Below are answer explanations to the full-length English test of the previously released ACT from the 2021-2022 “Preparing for the ACT Test” (form 2176CPRE) free study guide available here for free PDF download.

The ACT English test explained below begins on page 10 of the guide (12 of the PDF). Other answer explanations in this series of articles:

When you’re finished reviewing this official practice ACT test, start practicing with our own 10 full-length practice ACT tests.

ACT Practice Test English Answer Explanations 2021-2022

  1. Question 1, “students, Norman Woodland and Bernard Silver”. The correct answer is “students Norman Woodland and Bernard Silver”.
    1. The correct answer is “students Norman Woodland and Bernard Silver” because the absence of a comma in the underlined portion allows the sentence to flow smoothly, and the missing comma does not create an unnecessary pause between “graduate students” and “Norman Woodland”.
    2. This question falls under the category of conventions of standard English. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of the punctuation “commas”.
    3. The answer choice, “NO CHANGE” is not correct because the way it stands there are too many commas indicating pauses in the flow of the sentence.
    4. The answer choice, “students, Norman Woodland and Bernard Silver” is not correct because this would indicate a pause between “students” and “Norman”. This is not correct because the graduate students describes Norman Woodland and Bernard Silver.
    5. The answer choice “students Norman Woodland and Bernard Silver,” is not correct because this would create a pause between the subject and verb of a sentence which is an unnecessary and incorrect pause.
  2. Question 2, “however,”. The correct answer is “DELETE the underlined portion”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically, it tests your ability to understand additions and subtractions in the context of sentence structure and understand the use of transition words and phrases.
    2. The phrase “Inspired by the dots and dashes of Morse code” describes “Woodland and Silver”. Having a word between the description and the subject would only serve to complicate the sentence.
    3. Hence, the correct answer is J, “DELETE the underlined portion” because this would serve to clear up the sentence.
  3. Question 3, “distances from each”. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Knowledge of Language. More specifically, it tests your ability to understand word choice.
    2. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE” because this would indicate that the “four white lines” are at specific “distances from each other”. This is correct because distance is an amount of space between two things.
    3. The answer choice “distances so that each was separated, one from the” is not correct because it is not concise and is confusingly verbose.
    4. The answer choice “locations, each one set apart from the” is not correct because “location” means a particular place. The bar code was composed of lines set with specific distances between each other not set at a specific location.
    5. The answer choice “lengths of distance from each” is not correct because “lengths of distances” is verbose and unnecessary.
  4. Question 4, “The writer is considering deleting the preceding sentence…”. The correct answer is “Kept, because it begins the description that is completed in the sentence that follows”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically this question tests your understanding of additions and subtractions.
    2. The correct answer is “Kept, because it begins the description that is completed in the sentence that follows” because the following sentence describes the three remaining sentences” the framework for which begins in the preceding sentence.
    3. The answer choice “kept, because it gives a clear image of what the first bar code looked like” is not correct because it does not describe how the bar code looks.
    4. The answer choice H and J are not correct because the preceding sentence should not be deleted.
  5. Question 5, “susceptible”. The correct answer is “possible”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Knowledge of Language. More specifically this question tests your understanding of word choice.
    2. The correct answer is “possible” because the sentence describes how 7 different arrangements could be made. The most apt word in this situation is possible.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct, because susceptible means likely to be influenced or harmed.
    4. The answer choice “responsible” is not correct, because responsible means having an obligation to do something.
    5. The answer choice “capable” is not correct because capable means having the capacity to do something.
  6. Question 6, “making”. The correct answer is “make”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Conventions of Standard English. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of subject/verb agreement.
    2. The correct answer is “make” because in this sentence, the subject of the sentences is the word “lines” which is a plural word.
    3. The answer choice “which make” is not correct because it is unnecessarily verbose.
    4. The answer choice “to make” is not correct because that would result in the sentence not having a primary verb.
    5. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because “making” is used for a singular subject.
  7. Question 7, “concoction”. The correct answer is “contraption”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Knowledge of Language. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of word choice.
    2. The correct answer is “contraption” because the word contraption means a machine or device.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because “concoction” is a mixture of various ingredients.
    4. The answer choice “substance” is not correct because substance is a particular kind of matter with uniform properties.
    5. The answer choice “stuff” is not correct because stuff refers to matter or activities that are being referred to. It is a vague term.
  8. Question 8, “For example,”. The correct answer is “As a result,”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of transition words and phrases.
    2. The correct answer is “As a result” because it indicates that the sentence that follows happened as a consequence of the previous sentence.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because it indicates that the sentence that follows is an example of the previous sentence which is not true.
    4. The answer choice “However” is not correct because it indicates that the sentence that follows contradicts the information of the previous sentence.
    5. The answer choice “Even so” is not correct because it indicates that the sentence that follows happened despite the previous sentence.
  9. Question 9, “it”. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Conventions of Standard English. More specifically this question tests your understanding of pronouns.
    2. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE” because it refers to the light that the black lines absorb.
