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Question 1.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence:
The museum’s newest exhibition, along with several interactive displays, have attracted thousands of visitors since opening in May.

1. have attracted
   2. has attracted
   3. were attracting
   4. attract

Correct Answer: 2

Explanation:

The subject of the sentence is exhibition, which is singular. The phrase “along with several interactive displays” is additional information and does not change the number of the main subject. Therefore, the singular verb phrase has attracted agrees correctly with “exhibition.” Choice 1 incorrectly uses the plural verb “have.” Choice 3 changes the tense and does not fit the sentence’s meaning because the phrase “since opening in May” indicates an action that began in the past and continues to have relevance in the present. Choice 4 also uses a plural verb and does not fit the present-perfect construction suggested by the sentence. On ACT English questions, identify the true grammatical subject before deciding whether the verb should be singular or plural. Interrupting phrases such as “along with,” “in addition to,” and “as well as” do not normally change subject-verb agreement.

Question 2.

Which choice most effectively combines the following sentences without creating redundancy?
Maya trained for the marathon for six months. She practiced by running before sunrise almost every morning.

1. Maya trained for the marathon for six months, practicing by running before sunrise almost every morning.
   2. Maya trained for the marathon for six months, and she trained for it by practicing running in the mornings before sunrise almost every morning.
   3. Maya practiced for six months for the marathon, and the marathon was something she trained for before sunrise.
   4. Training for six months, the marathon was prepared for by Maya before sunrise.

Correct Answer: 1

Explanation:

Choice 1 combines the ideas clearly and efficiently. It communicates both the length of Maya’s training and the fact that she regularly ran before sunrise. Choice 2 is repetitive because it uses “trained,” “training,” and “practicing” in an unnecessarily wordy construction. Choice 3 is awkward and imprecise because it suggests that the marathon itself was something Maya “trained for before sunrise,” rather than clearly stating that her runs occurred then. Choice 4 contains a dangling modifier: “Training for six months” incorrectly appears to modify “the marathon,” even though Maya is the person who trained. ACT English often rewards concise sentences that preserve all essential meaning. When combining sentences, avoid needless repetition, ambiguous modifiers, and passive constructions that make the relationship between ideas less clear.

Question 3.

Choose the best punctuation for the sentence:
The committee considered three locations for the new library ___ downtown, the university district, and Riverside Park.

1. library; downtown
   2. library, downtown
   3. library: downtown
   4. library downtown

Correct Answer: 3

Explanation:

A colon is appropriate because the words before the blank form a complete independent clause: “The committee considered three locations for the new library.” The material after the colon lists those three locations. Choice 3 therefore correctly introduces the list. Choice 1 uses a semicolon, but a semicolon normally joins two independent clauses; “downtown, the university district, and Riverside Park” is not an independent clause. Choice 2 creates a weak comma connection and does not properly signal that a list is about to follow. Choice 4 omits punctuation that would help clarify the sentence. On ACT English, colons are commonly tested as punctuation that introduces a list, explanation, or example after a complete clause. Always check whether the wording before the colon could stand alone as a complete sentence.

Question 4.

Choose the transition that best completes the paragraph:
Solar panels have become less expensive to manufacture over the past decade. Their efficiency has also improved significantly. ___, more homeowners are considering solar energy as a practical alternative to traditional electricity sources.

1. Nevertheless
   2. As a result
   3. For example
   4. In contrast

Correct Answer: 2

Explanation:

The first two sentences describe developments that make solar energy more attractive: lower manufacturing costs and greater efficiency. The third sentence presents a consequence of those developments: more homeowners are considering solar power. Therefore, As a result is the best transition because it clearly expresses cause and effect. “Nevertheless” signals contrast despite previous information, which does not fit. “For example” would introduce a specific illustration rather than a consequence. “In contrast” would signal an opposing idea, but the third sentence supports and follows logically from the first two. ACT English transition questions require attention to the relationship between ideas rather than just the grammatical correctness of the choices. Before selecting a transition, summarize the connection in your own words—cause, contrast, example, continuation, or sequence—and then choose the phrase that matches it.

