ACT Bellringer Passage 5 Section 3

When I got to my new room, I introduced myself to my new roommate Paolo, a Brazilian the same age as I, whom I was surprised to find playing one of my favorite CDs on the stereo. In just a few hours, we knew we’d be attached at the hip for the rest of the term.

Given that all the choices are true, which one provides the most relevant information with regard to the narrator’s friendship with Paolo?

• A. NO CHANGE

• B. He hadn’t heard of a lot of my CDs, though.

• C. We didn’t have a lot of classes together, but at least we liked the same music.

• D. I didn’t speak Portuguese, so it took some time to start to understand each other.

Answer explanation

The best answer is A. The essay maintains a positive, uplifting tone with regard to the speaker’s friendship with Paolo. The other answer choices do not match the tone of the essay.

I left France with many stories, so when people ask me what my favorite part of the trip was, they are always surprised to hear me talk, about my Brazilian friend Paolo, and the scores of weekdays in class, weeknights on the town, and weekends exploring France we enjoyed together.

Which option correctly completes the sentence?

• F. NO CHANGE

• G. talk about my Brazilian friend Paolo

• H. talk about my Brazilian friend, Paolo

• J. talk, about my Brazilian friend Paolo,

Answer explanation

The best answer is G. The word talk takes a prepositional object starting with about; you cannot divide the phrase with a comma. Answer choice H is incorrect because modifiers like “my Brazilian friend” that come before proper names do not need a comma.

I love people, how they end up being so similar, but are so different. Reflect on this statement and discuss its implications in the context of personal relationships.

• A. NO CHANGE

• B. I love how people seem so different and are so similar.

• C. People seem so different, so I love how they end up being so similar.

• D. I love how people can seem so different, but end up being so similar.

Answer explanation

The best answer is D. The sentence is used to describe a faulty or incomplete first impression, then uses but to introduce a revision to it. Such clauses introduced by a subordinating conjunction are offset from the first clause of the sentence with a comma.

The most valuable lesson I gained from studying in France wasn’t just to respect the French people but to respect all people, for your next best friend could be just a continent away. Which of the choices would be most appropriate here?

• F. NO CHANGE

• G. enjoyable

• H. fun

• J. supportive

Answer explanation

The best answer is F. The speaker is summarizing his trip into one important lesson. Answer choices G and H do not represent how meaningful the lesson is to the speaker and answer choice J is awkward as a modifier of lesson.

I love people, how they end up being so similar, but are so different. The most valuable lesson I gained from studying in France wasn’t just to respect the French people but to respect all people, for your next best friend could be just a continent away. (**)

Which of the following sentences, if inserted here (**), would best conclude the essay as well as maintain the positive tone established earlier in the essay?

• A. France is an interesting place once you grasp the language

• B. I would recommend an exchange program to anyone who wants to experience foreign cultures

• C. High school is going to be quite boring now, especially since my new friend Paolo won’t be there

• D. It will be nice to graduate at the end of this year

Answer explanation

The best answer is B. The essay describes an enjoyable friendship between people of two different nationalities that begins in the context of a foreign culture. Answer choices A and C have a negative tone that does not match the rest of the essay. Answer choice D can be eliminated because it is not relevant to the passage.