    3. The answer choice “them” is not correct because the light is singular.
    4. The answer choice “ones” is not correct because it is not a singular term that can be used as a pronoun.
    5. The answer choice “one” is not correct because this term indicates one of many.
  10. Question 10, “Which of the following true statements, if added here…”. The correct answer is “Bar codes themselves have advanced as well”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of additions and subtractions.
    2. The correct answer is “bar codes themselves have advanced as well” because the new subject of the paragraph is how bar codes have advanced and are currently used.
    3. The answer choice “In the 1940s, Woodland and Silver were graduate students at the Drexel institute of Technology in Philadelphia” is not correct because the following paragraph does not talk about these students.
    4. The answer choice “Woodland and Silver were granted a patent for their bar code on October 7, 1952” is not correct because the following paragraph does not talk about the patent on the bar code.
    5. The answer choice “bar code equipment has been available for retail use since 1970” is not correct because the following paragraph does not talk about the retail use of bar code equipment.
  11. Question 11, “being that there are”. The correct answer is “there are”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Conventions of Standard English. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of subject/verb agreement.
    2. The correct answer is “there are” because this forms the subject and verb of the sentence.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because in this scenario there is no subject and verb for this sentence.
    4. The answer choice “where” is not correct because in this scenario there is no verb for this sentence.
    5. The answer choice “DELETE the underline portion” is not correct because there would no longer be a verb for this sentence.
  12. Question 12, “were placed on bees tracking”. The correct answer is “were placed on bees to track”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Conventions of Standard English. More specifically this question tests your understanding of clauses and phrases.
    2. The correct answer is “were placed on bees to track” is correct because to track is a phrase that describes the purpose of the tiny bar codes.
    3. The answer choice NO CHANGE is not correct because tracking their activities is not a prepositional phrase describing the bar codes.
    4. The answer choices “placed on bees, which would track” and “had been placed on bees trying to track” are not correct because they are unnecessarily complex and verbose.
  13. Question 13, “we have almost certainly exceeded even Woodland…”. The correct answer is “bar codes have almost certainly exceeded even Woodland and Silver’s expectations”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Conventions of Standard English. More specifically this question tests your understanding of pronouns.
    2. The correct answer is “bar codes have almost certainly exceeded even Woodland and Silver’s expectations” because the phrase “Shaping the way we gather, track and share information” describes the word that follows which should be bar codes.
    3. None of the other answer choices begin with bar codes hence the correct answer is C.
  14. Question 14, “For the sake of the logic and coherence of the essay…”. The correct answer is “where it is now”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of organization, unity and cohesion.
    2. The correct answer is “where it is now” because Paragraph 3 focuses on how Woodland and Silver adapted existing technology to make a bar code.
    3. Paragraph 2 talks about the first bar codes while Paragraph 4 talks about today’s scanners.
    4. Hence, the best placement for a paragraph discussing how previous technology was adapted to make way for the technology found today should be located between paragraph 2 and 4.
  15. Question 15, “Suppose the writer’s primary purpose had been to describe…”. The correct answer is “No, because it focuses primarily on the development of bar codes and only briefly mentions how businesses have implemented the use of bar codes”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of organization, unity and cohesion.
    2. The correct answer is “No, because it focuses primarily on the development of bar codes and only briefly mentions how businesses have implemented the use of bar codes” because the paragraph does not mention how business practices were changed because of this technological change.
    3. The other answer choices are not correct because the primary purpose of this essay is not on how specific technological advancements changed business practices.
  16. Question 16, “me, pointing”. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Conventions of Standard English. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Subject/Verb Agreement.
    2. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE” because pointing up to the cave ceiling is a gerund phrase that describes the woman.
    3. The answer choice “me, and then pointing” is not correct because and is used to separate two complete ideas and this phrase is not a complete idea.
    4. The answer choice “me and she pointed” is not correct because and is used to connect two ideas that are similar, and the first and second half of this sentence are not similar.
    5. The answer choice, “me, she pointed” is not correct because two complete ideas cannot be separated by a comma.
  17. Question 17, “glowing,’ she said, whispering”. The correct answer is “glowing.’”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Knowledge of Language. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of redundancy.
    2. The correct answer is “glowing.” because the following sentence addresses who is speaking and therefore it does not need to be said in the underlined sentence.
    3. The other answers all repeat who was speaking and therefore are unnecessarily wordy.
  18. Question 18, “While”. The correct answer is “DELETE the underlined portion”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of additions and subtractions.
    2. The correct answer is “DELETE the underlined portion” because there is no transition needed for this sentence.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because “while” indicates that something else happened during the process of her traveling on canoe. This is not mentioned in the sentence.
    4. The answer choice “Although” is not correct because although indicates two opposing thoughts which are not present in the sentence.
    5. The answer choice “Since” is not correct because since indicates a time relationship after which is not appropriate in this sentence.
  19. Question 19, “on”. The correct answer is “by”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Knowledge of Language. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of word choice.
