ACT English : Writing and Revising Effectively
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Example Question #2 : Analyzing Effectiveness
"A Unique Journey" by Jasmine Tilley (2013)
While I was studying abroad in Europe, I had the great opportunity to travel to different countries. For one of my adventures, I chose to travel to Switzerland; however, the classmates I usually traveled with were unable to come with me. I was faced in deciding whether to go alone or not at all. This decision was easy for me, I was not going to pass up the opportunity to see Switzerland!
I first had to board a train from where I was staying in Italy to reach the southern part of Switzerland. Unfortunately, the train workers were on strike that day, so I ended up delayed in Milan for several hours. Soon enough I was on my way again. However, shortly after I reached the Switzerland border, the train stopped because one of the cars was filled with smoke! I still have no idea what happened, but after a few minutes we were moving again.
Once I finally reached Geneva, I had to walk to find the hostel where I was staying that I had booked. It was night, and I realized that I was truly alone. I did not know another soul in this entire country! This thought was both scary and exciting.
The next day, I walked all around Geneva. Being my own tour guide was a fantastic adventure. I saw all the major sites while also experiencing the culture. There was some sort of marathon going on that day, and there was so much excitement all throughout the city. There were live bands. It even rained off and on. Everything was new and interesting, and I loved it.
That evening, I boarded a train to Zermatt. Prior to this journey, I had no idea that the Matterhorn was an actual mountain! The city of Zermatt was very tiny and had no cars, only small electric vehicles that resembled wind-up toys. The whole city was lit up, and though I was walking to my hostel at night again, I felt very safe. Walking through Geneva at night, though, starkly contrasted it.
The next day, I decided to go skiing on the beautiful, snowy mountains in Zermatt. I rented a pair of skis and spent a few hours skiing in my jeans and coat! It was an amazing experience.
My journey to Switzerland is dear to me not just because of the many beautiful and exciting things I experienced, but also because I was alone. I had the time as well as the quiet atmosphere to absorb and contemplate not just what was going on around me but also what was going on inside myself. I felt changed somehow. I felt stronger and more independent.
If the writer’s goal was to provide a detailed description of the cities in Switzerland she visited, has she accomplished this?
Yes, because she provides objective details that help the reader picture life in the cities.
No, because she is telling a fictional story with details that are non-descriptive.
No, because the focus of the essay is on her specific experiences in each of the cities.
Yes, because she describes specific characteristics of the cities.
No, because the focus of the essay is on her specific experiences in each of the cities.
Although the writer does describe some characteristics of the cities, her main focus is on her own experience.
Example Question #331 : Writing And Revising Effectively
In 1929, E.F. Lindquist, a professor in the University of Iowa College of Education, began designing tests for the Iowa Academic Meet. The purpose of the meet was to identify exemplary high school students. Test-takers began with a first round of testing. This round occurred during the school day and covered ten core academic subjects. Students who scored well in the first round participated in district-level tests that were more difficult. High-scorers from the second round participated in a third round of testing. The top ten students in each subject area were rewarded with medals at a banquet. Although the test was a success, Lindquist wanted to reduce the competitive aspect of the test. To achieve this goal, Lindquist renamed the test the Iowa Every-Pupil Achievement Testing Program.
The tests popularity provided Lindquist with the opportunity to study how to best write, administer, and score a standardized test. However, Lindquist was not yet satisfied. He grew concerned that the test focused too much on rote memorization of content rather than on skill development. Lindquist began to work on a test for middle school students that would test skills. This test which was first administered in 1935 became known as the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. In 1942, the Every-Pupil test is discontinued and replaced with the Iowa Tests of Educational Development. As Lindquist had hoped, this test focused on testing skills rather than pure content memorization.
By the late 1950s, Lindquist had gained significant renown in the world of standardized testing, so he became involved in the process of developing a college admissions testing program. Although the SAT had been a commonly used admissions test since 1926, it was primarily marketed in the northeast and used as an admissions test for universities in that region. Schools outside this area used a variety of different tests that covered different content and was administered at different times. This led to unreliable results.
