ACT English : Word Choice, Style, and Tone
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English
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Example Questions
Example Question #171 : Word Choice, Style, And Tone
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
In order to effectively plan for their senior year of high school, students should make sure they save a bunch of money to pay for Senior Prom, Grad Night, and other activities.
a massive pile
NO CHANGE
a great number
a significant amount
a whole lot
a significant amount
Since the sentence is written in formal tone, colloquial phrases such as a bunch, a lot, or a pile are not appropriate. Number is not idiomatically correct when followed by of money.
Example Question #291 : Act English
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Going to the Senior Prom these days requires a whole lot of money.
boatload
NO CHANGE
big pile
significant amount
great number
significant amount
"Big pile" and "whole lot" are too informal in tone. "Boatload" is not idiomatically correct in this context.
"Number" is a count noun and is thus not appropriate in this context.
Example Question #172 : Word Choice, Style, And Tone
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
The most innovative aspect of the clinical data processing tool is that it is super awesome at sorting patients into high-risk and low-risk groups for further study.
The most innovative aspect of the clinical data processing tool is that it is totally the best at sorting patients into high-risk and low-risk groups for further study.
The most innovative aspect of the clinical data processing tool is that it is wonderfully good at sorting patients into high-risk and low-risk groups for further study.
The most innovative aspect of the clinical data processing tool is that it is extremely effective at sorting patients into high-risk and low-risk groups for further study.
The most innovative aspect of the clinical data processing tool is that it is so amazingly great at sorting patients into high-risk and low-risk groups for further study.
NO CHANGE
The most innovative aspect of the clinical data processing tool is that it is extremely effective at sorting patients into high-risk and low-risk groups for further study.
This question asks you to correct an error in tone. The phrase "super awesome" has an informal and conversational tone, which does not match the academic tone used in the rest of the sentence. The phrase "extremely effective" is a good replacement because it communicates the same meaning and better matches the tone of the sentence.
Example Question #172 : Word Choice, Style, And Tone
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Every meal at this restaurant was created by the world-class chef Maria A.
The world-class chef Maria A created every meal at this restaurant.
Every meal at this restaurant, was created by, the world-class chef, Maria A.
Every meal at this restaurant were created by the world-class chef Maria A.
NO CHANGE
Every meal at this restaurant was created by Maria A, who is a world-class chef.
The world-class chef Maria A created every meal at this restaurant.
The original sentence is in the passive voice. An editor can make it stronger by rewording it in the active voice, making the agent of action the subject of the verb.
Example Question #173 : Word Choice, Style, And Tone
While the course appeared hard from the outset, when his report card arrived in the mail, Charlie had discovered that all of his studying had paid off. He had successfully passed Chemistry: his father would be proud. His father, a world-renowned chemist was doubtful that Charlie would pass the class but Charlie was sure that he could do it. He had spent all of the fall semester studying the periodic table, memorizing different measurements and learning the parts of an atom.
That terrible semester culminated in the final exam. The day of the big test, his stomach is a tight knot of nerves. He tried to tell his mother that he was feeling ill but she knew that he was lying. He shook as he tried to put on his shoes and socks. He woke up with his fingers tightly gripping the bedspread. Sitting on the bus, he could feel himself sweating through his light sweater. When Charlie finally arrived at school, he walked into his Chemistry class just as his teacher was passing out the test. “You may now begin,” she said.
With the report card now clenched in his hands in victory, Charlie knew that he could tackle anything to which he put his mind.
Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded portion of the passage. If the bolded portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
his stomach is not a tight knot of nerves
his stomach was not a tight knot of nerves
his stomach was a tight knot of nerves
NO CHANGE
his stomach was a tight knot of nerves
The rest of the passage takes place in the past tense, and no reason is given to suddenly switch to using present tense in the middle of it. Thus, instead of saying "is," (present tense), the passage should say "was" (past tense).
Example Question #174 : Word Choice, Style, And Tone
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Scientists in the laboratory undertook the momentous task of studying the chemical reaction, and discovered that it made a crazy huge, loud bang.
that it was crazy loud.
that it made a bang.
NO CHANGE
that it was super intensely loud and big.
that the resulting explosion was large and loud.
that the resulting explosion was large and loud.
This question asks you to correct a tone error. The phrase "crazy huge, loud bang" is informal and colloquial, and it does not match the academic tone used in the rest of the sentence. "The resulting explosion was large and loud" conveys the same meaning and better matches the tone used in the rest of the sentence.
Example Question #175 : Word Choice, Style, And Tone
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Harold knew that he needed to memorize a whole bunch of formulas if he was going to be ready for his upcoming Physics exam.
a large amount
many
NO CHANGE
a load
a pile
many
"Load," "pile," and "whole bunch" are too colloquial for the formal tone of this sentence.
Since the formulas can be counted, we would need the count noun "number" instead of "amount"
Example Question #177 : Word Choice, Style, And Tone
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 [66].
hack
cut
gouge
NO CHANGE
cut
This question asks you to correct a word choice error. The use of the word “chop” is awkward in context, and it is a stronger word than necessary to describe an act most likely being done with household scissors. The best choice to replace “chop” is “cut,” which better describes the act of clipping out coupons in the home.
Example Question #176 : Word Choice, Style, And Tone
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, select “NO CHANGE.”
”Snow can actually slow down the formation of ice, since it insulates the ice from coldness.
chilliness
wind.
cold air
frigidity
NO CHANGE
cold air
This question asks you to address a word choice error. The word "coldness" is indistinct and vague here, and fails to give a clear picture of what the author is trying to describe. Replacing it with the phrase "cold air" makes it more clear what the snow insulates from the ice. The words "chilliness" and "frigidity" are as vague as the original, while the word "wind" fails to specify a temperature and therefore changes the sentence's meaning.
Example Question #267 : Writing And Revising Effectively
Choose an synonym for prudent.
impulsive
interminable
judicious
lackadaisical
fearful
judicious
"Prudent" means wise, careful, or cautious; therefore, "judicious" is the best word choice.
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