    2. The correct answer is “by” because the preposition “by” tells how she was traveling aka by canoe.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because the preposition “on” means located on top of.
    4. The answer choice “with” is not correct because with means in possession of.
    5. The answer choice “in” is not correct because in means located inside of.
  20. Question 20, “feel as though it were downright ensconced in shadows”. The correct answer is “be utterly dark”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically this question tests your understanding of organization, unity and cohesion.
    2. The correct answer is “be utterly dark” because this concisely conveys the desired meaning.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not the correct answer because it is too verbose and hard to decipher.
    4. The answer choice “end up pretty hard to see” is not correct because this implies that a change is being done that results in these caves being hard to see which is not the case.
    5. The answer choice “have not a lot of light” is not correct because the appropriate way to state this would be “not have a lot of light” but not as it is written.
  21. Question 21, “At this point, the writer wants…”. The correct answer is “Surprised, I hesitantly turned toward her”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of additions and subtractions.
    2. The correct answer is “Surprised, I hesitantly turned toward her” because this indicates that the author found the woman’s comment “surprising”.
    3. The answer choice “ I figured she had been to the caves before” does not indicate the peculiar nature of the woman’s comment.
    4. The answer choice “She had a notepad in her hand” does not indicate the peculiar nature of the woman’s comment.
    5. The answer choice “I happened to agree” is not correct because this does not indicate the peculiar nature of the woman’s comment.
  22. Question 22, “was”. The correct answer is “DELETE the underlined portion”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of additions and subtractions.
    2. The correct answer is “DELETE the underlined portion” because the phrase “pinned to her shirt” describes the badge and no verb is needed between the badge and this adjective.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because this results in the sentence having two verbs.
    4. The answer choice “had been” is not correct because this results in the sentence having two verbs.
    5. The answer choice “it was” is not correct because this results in the sentence having two subjects (the badge and “it”).
  23. Question 23, “skin; via”. The correct answer is “skin. Via”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Conventions of Standard English. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of punctuation specifically of semi-colons.
    2. The correct answer is “skin via” because this allows the next part of the sentence to continue to describe the first part of the sentence.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because “via a cellular chemical reaction” is not an independent thought.
    4. The answer choice “skin, and via” is not correct because “via a cellular chemical reaction” is not an independent thought.
    5. The answer choice “skin. Via” is not correct because “Via a cellular chemical reaction” is not an independent thought.
  24. Question 24, “all glowworms dangle”. The correct answer is “each glowworm dangles”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Conventions of Standard English. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Subject/Verb agreement.
    2. The phrase in question is preceded by the noun which is the word “its mouth” which is singular.
    3. Hence the correct answer would continue this use of singular pronouns.
    4. The only answer choice that fits this description is “each glowworm dangles”.
  25. Question 25, “trapped in these threads, then reeled in like a fish on a line…”. The correct answer is “lured by the light, then trapped in these threads and finally reeled in like a fish on a line”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically this question tests your understanding of organization, unity and cohesion.
    2. The correct answer is “lured by the light, then trapped in these threads and finally reeled in like fish on a line” because this phrase maintains the appropriate similarity in sentence structure between “lured”, “trapped” and “reeled” while following a proper sequence of events.
    3. The other answer choices are not correct because they do not follow a proper sequence of events.
  26. Question 26, “however”. The correct answer is “For example”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Transition words and phrases.
    2. The correct answer is “for example,” because “might signal that prey is nearby” indicates an example of what the sound of splashing water can do.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because the two ideas presented are not opposing.
    4. The answer choice “on the other hand” is not correct because the two ideas presented are not opposing.
    5. The answer choice “above all” is not correct because the transition words mean more so than anything else and this is not indicated in this sentence.
  27. Question 27, “them”. The correct answer is “the light”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Conventions of Standard English. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Pronouns.
    2. The correct answer is “the light” because the way the sentence is currently written is confusing because the pronoun could potentially refer to multiple things.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because the sentence currently has a confusing pronoun.
    4. The answer choice “these” is not correct because this also serves to have a confusing pronoun.
    5. The answer choice “DELETE the underlined portion is not correct because without a noun here, the sentence becomes unclear as to what brightens.
  28. Question 28, “Which of the following choices, if added here…”. The correct answer is “A camera flash, she reminded me, may also spell danger and the glowworms’ light is doused”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Additions and Subtractions.
    2. The correct answer is “A camera-flash, she reminded me, may also spell danger and the glowworms’ light is doused” because this is the only sentence that refers back to the start of the passage when the woman next to the narrator said “no photographs”.
    3. The answer choice “Insects are likely attracted to the light because the sky-like appearance of the glowworms fools insects into believing they are outdoors” is not correct because the start of the passage does not discuss insects.
    4. Likewise, the other wo answer choices also do not discuss cameras which is how the passage starts off and hence would best serve to refer back to the conversation at the beginning of the essay.