In 1958, that a standardized, national test be developed was proposed by Lindquist. He also hoped that, unlike the SAT, the new test would measure academic achievement so that it could be used to gauge each student’s level of preparation for college-level work.
Lindquist and a man named Ted McCarrel began developing the new test. One of McCarrel's main jobs was contacting admissions officers and convincing schools to use the new test. However, like the SAT, the ACT began as a regional test. Unlike the SAT, however, it was primarily used in the Midwest. With time and effort, the test became more popular in other parts of the country.
In 1959, the ACT was administered for the first time. The test was similar to the Iowa Tests of Educational Development. It consisted of four parts; English, math, social studies, and natural science. The social studies and natural science portions required students to interpret readings from each field; thus, Lindquist was able to maintain his goal of testing skills rather than memorized facts. Students had forty-five minutes to complete each section of the test. The ACT quickly became a staple of the college admissions process. In the first year, 132,963 students took the test, and that number grew in subsequent years.
Today, many colleges and universities in the U.S. accept ACT results from students applying for admission. So, don't worry! I'm sure your college will accept it too!
If the author had intended to write an essay about the history of the SAT, would this essay fulfill that goal?
Yes, because the essay discusses all the tests that have been used for college admissions in the past, including the SAT.
Yes, because the passage mentions that the SAT was first used in 1926.
Yes, because the passage contrasts the SAT with the ACT.
No, because the essay primarily addresses the ACT, and the SAT is only mentioned briefly.
No, because the essay does not explain how the SAT is used today.
No, because the essay primarily addresses the ACT, and the SAT is only mentioned briefly.
While the passage does mention the SAT, the SAT is primarily discussed in terms of how it differs from the ACT. For example, the passage explains that the SAT was initially more popular in the northeast while the ACT was initially more popuular in the midwest. It is true that the passage states that the SAT was first used in 1926, but even with this detail, the SAT is not discussed in enough detail to fully explain the history of the SAT. Instead, the essay focuses on the history of the ACT.
The use of the SAT today is irrelevant to the focus of this esasy, which is the history of the ACT. Not all past college admissions tests are discussed, and even if they were, discussing more tests would not focus the essay on the history of the SAT.
Example Question #332 : Writing And Revising Effectively
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart has become wide recognized as one of the most brilliant and influential musicians of all time. At only thirteen years old, he skillfully played several instruments and wrote in a variety of musical genres. Over the past century, his orchestral music, along with his many operas, have delighted audiences around the world. Mozart wrote his music for wealthy patrons and aristocrats, yet even the commoners of the time enjoyed his music. The music of Mozart is richer and more textured than his contemporary, Joseph Haydn.
The Austro-Turkish War, which began in 1787, prompted the redirection of much of Austria’s resources from arts and music to the military. As a result, Mozart faced financial difficulties. In 1788, he discontinued his public concerts and his income declined. In 1790, hoping to improve his financial situation and circumstances, Mozart toured Berlin and several other cities in Germany. The tours were unsuccessful, however, and did not improve his financial problems.
Scholars have proposed several hypotheses regarding the cause of Mozart’s death, such as influenza, smallpox and meningitis. Their is little physical evidence, however, to support these claims. Mozart's funeral belied the elaborate ornamentation of his music: the ceremony was basic and reserved. In the period following his death, Mozart’s popularity increased significantly. Concert halls throughout Europe featured his music, and composers sought to imitate his style. Modern audiences praise Mozart’s music for its liveliness, expressiveness, and the fact that it is sophisticated.
Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded portion of the passage. If the bolded portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
NO CHANGE
and
because
so
NO CHANGE
The author mentions two facts: 1) that Mozart wrote his music for the rich and 2) that the poor enjoyed his music as well. The second fact contrasts with an expectation set up by the first.