Question 5.

Which sentence is most appropriate if the writer’s goal is to emphasize the historical significance of the town’s train station?

1. The station has vending machines and several wooden benches.
   2. The station’s parking lot was resurfaced two years ago.
   3. Built in 1887, the station served as the region’s principal transportation hub for nearly half a century.
   4. Many commuters now check train schedules on their phones.

Correct Answer: 3

Explanation:

Choice 3 directly supports the goal of emphasizing historical significance. It provides a construction date and explains the station’s important regional role for nearly fifty years. Those details establish both age and historical importance. Choice 1 describes present physical features but says nothing about historical significance. Choice 2 discusses recent maintenance. Choice 4 focuses on modern commuter behavior rather than the station’s past. ACT English rhetorical-skills questions often ask which sentence best accomplishes a stated purpose. In those questions, do not choose merely because a sentence is grammatically correct or interesting. Compare each option to the writer’s specific goal. Here, the strongest answer is the one that provides meaningful historical evidence, making Choice 3 the clear selection.

Question 6.

If 3x+7=25, what is the value of x?

1. 4
   2. 6
   3. 8
   4. 10

Correct Answer: 2

Explanation:

Start with the equation 3x+7=25. Subtract 7 from both sides to isolate the term containing x: 3x=18. Then divide both sides by 3, giving x=6. Therefore, Choice 2 is correct. A useful ACT Math habit is to perform the same operation on both sides of an equation and work systematically toward isolating the variable. You can also verify the result by substitution: 3(6)+7=18+7=25, which matches the original equation. Choice 1 would give 19, Choice 3 would give 31, and Choice 4 would give 37. Checking an answer by substitution is particularly useful when the arithmetic is simple and can quickly confirm that no sign or calculation error occurred.

Question 7.

A jacket originally priced at $80 is discounted by 25%. What is the sale price?

1. $20
   2. $55
   3. $60
   4. $65

Correct Answer: 3

Explanation:

A 25% discount means the customer pays 75% of the original price. One method is to calculate the discount first: 0.2580=20. Subtract the $20 discount from the original price: 80-20=60. Therefore, the sale price is $60, Choice 3. You could also calculate 0.7580=60 directly. Choice 1 represents the amount of the discount rather than the final price. Choice 2 and Choice 4 do not correspond to a 25% reduction. Percentage questions on the ACT often test whether students distinguish between the amount changed and the final amount. Carefully identify whether the question asks for the discount, increase, remaining amount, or final price before selecting an answer.

Question 8.

A right triangle has legs of length 9 and 12. What is the length of the hypotenuse?

1. 15
   2. 18
   3. 21
   4. 25

Correct Answer: 1

Explanation:

For a right triangle, use the Pythagorean theorem: a2+b2=c2, where c is the hypotenuse. Substitute the leg lengths: 92+122=c2. This gives 81+144=225, so c2=225. Taking the positive square root gives c=15. Therefore, Choice 1 is correct. This triangle is also a scaled version of the common 3-4-5 right triangle, multiplied by 3. Recognizing common Pythagorean triples can save time on the ACT, but the theorem itself will always work. Remember that the hypotenuse is the side opposite the right angle and is always the longest side, which also helps eliminate obviously unreasonable choices.

Question 9.

The average of five numbers is 18. If four of the numbers are 12, 17, 21, and 25, what is the fifth number?

1. 10
   2. 15
   3. 18
   4. 20

Correct Answer: 2

Explanation:

If the average of five numbers is 18, their total sum must be 518=90. Add the four known numbers: 12+17+21+25=75. Subtract this from the required total: 90-75=15. Therefore, the fifth number is 15, Choice 2. The key relationship is average = sum ÷ number of values. When ACT Math gives an average and asks for a missing value, it is often faster to first convert the average into a total sum. Then subtract the known values. Choice 3 may seem tempting because 18 is the average, but not every individual value must equal the average. Always distinguish between the mean of a set and the value of any one member.