  29. Question 29, “The writer is considering revising the underlined portion…”. The correct answer is “Yes, because the revised phrase more specifically describes dragonfly’s actions to help support the narrator’s claim that she knew what its fate would be”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Knowledge of Language. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of word choice.
    2. The correct answer is “Yes, because the revised phrase more specifically describes dragonfly’s actions to help support the narrator’s claim that she knew what its fate would be” because the description of soaring towards the light describes the dragonfly’s actions.
    3. This description of the action allows the reader to know why the narrator knew the dragonfly’s fate.
  30. Question 30, “fate,”. The correct answer is “fate:”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Conventions of Standard English. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Punctuation.
    2. The correct answer is “fate:” because “it would be ensnared” is a description of what the fate is.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because this results in two independent ideas separated by a comma.
    4. The answer choice “fate; and” is not correct because you do not need both a semicolon and the word “and” to link two independent ideas.
    5. The answer choice “fate” is not correct because this results in two independent ideas not separated by any punctuation.
  31. Question 31, “basket next to me”. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Conventions of Standard English. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Punctuation more specifically the comma.
    2. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE” because the sentence does not need a comma and is correct the way it is written.
    3. The answer choice “basket next, to me” is not correct because the comma is placed in the middle of a prepositional phrase which is not correct.
    4. The answer choice “basket, next to me” is not correct because the comma is placed between the basket and its location which is not appropriate.
    5. The answer choice “basket next to me,” is not correct because there is not a need for a pause following the “next to me” description.
  32. Question 32, “this”. The correct answer is “the rosebush”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Conventions of Standard English. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Pronouns.
    2. The correct answer is “the rosebush” because the pronoun is confusing and hence should be replaced by the noun it is describing.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because as it is currently written there is a pronoun with an unclear subject.
    4. The answer choice “one” is not correct because this change does not fix the issue of the unclear pronoun.
    5. The answer choice “it” is not correct because this change does not fix the issue of the unclear pronoun.
  33. Question 33, Which choice most closely maintains the sentence pattern…”. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Knowledge of Language. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of tone/style.
    2. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE” because as it is written the sentence has a list that has similar sentence structure between each item of the list.
    3. The answer choice “I will see new buds that have been sprouting” is not correct because this does not have a similar sentence structure to roots will take hold.
    4. The answer choice “followed by the buds, which have sprouted” is not correct because this does not have a similar sentence structure to roots will take hold.
    5. The answer choice “then come the sprouting buds after that” is not correct because this does not have a similar sentence structure to roots will take hold.
  34. Question 34, “roses, old, or heirloom varieties,”. The correct answer is “roses, old or heirloom varieties”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Conventions of Standard English. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Punctuation.
    2. The correct answer is “roses, old or heirloom varieties” because the descriptions old and heirloom varieties describe the roses and hence a comma here makes sense.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because this sentence has too many commas and the commas after old or varieties are not needed.
    4. The answer choice “roses, old or heirloom, varieties,” is not correct because this sentence has too many commas and the commas after heirloom or varieties is not needed.
    5. The answer choice roses old or heirloom varieties is not correct because the comma is not in the correct location and would better serve its function by following roses.
  35. Question 35, “vibrant hybrid-tea colors”. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Conventions of Standard English. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of punctuation, specifically commas.
    2. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE” because the comma should be after the prepositional phrase to vibrant hybrid-tea colors and not within it which is how it is written.
    3. The answer choice “vibrant hybrid-tea, colors,” is not correct because it has too many commas and a comma after hybrid-tea is not needed.
    4. The answer choice “vibrant, hybrid-tea colors” is not correct because the comma as it exists should be placed following colors not after vibrant.
    5. The answer choice “vibrant hybrid-tea colors” is not correct because this does not have any commas at all, and this is not appropriate.
  36. Question 36, “silenced.” The correct answer is “muted”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Knowledge of Language. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Word Choice.
    2. The correct answer is “muted” because the colors are described as being muted which means dull or not vibrant.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because silenced means to make quiet.
    4. The answer choice “reduced” is not correct because reduced means to decrease.
    5. The answer choice “lower” is not correct because lower means to decrease.
  37. Question 37, “into”. The correct answer is “for”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Knowledge of Language. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Word Choice.
    2. The correct answer is “for” because make for means to be more likely to be and that is the correct word for this sentence.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because the phrase make into does not mean likely to be.
    4. The answer choice “about” is not correct because the phrase make about does not mean likely to be.
    5. The answer choice “like” is not correct because the phrase make like does not mean likely to be.
  38. Question 38, “The writer wants to add a detail here that best…”. The correct answer is “are lush and shapely”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Purpose/Emphasis of Word Choice.
    2. The correct answer is “are lush and shapely” because lush and shapely is a stark contrast from the “scraggly looking” hybrid-tea rose bushes.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because a variety of colors is not a contrast to the scraggly looking hybrid-tea rosebushes.
    4. The answer choice “can grow quite large” is not correct because growing large is not a contrast to the scraggly looking hybrid-tea rosebushes.