The most logical way to connect the two facts is with a contrastive word such as "but" or "yet."
The answer choices "because," "so," and "and" fail to convey this contrast.
Example Question #333 : Writing And Revising Effectively
"The Election of 1800" by Alec Slatky (2013)
The presidential election of 1800 was an unusual and unique contest in American history. The opponents were John Adams and Thomas Jefferson former friends who became rivals. Jefferson had actually been Vice President under Adams, but had not supported the latter’s policies. Jefferson leapt at the chance to unseat his former boss. Adams, too, would have enjoyed spending time on his farm more than dealing with political acrimony. Accordingly, he was too prideful to willingly relinquish his office. So, the two men who were most qualified for the position but least excited to have such a stressful job became the presidential candidates.
The campaign was a bitter partisan one and included numerous personal attacks. Critics called Jefferson a Democratic-Republican radical, he would lead the country down the bloody path of the French Revolution. Jefferson’s allies fired back, painting Adams as an anti-liberty autocrat. Adams was from Massachusetts. Adams even faced opposition from some extremists among his fellow Federalists and thus lacked the party unity required to win the election.
In the end, Jefferson emerged victorious, winning 73 of the 138 electoral votes. Thomas Jefferson was inaugurated as President, and Aaron Burr was inaugurated as Vice President. The election was a milestone in American history: it was the first that shifted control of the White House to a different party, the first with a modern mudslinging campaign, and the first that truly tested whether the new nation would remain united despite all its divisions.
Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded portion of the passage. If the bolded portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
NO CHANGE
OMIT the underlined section.
Massachusetts was the birthplace and residence of John Adams.
Even today, the state of Massachusetts is proud to have been the birthplace of John Adams.
Adams was originally from Massachusetts, though he resided in Washington, D.C.
OMIT the underlined section.
OMIT is correct because the other three choices are not relevant to the discussion of the campaign.
Example Question #334 : Writing And Revising Effectively
"The Election of 1800" by Alec Slatky (2013)
The presidential election of 1800 was an unusual and unique contest in American history. The opponents were John Adams and Thomas Jefferson former friends who became rivals. Jefferson had actually been Vice President under Adams, but had not supported the latter’s policies. Jefferson leapt at the chance to unseat his former boss. Adams, too, would have enjoyed spending time on his farm more than dealing with political acrimony. Accordingly, he was too prideful to willingly relinquish his office. So, the two men who were most qualified for the position but least excited to have such a stressful job became the presidential candidates.
The campaign was a bitter partisan one and included numerous personal attacks. Critics called Jefferson a Democratic-Republican radical, he would lead the country down the bloody path of the French Revolution. Jefferson’s allies fired back, painting Adams as an anti-liberty autocrat. Adams was from Massachusetts. Adams even faced opposition from some extremists among his fellow Federalists and thus lacked the party unity required to win the election.
In the end, Jefferson emerged victorious, winning 73 of the 138 electoral votes. Thomas Jefferson was inaugurated as President, and Aaron Burr was inaugurated as Vice President. The election was a milestone in American history: it was the first that shifted control of the White House to a different party, the first with a modern mudslinging campaign, and the first that truly tested whether the new nation would remain united despite all its divisions.
Suppose the author intended to write an essay about the platform of the Federalist Party. Would this essay fulfill the author’s goal?
Yes, because the presidential election of 1800 promoted Federalist ideals.
Yes, because John Adams was the candidate who explained the Federalist platform.
No, because the Federalist party did not have a platform in the presidential election of 1800.
No, because the Federalist Party was not part of the presidential election of 1800.
No, because the essay focuses on a contest involving the Federalist Party rather than its specific policy proposals.
No, because the essay focuses on a contest involving the Federalist Party rather than its specific policy proposals.