Question 10.

A circle has a radius of 5 units. What is its area?

1. 10
   2. 20
   3. 25
   4. 50

Correct Answer: 3

Explanation:

The area of a circle is given by the formula A=r2. With radius r=5, substitute to get A=(52)=25. Therefore, Choice 3 is correct. Choice 1 may result from multiplying 25, which relates to part of the circumference formula rather than area. Choice 4 could result from incorrectly multiplying 2r2. On ACT Math, carefully distinguish between the formulas for area and circumference. Area is r2, while circumference is 2r. It can also help to think about units: because area measures a two-dimensional region, the answer should be expressed in square units, whereas circumference is measured in linear units.

Question 11.

Read the passage and answer the question.

Passage:
When Elena first volunteered at the community garden, she assumed her work would consist mostly of watering plants and pulling weeds. Instead, the garden coordinator asked her to help organize a Saturday workshop for neighborhood children. Elena hesitated because she had never taught a group before. During the workshop, however, she showed the children how to plant bean seeds and explained why worms improve soil. By the end of the morning, several children were eagerly comparing the seedlings they planned to grow at home. Elena left the garden tired but surprised by how much she had enjoyed teaching.

Which statement best describes Elena’s change in perspective?

1. She becomes disappointed because gardening involves more teaching than planting.
   2. She begins uncertain about teaching but discovers that she enjoys it.
   3. She decides that children should not participate in gardening.
   4. She concludes that watering plants is more difficult than teaching.

Correct Answer: 2

Explanation:

At the beginning of the passage, Elena expects ordinary gardening work and hesitates when asked to lead a workshop because she has never taught a group. By the end, however, she is “surprised by how much she had enjoyed teaching.” This clearly shows a shift from uncertainty to enjoyment, making Choice 2 correct. Choice 1 reverses the passage’s conclusion; Elena is pleasantly surprised, not disappointed. Choice 3 contradicts the children’s successful involvement. Choice 4 compares watering and teaching in a way the passage never does. ACT Reading questions about character development require attention to how attitudes or expectations change from the beginning to the end. Look for explicit words indicating emotion or viewpoint, such as “hesitated,” “surprised,” and “enjoyed,” and use them to support the answer.

Question 12.

Based on the passage in Question 11, why does the author mention that the children were “eagerly comparing the seedlings they planned to grow at home”?

1. To show that the workshop successfully inspired the children
   2. To suggest that the children disliked the garden
   3. To prove that Elena was an experienced teacher
   4. To show that the coordinator had canceled the workshop

Correct Answer: 1

Explanation:

The children’s excitement about growing seedlings at home demonstrates that the workshop had a positive effect. They were not merely listening passively; they were motivated to continue gardening after the event. This supports Choice 1. Choice 2 directly contradicts the children’s enthusiasm. Choice 3 is unsupported because the passage explicitly states that Elena had never taught a group before. Choice 4 is impossible because the workshop clearly took place. ACT Reading often asks why an author includes a particular detail. The correct answer usually explains how that detail contributes to the passage’s larger idea, tone, or character development. Here, the children’s enthusiasm reinforces both the success of the workshop and Elena’s realization that teaching can be rewarding.

Question 13.

Read the passage and answer the question.

Passage:
For decades, city planners treated urban trees primarily as decorative features. Recent research, however, has emphasized their practical value. Tree canopies can lower surface temperatures by providing shade, reduce storm-water runoff, and improve air quality. Some cities are therefore mapping neighborhoods with limited tree cover and directing new planting efforts toward those areas. The goal is not simply to make streets more attractive but also to address environmental conditions that affect residents’ daily lives.

What is the main idea of the passage?

1. Urban trees are expensive decorations that cities should avoid.
   2. City planners are replacing trees with artificial shade structures.
   3. Urban trees are increasingly valued for environmental and practical benefits.
   4. Storm-water runoff is the only reason cities plant trees.