    5. The answer choice “tend to be less thorny” is not correct because not having thorns is not a contrast to the scraggly looking hybrid-tea rosebushes.
  39. Question 39, “Which choice best introduces the main focus…”. The correct answer is “aside from the rose’s beauty, what gardeners like me most appreciate is that antiques are incredibly durable and low maintenance”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Purpose/Emphasis of Word Choice.
    2. The correct answer is “aside from the rose’s beauty, what gardeners like me most appreciate is that antiques are incredibly durable and low maintenance” because the paragraph talks about the plant thriving extreme temperatures and surviving “nearly anywhere”.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because being exposed to six hours of sunlight does not introduce the topic of the plant being very durable.
    4. The answer choice “The varieties of antique roses are numerous, the most popular of which are the silken peach Mutabilis and the Crimson Louis Phillippe” is not correct because this does not indicate that the plant can survive in extreme conditions.
    5. The answer choice “While I am fond of bush varieties, I am also drawn to climbing varieties that can be placed against walls, fences, or trellises” is not correct because this does not indicate the durability of the plant.
  40. Question 40, “It’s”. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Knowledge of Language. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Word Choice.
    2. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE” because the way the sentence is written, the antiques are described as being easy to grow.
    3. The answer choice “They’re” is not correct because this is used for a plural prepositional phrase but the prepositional phrase to grow antiques is a singular action.
    4. The answer choice “Their” is not correct because this indicates possession which is not appropriate for this sentence.
    5. The answer choice “Its” is not correct because this indicates possession which is not appropriate for this sentence.
  41. Question 41, “having involved”. The correct answer is “involves”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Convention of Standard English. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Subject/Verb Agreement.
    2. The correct answer is “Involves” because this accurately matches the tense of the subject “cultivating hybrid-teas”.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because this would result in involve not serving as the verb for the sentence.
    4. The answer choice “which involves” is not correct because this would result in involve serving as a description and not as the verb for the sentence.
    5. The answer choice “involving” is not correct because the way it is used would result in involve serving as a description and not as the verb for the sentence.
  42. Question 42, “They require”. The correct answer is “Requiring”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Conventions of Standard English. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Clauses and Phrases.
    2. The correct answer is “Requiring” because this sets up the gerund phrase “Requiring far less pruning, fertilizing and nurturing…”.
    3. This serves as an appropriate description of “antiques”.
    4. The other answer choices do not establish a gerund phrase to describe “antiques”.
  43. Question 43, “The writer wants to add a detail here that emphasizes the antique rose’s ability to survive…”. The correct answer is “blooming year after year even at abandoned sites”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Purpose/Emphasis of Word Choice.
    2. The correct answer is “blooming year after year even at abandoned sites” because this indicates that antique roses can survive without human care.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because “a fact that surprises many” does not indicate that the antique rose can survive without human care.
    4. The answer choice “making them more popular among gardeners” is not correct because this does not indicate that roses can survive without human care.
    5. The answer choice “often blooming between midspring and fall” is not correct because this does not indicate that roses can survive without human care.
  44. Question 44, “Which sequence of sentences makes this paragraph…”. The correct answer is “2, 1, 3”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Organization, unity and cohesion.
    2. The correct answer is 2, 1, 3 because this accurately captures a proper sequence of events.
    3. Specifically, the narrator begins by stripping the clippings, then digging a small hole and placing the clippings in the hole and finally by waiting for the buds to sprout.
    4. This would indicate that the proper sequence is 2, 1, 3 which is answer G.
  45. Question 45, “Suppose the writer’s primary purpose had been to describe the process…”. The correct answer is “No, because the essay is more focused on comparing the qualities and cultivation of antique and hybrid-tea roses”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Purpose/Emphasis of Word Choice.
    2. The correct answer is “No, because the essay is more focused on comparing the qualities and cultivation of antique and hybrid-tea roses” because the essay does not focus on the process of planting a flower.
    3. The answer choices A and B are not correct because the essay focuses more on comparing antique and hybrid-tea roses than it does on planting a flower.
    4. The answer choice “No, because while the writer mentions growing antique roses in his garden, the essay is more focused on the history of antiques in gardens worldwide” is not correct because the essay does not focus on the history of antiques in gardens worldwide.
  46. Question 46, “it was”. The correct answer is “DELETE the underlined portion”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Additions and Subtractions.
    2. The correct answer is “DELETE the underlined portion” because the latter half of the sentence “eighteen inches tall with a curved vaselike silhouette” adequately describes the basket without the need for a transition.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because “it was” makes the latter half of the sentence an independent thought thereby separating two independent thoughts with a comma which is not appropriate in the English language.
    4. The answer choice “this work of art reached” is not correct because this makes the latter half of the sentence an independent thought thereby separating two independent thoughts with a comma which is not appropriate in the English language.
    5. The answer choice “the object stood” is not correct because this makes the latter half of the sentence an independent thought thereby separating two independent thoughts with a comma which is not appropriate in the English language.