"No, because the essay focuses on a contest involving the Federalist Party rather than its specific policy proposals" is correct because the essay is about the overall election, not the Federalist Party or their proposals. The two "yes" choices are incorrect because the essay never explains what the platform is. The other "no" choice is incorrect because the Federalist Party was mentioned as one of the competitors in the Election of 1800: “Adams even faced opposition from some extremists among his fellow Federalists.”
Example Question #335 : Writing And Revising Effectively
Speech production is a complicated and complex process, that requires the coordination of three different systems: respiration, phonation, and articulation. A deficit in any of these systems will negatively impact the quality of one’s speech.
We all know that respiration, or breathing, is necessary for life, but have you ever thought about it’s usefulness for speech? Try to talk while holding you’re breath and you will see what I mean. Exhalation provides a stream of air that the next two systems shape into what many people like to call speech.
Phonation happens in your larynx, or voice box. A pair of muscles form a shelf-like structure on either side of your larynx, and this pair of muscles is known as your vocal folds. As you exhale during speech, your vocal fold muscles contract and move towards each other. They vibrate as air passes between them, creating a buzzing sound, and this is a process that is known as phonation. The word “phonation” comes from the ancient Greek word for sound.
Finally, the last stage is articulation. At this final stage, you move your tongue, lips, and jaw to affect the way vibrating air leaves your mouth. For example, when you say the “b” sound, you need to squeeze your lips together to stop the airflow before opening your lips again. For the “v” sound, you touch your top teeth against your lower lip and force air through between your teeth and lip.
Assuming all of the following are true, which would be the best sentence to place at the end of the third paragraph instead of the bolded sentence?
The word "phonation" comes from a word meaning sound; you may recognize this from other words relating to sound, such as "telephone" and "microphone."
Other mammals, such as cats, also phonate, but using a different set of muscles.
Without phonation, you wouldn’t be able to speak louder than a whisper.
How could we speak without phonation?
NO CHANGE
Without phonation, you wouldn’t be able to speak louder than a whisper.
The original sentence is irrelevant. This is a passage about how speech is produced, so the word origins of speech-related terms is not important. The correct answer expands on the information in the paragraph, describing what happens where there is a deficit in this stage of the speech process. The incorrect answer choice "Other mammals, such as cats, also phonate, but using a different set of muscles" is also irrelevant to the purpose of the passage.
Example Question #13 : Analyzing Effectiveness
The following passage is meant to convince you to not buy a specific brand of car. Does it accomplish this goal or not? Why?
I am a loyal Vroom customer. A friend of mine had a Howdy for years, and, I swear, that thing would break down at least once a year. He must have poured over $3,000 into that car in repairs over the years, and that's not counting the lost time when he didn't have a car. I also heard from my sister that her girlfriend owns a Howdy that also needs repairs all the time. My Vroom has never had problems like that, so I know where my loyalties lie. You should take this lesson to heart.
This is effective because his stories of his friend's and family's car troubles clearly establish his brand choice as the superior one.
This is not effective because the speaker only uses anecdotal evidence that may be unique to his limited frame of reference
This is not effective because the speaker does not clarify what kind of car he own. He only references the brand.
This is effective because Howdy makes terrible cars.
This is not effective because the speaker only uses anecdotal evidence that may be unique to his limited frame of reference
Anecdotal evidence is not strong enough to prove a point. The speaker, as an individual, has a limited perspective. His anecdotes, while possibly provable, are not enough evidence to make an argument that stands up to scrutiny. He will need to cite more objective data points such as a study or a product analysis to make his point effective.
Example Question #362 : Act English
For decades large American corporations have outsourced (1) its workers, (2) especially in the manufacturing realm, in order to save money that could be spent paying American workers for the same job. Workers in foreign countries, especially those that contain a highly populated urban population as in Eastern Asia, are willing to work much longer hours for far less money than American workers. In addition,these foreign workers are not protected by as many labor laws. If a company’s primary desire is to maximize profit, (3) so outsourcing jobs is the most obvious and convenient solution. That is, until stories of unfair labor practices (4) begin circulating. Technological advancements in mass media communication (5) having been able to facilitate the process of raising awareness of important issues, including violation of basic human rights in the workplace.
