can count something (in this case, number of trails) use "many" rather than "much." "Alot" is incorrect because it is not one word-it is spelled "a lot." "More" is incorrect in this case because it implies a comparison and there is nothing being compared in this sentence.
Example Question #32 : Modifier Word Modified Agreement Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
A large amount of animals are nocturnal, meaning they sleep during the day and feed at night.
Plenty of
NO CHANGE
Litte of
Few of
Much of
Plenty of
This question requires the reader to find a quantifying modifier for the word "animals." Animals are countable, therefore the use of the uncountable modifier "a large amount of" is incorrect. "Plenty of" and "Few of" are both possible options, but "plenty of" more closely fits with the original context and meaning of the sentence.
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