  47. Question 47, “Market – the largest Indian art festival…”. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Conventions of Standard English. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Punctuation, specifically hyphens.
    2. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE” because the hyphens serve to separate a portion of the sentence that while important for the description of the Market does not flow properly with the sentence and hence needs to be separated by a hyphen.
    3. The answer choice “Market the largest Indian art festival – in the nation –“ is not correct because this format does not capture the entirety of the description of the market in the hyphens.
    4. The answer choice “Market, the largest Indian art festival, in the nation” is not correct because the comma between “festival” and “in” is not appropriate and is not needed.
    5. The answer choice “Market, the largest Indian art festival in the nation” is not correct because there is a missing comma following nation.
  48. Question 48, “the”. The correct answer is “looked on as the”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Conventions of Standard English. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Subject/Verb Agreement.
    2. The correct answer is “looked on as the” because this implies that the subject Jeremy Frey performed an action “looked on” which is an appropriate way to express this sentence.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because this does not have a functional verb in this sentence.
    4. The answer choice “as his” is not correct because this does not have a functional verb in this sentence.
    5. The answer choice “his” is not correct because this does not have a functional verb in this sentence.
  49. Question 49, “but, unlike most contemporary basketmakers,”. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Conventions of Standard English. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Punctuation, specifically commas.
    2. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE” because the location of the commas – following “but” and following “basketmakers” – is an appropriate location for a natural pause in the sentence.
    3. The answer choice “but, unlike most, contemporary basket makers” is not correct because the comma following “most” is extraneous and there is a missing comma following “basketmakers”.
    4. The answer choice “but, unlike, most contemporary basket makers,” is not correct because the comma following “unlike” is extraneous.
    5. The answer choice “but, unlike most contemporary basket makers” is not correct because there is a missing comma following “basketmakers”.
  50. Question 50, “Then creating”. The correct answer is “Frey creates”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Conventions of Standard English. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Subject/Verb Agreement.
    2. The correct answer is “Frey creates” because this clearly establishes the subject of the sentence as “Frey”.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because the sentence as it is written does not have a clear subject for the sentence.
    4. The answer choice “Going on to create” is not correct because the sentence as it is written does not have a clear subject for the sentence.
    5. The answer choice “creating” is not correct because the sentence as it is written does not have a clear subject for the sentence.
  51. Question 51, “If the writer were to delete the underlined portion…”. The correct answer is “a detail that connects Frey’s basketry work to long-standing Passamaquoddy traditions”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Additions and Subtractions.
    2. The correct answer is “a detail that connects Frey’s basketry work to long-standing Passamaquoddy traditions” because the underlined portion serves to describe the baskets as having been used by “generations of Passamaquoddy fishermen”.
    3. The answer choice “an indication that Frey honors Passamaquoddy cultural heritage by creating baskets that look nearly identical to traditional pieces” is not correct because the underlined portion does not suggest that Frey honors the Passamaquoddy heritage.
    4. The answer choice “a mention of a physical characteristic of the earliest baskets used by Passamaquoddy fisherman” is not correct because the underlined portion does not give a physical characteristic.
    5. The answer choice “a point revealing that Frey’s baskets are used by Passamaquoddy fisherman today” is not correct because the underlined portion does not indicate that these fishermen use Frey’s baskets.
  52. Question 52, “Which choice provides the clearest and most specific information…” The correct answer is “intricately woven interiors and bottoms,”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Emphasis of Word Choice.
    2. The correct answer is “intricately woven interiors and bottoms,” because this description serves to provide information about which parts are being woven and how Frey weaves those parts.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because this description does not show which parts are being woven.
    4. The answer choice “a remarkable level of details on certain sections, the” is not correct because this description does not show which parts are being woven.
    5. The answer choice “characteristic interiors and bottoms” is not correct because this description does not show how Frey weaves those parts.
  53. Question 53, “Which placement of the underlined portion…”. The correct answer is “After the word with”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Knowledge of Language. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of word choice.
    2. The correct answer is “After the word with” because this placement allows the porcupine quill to describe the “art inlaid on birch bark”.
    3. The answer choice “Where it is now” is not correct because this placement has porcupine quill describing the lids.
    4. The answer choice “After the word are” is not correct because this sentence does not make grammatical sense.
    5. The answer choice “After the word often” is not correct because this sentence does not make grammatical sense.
  54. Question 54, “bark; as far as lids go…” The correct answer is “bark.”
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Organization, unity and cohesion.
    2. The correct answer is “bark.” because the description following bark of the lids not being basic does not add to the description of Frey’s lids.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because the section following the semi-colon does not add to the description of the art on the lids.
    4. The answer choice “bark, which is not exactly formulating a lid through a conventional ideology” is not correct because the section does not add to the description of the art on the lids.
    5. The answer choice “bark; this is just part of his really artistic way” is not correct because the section does not add to the description of the art on the lids.
  55. Question 55, “are”. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Conventions of Standard English. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Subject/Verb Agreement.
    2. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE” because the subject of the sentence is braids which is a plural noun.
