ACT Practice 87-96

I never dreamed it would turn out: like this, all my plans have come to nothing.

• NO CHANGE

• out like this, all my plans,

• out like this; all my plans

• out-like this-all my plans

Answer explanation

out like this; all my plans is correct because this choice presents two independent clauses correctly separated by a semicolon. No other punctuation is necessary in the sentence.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2A

I was optimistic about things in July but in August, the hammer fell.

• NO CHANGE

• things in July, in August

• things in July, but in August;

• things in July; in August

Answer explanation

things in July; in August is correct because two independent clauses are correctly separated with a semicolon. The second of the two clauses begins with the introductory prepositional phrase in August, which is not followed by a comma.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2A

The pert pretty, girls asked me for directions.

• NO CHANGE

• pert, pretty

• pert, pretty,

• pert pretty

Answer explanation

pert, pretty is correct because two adjectives in a series are separated by a comma.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.2C

CCSS.L.5.2A

CCSS.L.7.2A

Near the town of Waterloo Belgium English Prussian and French armies prepared for the final battle.

• NO CHANGE

• Waterloo Belgium, English Prussian

• Waterloo, Belgium English, Prussian

• Waterloo, Belgium, English, Prussian

Answer explanation

The last choice is correct because this tricky sentence places a city and country immediately before a series of items in a list. Commas are necessary after the city and country in waterloo, Belgium. More commas are necessary to separate the listed items in English, Prussian, and French armies. (The Oxford comma after Prussian is optional. However, the other answer choices are wrong for other reasons.)

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

It was a crisp November night yet no wind blew.

• NO CHANGE

• night yet;

• night, yet

• night; yet

Answer explanation

night, yet is correct because this choice presents two independent clauses correctly joined by a comma plus conjunction. Although it is not as common as some others, yet can act as a conjunction.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2A

Regardless, of whether my team does well I am proud of it.

• NO CHANGE

• Regardless of whether my team, does well

• Regardless of whether my team does, well

• Regardless of whether my team does well,

Answer explanation

The last choice is correct because the independent clause, I am proud of it, and the dependent clause, regardless of whether my team does well, are appropriately separated by a comma.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

I feel that, and-don't argue with me, Bryant-jazz drummers are better than rock drummers.

• NO CHANGE

• feel-that, and don't argue with me, Bryant

• feel that-and don't argue with me, Bryant

• feel that, and don't argue with me-Bryant

Answer explanation

The third choice is correct because in this sentence, a pair of dashes set off the words that can be removed and leave the others to function as a complete sentence. The main sentence is I feel that jazz drummers are better than rock drummers. The speaker interrupts herself to say and don't argue with me, Bryant. The fact is that these six words can be removed to leave a complete sentence.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.1G

CCSS.L.3.1H

CCSS.L.5.1A

CCSS.L.5.1E

Some of the giraffes though I can't imagine why began to dance.

• NO CHANGE

• giraffes, though, I can't imagine why

• giraffes, though I can't imagine why,

• giraffes though, I can't imagine, why

Answer explanation

The third choice is correct because the main sentence is Some of the giraffes began to dance. It is interrupted by the lift out though I can't imagine why, which is properly set off with a pair of commas.

Tags

CCSS.L.2.1E

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.3.1G

What I don't understand, though, is why the robot was evil in the first place.

• NO CHANGE

• understand, though the

• understand, although, is why the

• understand, although the

Answer explanation

NO CHANGE is correct because this sentence correctly presents a single independent clause with the lift-out conjunction though in the middle, set off by a pair of commas. Though is a versatile word that can be used in a few different ways. TIP: In this sentence (and often on the ACT English), though works the same way as however.

Tags

CCSS.L.2.1E

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.3.1G

Andrew, the best player our school has ever seen, eventually turned pro.

• NO CHANGE

• Andrew was the best player our school has ever seen,

• Andrew, the best player our school has ever seen, and

• Andrew was the best player our school has ever seen, who

Answer explanation

NO CHANGE is correct because the main sentence is Andrew eventually turned pro. It is interrupted by the lift-out appositive clause the best player our school has ever seen, which is set off with a pair of commas.

Tags

CCSS.RF.3.3B

CCSS.RF.3.3C

CCSS.RF.3.3D

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A