ACT English : CSE : (USG) Usage

For the duration of deer season, packs of hunters venture forth into the wild to stake out its favorite places to spot the animals.

• F. NO CHANGE

• G. his or her 

• H. there

• J. their

Answer explanation

Choices F and G are incorrect because both use singular pronouns with the plural antecedent hunters. Choice H is incorrect because there is a location word, but a pronoun is needed. Choice J is correct because their is the proper plural pronoun for the plural antecedent hunters.

To make sure she wasn’t being cheated, Margaret White had the emerald ring examined by expert jewelers, however, they found no evidence of fraud.

• A. NO CHANGE

• B. they

• C. which 

• D. who

Answer explanation

Choices A and B are incorrect because stronger punctuation is needed to join the two independent clauses. Choice C is incorrect because which applies to groups or things, not people. Choice D is correct because who appropriately refers to the jewelers and does not create a second independent clause.

Even in this age of instant communication, there is still a feeling of excitement at checking your mailbox and finding a handwritten letter. 

• A. NO CHANGE

• B. but there 

• C. they’re 

• D. their 

Answer explanation

Choice B is incorrect because the conjunction but cannot be used in this way to join a complete sentence to an introductory phrase. Choice C is incorrect because they’re is a contraction of they are, which does not make sense within the sentence. Choice D is incorrect because the possessive their does not fit in the sentence. Choice A is the best option because it uses the correct form of there. 

Mr. Asano, whose talented at karate, kicked the thief into the wall.

• F. NO CHANGE

• G. whose talented in

• H. who’s talented in

• J. who’s talented of

Answer explanation

Choices F and G are incorrect because the possessive pronoun whose does not have an object. Choice J is incorrect because the phrase talented of karate is awkward. Choice H is correct because who’s is a contraction for who is, and the phrase talented in karate is clear and understandable.

As the musicians played on, they were all aware that it’s motions and energy fused to create a piece of art within their thirty-minute set. 

• F. NO CHANGE 

• G. they’re 

• H. its 

• J. their 

Answer explanation

Choice F is incorrect because it’s is a contraction that means it is and does not make sense in the context of the sentence. Likewise, choice G misuses the contraction they’re, meaning they are. Choice H is incorrect because the possessive form its does not agree in number with the antecedent musicians. Choice J is the correct option because their is possessive and agrees with the antecedent musicians. 

For the farm workers living in seasonal housing, the distance among the fields and the town is more than just a numerical value. 

• F. NO CHANGE 

• G. from  

• H. between 

• J. by 

Answer explanation

Choice F is incorrect because the word among does not convey distance. Choices G and J are incorrect because from and by do not correctly correspond with the conjunction and. Choice H is correct because between corresponds correctly with the conjunction and. 

The database is overwhelming, with a breadth and level of detail that makes it seem impenetrable to anyone who lacks familiarity of it. 

• A. NO CHANGE

• B. to

• C. from

• D. with

Answer explanation

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because these prepositions do not correctly correspond to the word familiarity. Choice D is correct because the preposition with corresponds correctly to the word familiarity. 

Just this morning I sat across the table to a woman in a flower print dress who was scribbling poetry in her leather-bound journal. 

• F. NO CHANGE

• G. at 

• H. between 

• J. from 

Answer explanation

Choices F, G, and H are incorrect because the constructions across to, across at, and across between are not idiomatically correct. Choice J is correct because across from is common, idiomatic usage. 

In the predawn light of an early summer morning, he walked swiftly with his dog down to the dock on the east side of town.  

• A. NO CHANGE

• B. with

• C. from

• D. on

Answer explanation

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because these prepositions do not indicate place or time. Choice A is correct because the preposition In introduces the time conveyed in the opening phrase. 

In 1913, the year he introduced moving assembly belts into his manufacturing plants, Henry Ford had a brilliant plan about the division of labor. 

• A. NO CHANGE

• B. for 

• C. to 

• D. of 

Answer explanation

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because these prepositions do not correctly convey the fact that Ford had plans that would affect the current division of labor. Choice B is correct because the preposition for indicates that Ford had plans that would affect this department.