Correct Answer: 3

Explanation:

The passage contrasts an older view of urban trees as primarily decorative with a newer understanding of their practical environmental benefits. It mentions lower temperatures, reduced storm-water runoff, improved air quality, and targeted planting in areas with limited tree cover. Choice 3 captures this broad central idea. Choice 1 contradicts the positive emphasis of the passage. Choice 2 is not mentioned. Choice 4 is too narrow because runoff is only one of several benefits. Main-idea questions on ACT Reading require an answer that is broad enough to encompass most of the passage but specific enough to reflect its actual focus. Avoid choices that rely on only one supporting detail when the passage clearly develops a broader argument.

Question 14.

In the passage from Question 13, the word “therefore” most nearly signals which relationship between ideas?

1. Cause and effect
   2. Contrast
   3. Chronological sequence only
   4. Uncertainty

Correct Answer: 1

Explanation:

The passage explains several practical benefits of urban trees and then says that some cities are therefore mapping areas with limited tree cover and directing planting there. The word “therefore” signals that the city actions are a consequence of the research and recognized benefits. This is a cause-and-effect relationship, so Choice 1 is correct. Contrast would typically be indicated by words such as “however” or “although.” Chronological sequence might use “then” or “later.” Nothing about “therefore” signals uncertainty. On ACT Reading, transition words can reveal the logical structure of a passage. Recognizing words such as “therefore,” “however,” “for example,” and “similarly” can help identify how one sentence relates to the previous one.

Question 15.

Which inference is best supported by the passage in Question 13?

1. Every neighborhood currently has the same amount of tree cover.
   2. Some cities believe environmental benefits should influence where trees are planted.
   3. Urban trees have no effect on temperature.
   4. City planners no longer care whether streets are attractive.

Correct Answer: 2

Explanation:

The passage states that some cities map neighborhoods with limited tree cover and direct new planting efforts toward those areas. This supports the inference that planners are considering environmental conditions and benefits when deciding where trees should be planted. Therefore, Choice 2 is correct. Choice 1 contradicts the fact that cities are identifying neighborhoods with limited tree cover. Choice 3 directly contradicts the statement that tree canopies lower surface temperatures. Choice 4 goes too far; the passage says the goal is “not simply” appearance, meaning attractiveness may still matter, but it is not the only consideration. ACT inference questions require selecting the answer that can be reasonably concluded from the passage without adding unsupported assumptions.

Question 16.

A student tested whether water temperature affected how quickly a sugar cube dissolved. The student placed identical sugar cubes into three cups containing equal amounts of water. The temperatures were 10°C, 25°C, and 50°C. The student stirred each cup at the same rate and recorded the time needed for the cube to dissolve. What is the independent variable in this experiment?

1. Water temperature
   2. Amount of water
   3. Size of the sugar cube
   4. Dissolving time

Correct Answer: 1

Explanation:

The independent variable is the factor deliberately changed by the experimenter. In this experiment, the student changes the water temperature among the three trials: 10°C, 25°C, and 50°C. Therefore, Choice 1 is correct. The amount of water and size of the sugar cube are held constant, making them controlled variables. Dissolving time is the dependent variable because it is measured as the outcome of changing the water temperature. ACT Science questions often test experimental design vocabulary. A useful rule is: the independent variable is what the researcher changes, while the dependent variable is what the researcher measures. Controls are conditions kept the same so the effect of the independent variable can be isolated.

Question 17.

In the experiment from Question 16, why did the student use identical sugar cubes and equal amounts of water?