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."
began circulating
begin to circulate
circulation begins
NO CHANGE
NO CHANGE
The verb "begin" is one that can be followed by either a gerund (-ing verb) or infinitive verb. If the underlined portion is grammatically correct, it is always best to keep it as such. For this reason, you should not choose the also grammatically correct "begin to circulate." "Began circulating" would change the tense from present to past. Changing to "circulation begins" would place a noun directly after the noun "unfair labor practices" without first inserting the verb.
Example Question #281 : Revising Content
For decades large American corporations have outsourced (1) its workers, (2) especially in the manufacturing realm, in order to save money that could be spent paying American workers for the same job. Workers in foreign countries, especially those that contain a highly populated urban population as in Eastern Asia, are willing to work much longer hours for far less money than American workers. In addition,these foreign workers are not protected by as many labor laws. If a company’s primary desire is to maximize profit, (3) so outsourcing jobs is the most obvious and convenient solution. That is, until stories of unfair labor practices (4) begin circulating. Technological advancements in mass media communication (5) having been able to facilitate the process of raising awareness of important issues, including violation of basic human rights in the workplace.
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
have facilitating the process of raising awareness
have facilitated the process of raising awareness
have facilitated in the process to raise awareness
have facilitated the process of raising awareness
"Have facilitating the process of raising awareness" is incorrect because "have" cannot be followed by a gerund verb. "Have facilitated in the process to raise awareness" creates unnecessary wordiness, and "the process of raising awareness is facilitated" demonstrates passive voice as opposed to active voice.
Example Question #281 : Revising Content
“John Adams—A Forgotten American Founder”
Sadly, the great exploits of important [46] men and women is often forgotten in the mists of history. The myths and historical tales of a nation can lead the people to forget [47] some of their most important founders and national heroes. In the United States of America, this kind of forgetfulness has occurred in the case of the Founding Father, John Adams. For a number of reasons, President Adams [48] had been forgotten. Recounting the [49] tales of the nations’ founding, many remember figures like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. [50] However, during those early years of the republic, Adams was a pivotal figure in assuring independence to the burgeoning nation.
[51] During the debates concerning the Declaration of Independence, Adams was something of a “chief orator,” tirelessly attempting to convince the gathered parties of the importance of declaring independence from England. [52] Adams a temperamental and passionate man, was the perfect person to fill such a role. In contrast to the judicious Franklin and the controlled and quiet Jefferson, he was fit for performing such oratorical shows and bombasts. [53] Although he joined Jefferson and Franklin on the drafting committee for the declaration, his most important work during this time was arguably this long project of oratory.
[54] In addition, many forget the lonely years Adams spent as a minister to France and as the first minister to England. What a difficult affair such posts would have been at the time. [55] As the minister to France, what weight could he have had with the court of such an old European nation? Furthermore, Adams [56] was not temperamentally [57] suited for French courtly customs being a stern and somewhat moralistic man. [58] Then, to be sent to England—how difficult that must have been. As the minister on behalf of a once-rebel nation, how could he stand before the Court of King James? Nevertheless, Adams served his [59] post nobly and deserves great recognition for this devoted service to his young nation.
Choose the answer that best explains the purpose of section [53].
To add explicit contrasts with Franklin and Jefferson
NO CHANGE
To indicate how Adams reacted to criticism during his presidency
To provide more backstory regarding Adams's personal life
To add explicit contrasts with Franklin and Jefferson
Since the author contrasts Adams's lack of fame to the actual fame of other American founders, it would be helpful if the author explained why Adams's work was comparable to their work. Perhaps they were far more important than him. Even though the details provided here might explain why Adams did some decently great things, perhaps his accomplishments pale in comparison to the others. By telling us more explicit details in this regard, the passage's argument would be greatly strengthened.
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