All ACT English Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #7 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
Select the answer that produces the most effective sentence, one that is clear and exact, without awkwardness or ambiguity.
No one understand me like my dog Harry, he always is sad when I leave.
my dog Harry, he always is sad when I leave.
my dog Harry, when left is always sad.
my dog Harry: he is always sad when I leave.
my dog Harry. Who always is sad when I leave.
my dog Harry, having been always sad when I leave.
my dog Harry: he is always sad when I leave.
Two complete phrases should not be separated by a comma: instead a semi-colon, colon, or period should be used. Choose the answer which separates the phrases and otherwise makes grammatical sense.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Comma Splices
Mountain climbing is not an activity to be taken lightly, many people get injured every year while climbing.
to be taken lightly many people
to be taken lightly, as many people
to be taken lightly, many people
being taken lightly, many people
being taken lightly, too many people
to be taken lightly, as many people
The sentence is compound, meaning it is composed of two complete sentences joined together for effect. Compound sentences, though, must be joined by either a semicolon or a comma and a conjunction. Using "as" for its conjunction, "to be taken lightly, as many people" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #8 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
The books were kept in terrible shape, none of them could be read all the through.
in terrible shape none of them
in terrible shape to none of them
in terrible shape, and none of them
in terrible shape as none of them
in terrible shape, none of them
in terrible shape, and none of them
This sentence is a compound sentence, a sentence that joins two complete thoughts to demonstrate their relationship. All compound sentences must be joined together either by a semicolon or a comma and a conjunction. Of the answer choice, only "in terrible shape, and none of them" appropriately joins the two parts.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
The exterminator bragged about his new method for controlling rats, the method improved on its precedents by being done more quickly.
The exterminator bragged about his new method for controlling rats in the method improved on its precedents by being done more quickly.
The exterminator bragged about his new method for controlling rats, the method improved on its precedents by being done more quickly.
The exterminator bragged about his new method for controlling rats: the method improved on its precedents by being done more quickly.
The exterminator bragged about his new method for controlling rats; the method improved on its precedents by being done more quickly.
The exterminator bragged about his new method for controlling rats the method improved on its precedents by being done more quickly.
The exterminator bragged about his new method for controlling rats; the method improved on its precedents by being done more quickly.
The sentence is a compound sentence, featuring two complete, but intimately related, thoughts as one sentence. To properly connect the two parts, either a semicolon or a comma and a conjunction need to be used between the sections. Therefore, the correct answer is "The exterminator bragged about his new method for controlling rats; the method improved on its precedents by being done more quickly."
Example Question #11 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
The coins thrown in the fountain would pile up at the end of the day, an employee had to clear them out after closing time.
The coins thrown in the fountain would pile up at the end of the day so an employee had to clear them out after closing time.
The coins thrown in the fountain would pile up at the end of the day; an employee had to clear them out after closing time.
The coins thrown in the fountain would pile up at the end of the day for an employee had to clear them out after closing time.
The coins thrown in the fountain would pile up at the end of the day, an employee had to clear them out after closing time.
The coins thrown in the fountain would pile up at the end of the day: an employee had to clear them out after closing time.
The coins thrown in the fountain would pile up at the end of the day; an employee had to clear them out after closing time.
The sentence is a compound sentence, or two related complete sentences that are put together in one sentence to show their relationship. To be grammatically correct, the two parts must be joined either by semicolon or a comma and a conjunction. The only answer choice to do either is "The coins thrown in the fountain would pile up at the end of the day; an employee had to clear them out after closing time."
Example Question #12 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The businesses had gathered together in a new organization, the goal of the new group was to provide a forum for concerns from the businesses' CEOs.
The businesses had gathered together in a new organization the goal of the new group was to provide a forum for concerns from the businesses' CEOs.
The businesses had gathered together in a new organization so the goal of the new group was to provide a forum for concerns from the businesses' CEOs.
The businesses had gathered together in a new organization, the goal of the new group was to provide a forum for concerns from the businesses' CEOs.
The businesses had gathered together in a new organization; the goal of the new group was to provide a forum for concerns from the businesses' CEOs.
The businesses had gathered together in a new organization and the goal of the new group was to provide a forum for concerns from the businesses' CEOs.
The businesses had gathered together in a new organization; the goal of the new group was to provide a forum for concerns from the businesses' CEOs.
The sentence is written as a compound sentence, or two complete thoughts joined together to show their relationship. All compound sentences need to be joined by either a semicolon or a comma and a conjunction. The only answer choice that appropriately does either is "The businesses had gathered together in a new organization; the goal of the new group was to provide a forum for concerns from the businesses' CEOs."
Example Question #13 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The fugitive famously slipped away in the middle of the night, he was never seen again.
The fugitive famously slipped away in the middle of the night and so he was never seen again.
The fugitive famously slipped away in the middle of the night he was never seen again.
The fugitive famously slipped away in the middle of the night; he was never seen again.
The fugitive famously slipped away in the middle of the night, he was never seen again.
The fugitive famously slipped away in the middle of the night, was never seen again.
The fugitive famously slipped away in the middle of the night; he was never seen again.
The sentence is written as a compound sentence, but instead of having its two parts appropriately linked, the sentence has a comma splice in the middle of its two components. All compound sentences must be linked either by a semicolon or by a comma and a conjunction. So, the correct answer is "The fugitive famously slipped away in the middle of the night; he was never seen again."
Example Question #14 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The scholar had a long held fascination with ancient funereal practices, his interest was first piqued by seeing an Egyptian mummy as a child.
ancient funereal practices, interest
ancient funereal practices; his interest
ancient funereal practices and his interest
ancient funereal practices his interest
ancient funereal practices, his interest
ancient funereal practices; his interest
This sentence is a compound sentence, one with two complete thoughts joined together to show their relationship. This compound sentence can only be joined by a semicolon or a comma and a conjunction. The only answer chhoice that does this is "ancient funereal practices; his interest.'
Example Question #15 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The scientists worked long hours to find the solution to the problem, their work was introduced to a wider audience after conducting research for five years.
the solution to the problem so their work was
the solution to the problem, their work was
the solution to the problem their work was
the solution to the problem; their work was
the solution to the problem and their work was
the solution to the problem; their work was
The sentence as it is written contains a comma splice, where a comma is inappropriately used to combine two independent clauses into a compound sentence. One can join two independent clauses into a compound sentence with either a comma followed by a conjunction, or a semicolon. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "the solution to the problem; their work was."
Example Question #16 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Running is a great exercise almost any person can do regularly, many runners see improvements in their health after running for just one week.
can do regularly as many runners see
can do regularly many runners see
can do regularly but many runners see
can do regularly; many runners see
can do regularly, many runners see
can do regularly; many runners see
The sentence is written as compound sentence, a sentence with two independent clauses that are joined to show their relationship. A compound sentence must have its two parts joined either by a semicolon or a comma followed by a conjunction. The only answer choice that appropriately joins the two parts is "can do regularly; many runners see," making it the correct answer.