    3. The answer choice “has been” is not correct because this involves past tense.
    4. The answer choice “is seen” is not correct because this involves past tense.
    5. The answer choice “is” is not correct because the subject of the sentence is not singular.
  56. Question 56, “Which choice provides the clearest and most specific…” The correct answer is “to strengthen them”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Purpose of Word Choice.
    2. The correct answer is “to strengthen them,” because this serves as a clear and specific reason for the grass to be woven into the ash basket.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because “to make them better” is not a clear and specific reason for the grass to be woven into the ash basket.
    4. The answer choice “for the sake of the objects” is not correct because this is not a clear and specific reason for the grass to be woven into the ash basket.
    5. The answer choice “for a useful purpose” is not correct because this is not a clear and specific reason for the grass to be woven into the ash basket.
  57. Question 57, “of who”. The correct answer is “who”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Knowledge of Language. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of word choice.
    2. The correct answer is “who” because this serves as the beginning of the phrase who has rejuvenated the art of basketery which serves to describe the word artist.
    3. The answer choice “of who” is not correct because who does not need “of” to start the prepositional phrase.
    4. The answer choice “being whom” is not correct because this would be used as part of the object of a sentence.
    5. The answer choice “whom” is not correct because this would be used as part of the object of a sentence.
  58. Question 58, “it”. The correct answer is “this art”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Conventions of Standard English. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Pronouns.
    2. The correct answer is “this art”, because this most aptly replaces the confusing pronoun with the noun that it is replacing.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because this results in an confusing pronoun.
    4. The answer choice “that” is not correct because this results in a confusing pronoun.
    5. The answer choice “DELETE the underlined portion” is not correct because this results in a missing link between “artist” and “has”.
  59. Question 59, “stand out”. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Organization, unity and cohesion.
    2. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE” because this most concisely describes his goal of being different.
    3. The answer choice “distinguish himself from other weaves so as a weaver he is set apart from them” is not correct because this is too wordy.
    4. The answer choice “remain to be someone who gets noticed” is not correct because this is too wordy.
    5. The answer choice “keep on being fully distinct” is not correct because this is too wordy.
  60. Question 60, “The writer is considering adding the following sentence…” The correct answer is “Point B in Paragraph 1”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Additions and Subtractions.
    2. The correct answer is “Point B in Paragraph 1” because this location is preceded by a sentence that describes the black and white stripes.
    3. The answer choice “Point A in Paragraph 1” is not correct because this location is not preceded by a sentence that describes the black and white stripes.
    4. The answer choice “Point C in Paragraph 2” is not correct because this location is not preceded by a sentence that describes the black and white stripes.
    5. The answer choice “Point D in Paragraph 2” is not correct because this location is not preceded by a sentence that describes the black and white stripes.
  61. Question 61, “ago, Emperor Zhezong of China”. The correct answer is “ago, Emperor Zhezong of China”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Conventions of Standard English. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Punctuation (using commas).
    2. The correct answer is “ago, Emperor Zhezong of China” because this has commas following the description “Nine hundred years ago” but not after the subject of the sentence.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because this has an extra comma after the subject of the sentence.
    4. The answer choice “ago, Emperor Zhezong, of China” is not correct because this has an extra comma in the description of the subject of the sentence.
    5. The answer choice “ago Emperor Zhezong of China” is not correct because this does not have a comma following the description “Nine hundred years ago”.
  62. Question 62, “built to keep time more accurately than other clocks”. The correct answer is “more accurate than any other”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Organization, unity and Cohesion.
    2. The correct answer is “more accurate than any other” because this is a description of the clock.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because this is too wordy.
    4. The answer choice “to keep time more accurately than clocks that had previously come before it” is not correct because this is too wordy.
    5. The answer choice “more accurate at keeping time correctly than any other clock of the time” is not correct because this is too wordy.
  63. Question 63, “timepiece and because”. The correct answer is “timepiece. Because”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Conventions of Standard English. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Punctuation (commas and periods).
    2. The correct answer is “timepiece. Because”. This is correct because this allows “Because Chinese dynasties continued to astrology” to describe the word they.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because this would be connecting two sentences with different ideas with an and which is not appropriate.
    4. The answer choice, “timepiece, because” is not correct because this would become a run on sentence.
    5. The answer choice “timepiece because” is not correct because this would become a run on sentence.
  64. Question 64, “continued”. The correct answer is “adhered”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Knowledge of Language. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Word Choice.
    2. The correct answer is “adhered” because adhered means to follow or obey and this most accurately describes the Chinese dynasties reaction towards astrology.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because continued means ongoing which is not apt.
    4. The answer choice “linked” is not correct because linked means connected which is not apt.
    5. The answer choice “fixed” is not correct because fixed means fastened securely which is not apt.
  65. Question 65, “eminent scientist and bureaucrat named Su Song…” The correct answer is “eminent scientist and bureaucrat named Su Song led”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Knowledge of Language. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Word Choice.