1. To ensure that temperature was the main factor differing among the trials
   2. To make the water reach the same temperature
   3. To increase the number of independent variables
   4. To prevent the sugar from dissolving

Correct Answer: 1

Explanation:

Using identical sugar cubes and equal amounts of water controls variables that could otherwise influence dissolving time. If one cup had a larger sugar cube or more water, differences in dissolving time might be caused by those factors rather than temperature. By holding these conditions constant, the student makes temperature the main factor that differs across trials. That allows a clearer test of the relationship between temperature and dissolving rate. Choice 2 is incorrect because the experiment intentionally uses different temperatures. Choice 3 is the opposite of good experimental design; researchers generally try to isolate one independent variable. Choice 4 is also incorrect because the experiment depends on observing dissolution. ACT Science frequently tests why variables are controlled and how experiments isolate cause-and-effect relationships.

Question 18.

A plant-growth experiment produced the following results after 4 weeks:

0 hours of added light: 6 cm average growth
2 hours of added light: 9 cm average growth
4 hours of added light: 13 cm average growth
6 hours of added light: 14 cm average growth

Which conclusion is best supported by the data?

1. Added light was associated with greater average growth, although the increase became smaller at the highest level tested.
   2. Plants receiving no added light grew the most.
   3. Plant growth decreased steadily as added light increased.
   4. Six hours of added light caused plants to grow exactly twice as much as four hours.

Correct Answer: 1

Explanation:

Average growth increases from 6 cm with no added light to 9 cm, 13 cm, and then 14 cm as additional light increases. This supports the conclusion that more added light was associated with greater growth over the tested range. However, the increase from 4 to 6 hours is only 1 cm, smaller than the increases at earlier levels, so Choice 1 accurately describes the pattern. Choice 2 contradicts the data. Choice 3 reverses the observed trend. Choice 4 is mathematically false because 14 cm is not twice 13 cm. ACT Science data questions require careful reading of numerical trends. Choose an answer that accurately describes the evidence without claiming more than the experiment demonstrates.

Question 19.

Two scientists disagree about why a bird species has begun nesting farther north. Scientist 1 argues that warmer spring temperatures allow the birds to find food earlier in northern regions. Scientist 2 argues that increasing development in southern nesting areas is pushing the birds north. What evidence would most directly support Scientist 1’s explanation?

1. Records showing that northern spring temperatures have risen and food becomes available earlier in the season
   2. A map showing new highways in southern regions
   3. Data showing that the total bird population has remained constant
   4. Evidence that the birds have the same feather color in both regions

Correct Answer: 1

Explanation:

Scientist 1 specifically proposes that warmer northern springs make food available earlier, allowing the birds to nest farther north. Therefore, evidence showing both rising northern spring temperatures and earlier food availability directly supports that explanation. Choice 2 would more directly support Scientist 2’s development hypothesis. Choice 3 does not distinguish between the two explanations because population stability does not identify why nesting locations changed. Choice 4 is irrelevant to the proposed causes. ACT Science conflicting-viewpoints questions often ask which evidence supports or weakens one scientist’s explanation. Focus on the exact mechanism proposed. The strongest evidence is the one that directly connects to the variables and causal relationship mentioned by that scientist.

Question 20.

A researcher found that seedlings grown with fertilizer averaged 18 cm in height, while seedlings grown without fertilizer averaged 12 cm. Before concluding that the fertilizer caused the difference, which additional information would be most important?

1. Whether the two groups were grown under otherwise similar conditions
   2. Whether the fertilizer container was green or blue
   3. Whether the researcher preferred taller plants
   4. Whether the seedlings were measured with a ruler marked in centimeters

Correct Answer: 1

Explanation:

To conclude that fertilizer caused the difference in growth, the researcher must know whether other important conditions were controlled. The groups should ideally receive similar amounts of light, water, soil, space, and other environmental factors so fertilizer is the principal variable that differs. If the fertilized group also received more light, for example, the growth difference could not confidently be attributed to fertilizer. Therefore, Choice 1 is correct. The color of the fertilizer container and the researcher’s preference have no direct effect on plant growth. Choice 4 confirms a measurement method but does not address potential confounding variables. ACT Science often tests whether an experimental conclusion is justified. A causal claim is strongest when competing explanations have been minimized through controlled conditions, appropriate comparison groups, and consistent measurement procedures.