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ACT · English · Conventions of Standard English
Usage is part of Conventions of Standard English in the ACT English section. The questions below are written in the style of the real test, each with the answer and a worked explanation.
Question types you will see here include subject-verb agreement across an interrupter, agreement with inverted or compound subjects, agreement with collective and indefinite subjects and pronoun-antecedent agreement.
Common traps: agreeing the verb with the noun inside the intervening phrase; agreeing the verb with the noun right before it in an appositive; treating a plural-looking phrase such as along with as part of a compound subject.
Question 1
In her 1962 book, Rachel Carson warned that pesticides have been harming wildlife.
Which choice is best for the underlined portion? If the original is best, choose NO CHANGE.
NO CHANGE
will be
were
are being
Answer: C. were
The warning was made in the past about conditions at that time, so "were" keeps the tense consistent.
Question 2
The murals in the old train station is being restored last spring by a team of local artists.
Which choice is best for the underlined portion? If the original is best, choose NO CHANGE.
NO CHANGE
has been
was
were
Answer: D. were
The subject is the plural noun "murals"; the event happened last spring, so the plural past-tense verb "were" is correct.
Question 3
The quality of the recordings were improved dramatically after the upgrade.
Which choice is best for the underlined portion? If the original is best, choose NO CHANGE.
NO CHANGE
has
are
have
Answer: B. has
The subject is the singular noun "quality," so "has" is required.
Question 4
The new rules will effort how students sign up for classes.
Which choice is best for the underlined portion? If the original is best, choose NO CHANGE.
NO CHANGE
affect
infect
effect
Answer: B. affect
"Affect" is the verb meaning "to influence"; "effect" is usually a noun.
Question 5
The athlete's recovery was fastest than doctors had predicted.
Which choice is best for the underlined portion? If the original is best, choose NO CHANGE.
NO CHANGE
faster
more fast
more faster
Answer: B. faster
The comparative of "fast" is "faster"; "more faster" is a double comparative.
A few questions show the style. The free scan shows which ACT skills cost you the most points, then builds a plan around them.