    2. The correct answer is “eminent scientist and bureaucrat named Su Song led” because this correctly uses eminent which means famous and the appropriate past tense of lead.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because this answer does not use the appropriate past tense of lead.
    4. The answer choice “imminent scientist and bureaucrat named Su Song lead” is not correct because imminent means likely to happen very soon.
    5. The answer choice “imminent scientist and bureaucrat named Su Song led” is not correct because imminent means likely to happen very soon.
  66. Question 66, “Given that all the choices are accurate…” The correct answer is “Building on centuries of Chines Clock-making knowledge”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Purpose/Emphasis of Word Choice.
    2. The correct answer is “Building on centuries of Chines Clock-making knowledge” because this implies that Su Song relied on engineering achievements (clock making knowledge) of earlier times.
    3. The other answer choices does not indicate that Su Song relied on engineering achievements of earlier times and hence are not correct.
  67. Question 67, “housed within”. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Knowledge of Language. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Word Choice.
    2. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE” because this implies that the timepiece was located within the tower.
    3. The answer choice “secured between” is not correct because between implies there are two things the timepiece is located between.
    4. The answer choice “encased around” is not correct because this implies that the timepiece encased the tower.
    5. The answer choice “nestled among” is not correct because this implies that the timepiece was among multiple objects.
  68. Question 68, “sphere, or”. The correct answer is “sphere—”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Conventions of Standard English. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Punctuation (dashes).
    2. The correct answer is “sphere—” because this accurately sets up the description that is located between the two dashes.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because this does not set up the dashes surrounding the description of the sphere.
    4. The answer choice “sphere:” is not correct because this does not set up the dashes surrounding the description of the sphere.
    5. The answer choice “sphere,” is not correct because this does not set up the dashes surrounding the description of the sphere.
  69. Question 69, “Besides,”. The correct answer is “Lastly,”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Transition words and phrases.
    2. The correct answer is “Lastly,” because this transition serves to make the final point of the description of the tower.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because this choice makes it seem like what follows contradicts the previous sentence.
    4. The answer choice “Sooner or later” is not correct because this transition makes a temporal claim.
    5. The answer choice “Thus” is not correct because this transition summarizes the previously stated points.
  70. Question 70, “Which of the following alternatives…” The correct answer is “bells, they announced”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Conventions of Standard English. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Clauses and Phrases.
    2. The correct answer is “bells, they announced” because this does not correctly allow the latter half of the sentence “announce hours, sunsets, seasons and other chronological events” to describe the bells.
    3. The answer choice “bells, which served to announce” is not correct because this correctly allows the latter half of the sentence “announce hours, sunsets, seasons and other chronological events” to describe the bells.
    4. The answer choice “bells that announced” is not correct because this correctly allows the latter half of the sentence “announce hours, sunsets, seasons and other chronological events” to describe the bells.
    5. The answer choice “bells, announcing” is not correct because this correctly allows the latter half of the sentence “announce hours, sunsets, seasons and other chronological events” to describe the bells.
  71. Question 71, “were”. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Organization, unity and cohesion.
    2. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE” because this is both concise and avoids passive voice.
    3. The answer choice “reveals themselves as being” is not correct because this is not concise and has passive voice.
    4. The answer choice “was shown to be” is not correct because this is not concise and has passive voice.
    5. The answer choice “has proved” is not correct because this has passive voice.
  72. Question 72, “Therefore, water”. The correct answer is “Water”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Transition words and phrases.
    2. The correct answer is “Water” because no transition is needed due to the previous sentence describing the waterwheel.
    3. The answer choice “NO CHANGE” is not correct because no transition is needed.
    4. The answer choice “In other words, water” is not correct because no transition is needed.
    5. The answer choice “For example, water” is not correct because no transition is needed.
  73. Question 73, “but”. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Knowledge of Language. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Word Choice.
    2. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE” because the word but serves to present two contrasting ideas.
    3. The answer choice “nevertheless” is not correct because nevertheless means in spite of.
    4. The answer choice “regardless” is not correct because regardless means without paying attention to the present situation.
    5. The answer choice “DELETE the underlined portion” is not correct because the underlined portion is necessary to prevent a run-on sentence.
  74. Question 74, until with the refinement of mechanical clocks in Europe”. The correct answer is “until—with the refinement of mechanical clocks in Europe—”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Conventions of Standard English. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Punctuation (dashes).
    2. The correct answer is “until—with the refinement of mechanical clocks in Europe—” because this uses the two dashes to separate a description that does not follow the flow of the sentence.
    3. The other answer choices do not use a dash to separate the description and thus are not an appropriate way to separate a description that does not follow the flow of the sentence.
  75. Question 75, “approached the complexity”. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE”.
    1. This question falls under the category of Production of Writing. More specifically, this question tests your understanding of Organization, unity and cohesion.
    2. The correct answer is “NO CHANGE” because this is the most concise manner in which to express this idea.
    3. The other answer choices express the same idea in a more wordy and verbose answer and are hence not correct.