ACT Prep

*The moon being* aligned with Earth and the sun when full or new, so its gravity combines with the sun's gravity to create an even stronger gravitational pull. A. NO CHANGE B. Since the moon is C.The moon is D. The moon,

C

The few times that I've helped a friend with yard work has given me the joy of touching the soil with an open palm, *to get* the earth under my fingernails, of patting down the berm around a newly transplanted sapling. A. NO CHANGE B. with getting C. of getting D. got

C

The triangular shape is an illusion resulting from one significant addition to the *process* dust. A. No change B. process is C. process: D. process;

C

The pipes, which can vary *numerously* from three to fifteen, are fashioned from clay that is rolled around a mold. A. NO CHANGE B. in quantity of numbers C. number-wise D. in number

D

Unfortunately, the music of the Incas can probably never be exactly re-creating. Yet one can *hear in the music of their descendants*, beautiful variations on a musical sound that has survived for many centuries. A. NO CHANGE B. hear, in the music of their descendants C. hear in the music of their descendants; D. hear in the music of their descendants

D

The moon being aligned with Earth and the sun when full or new, so *its* gravity combines with the sun's gravity to create an even stronger gravitational pull E. NO CHANGE F. one's G. it's D. its'

E

This tiny country—*about one-sixth of a square mile in all—*is also home to a disproportionately large number of sites with great historical, artistic, and which have religious significance. E. NO CHANGE F. approximately about one-sixth of a square mile, all told— G. a grand total sum of about one-sixth of a square mile— H. a total of about one-sixth of a square mile when added together—

E

...and every Saturday morning he would put on his work clothes, *pick up his hoe and trowel, and would head* out the back door. E. NO CHANGE F. picked up his hoe and trowel, and headed G. pick up his hoe and trowel, and head H. picking up his hoe and trowel, and headed

G

I grew up with buckets, shovels, and nets waiting by the back door; hip-waders hanging in the closet; tide table charts covering the refrigerator door; and a microscope *was sitting* on the kitchen table. E. NO CHANGE F. would sit G. sitting H. sat

G

The antara dates back to the ninth century. Evidence about how musicians played the instrument *have come* from painted images on Incan ceramic pottery. E. NO CHANGE F. are coming G. comes H. come

G

At the very low tides of the full moon, when almost all the water was sucked away, we found the *hideaways where crabs, snails, starfish, and sea urchins hid in order not to be seen.* E. NO CHANGE F. hideouts where crabs, snails, starfish, and sea urchins concealed and hid themselves. G. places where crabs, snails, starfish, and sea urchins were stashed away. H. hiding places of crabs, snails, starfish, and sea urchins.

H

Bundled up in wool sweaters and thick *coats, and we watched* the sun setting on Mt. Fuji in Japan. F. No change G. coats while watching H. coats, we watched J. coats watching

H

By re-creating snowflake formation, *a discovery has revealed to scientists Kenneth Libbrecht and Hannah Arnold the cause of this apparent variation.* F. No change G. the discovery of the cause of this apparent variation has been made by scientists Kenneth Libbrecht and Hannah Arnold H. scientists Kenneth Libbrecht and Hannah Arnold have discovered the cause of this apparent variation. J. the cause of this apparent variation has been discovered by scientists Kenneth Libbrecht and Hannah Arnold

H

Many years later, living in an upstairs apartment, I am *more often* sorry I didn't follow my father out to the garden. The best placement for the bold portion would be: E. where it is now. F. after the word sorry. G. after the word follow. H. after the word garden (ending the sentence with a period).

H

As we neared the summit, the whole group of hikers--thinly spread across the mountain for *most* of the route--condensed, forming an illuminated line along the trail. A. No change B. the most part C. majority D. more

A

At the very low tides of the full moon, when almost all the water was sucked *away, we* found the hideaways where crabs, snails, starfish, and sea urchins hid in order not to be seen. A. NO CHANGE B. away. Then we C. away. We D. away; we

A

Each pipe is individually rolled to create the proper pitch before *being bound* to the other pipes. A. NO CHANGE B. being binded C. been bounded D. been bound

A

Having tried and failed, my father was unable to make a gardener of me. *I had no qualms, of course,* about enjoying the results of his labor: the potatoes, squash, cucumbers, and cauliflower that he pursued out of the earth. A. NO CHANGE B. More important, I had no qualms C. It stands to reason, then, that I certainly would have no qualms D. I had no qualms, as a consequence of it,

A

I grew up with buckets, shovels, and nets *waiting by the back door*; hip-waders hanging in the closet; tide table charts covering the refrigerator door; and a microscope was sitting on the kitchen table. A. NO CHANGE B. waiting, by the back door, C. waiting by the back door, D. waiting by the back door

A

Snowflakes *form from tiny water droplets,* following a specific process of chemical bonding as they freeze, which results in a six-sided figure. A. No change B. form, from tiny, water droplets, C. form from tiny, water, droplets D. form, from tiny water droplets

A

Such snowflakes offer evidence that even when impurities interfere, *the basic laws of chemistry still apply.* Which choice most effectively concludes the sentence? A. No change B. scientists can be certain that a solution to even the most confusing event will be found C. snowflakes will still fall if atmospheric conditions are favorable. D. snowflakes come in many different shapes and sizes.

A

The Vatican Museums house a great many valuable paintings, sculptures, pieces of jewelry, and tapestries,as well as the world's most extensive collections of ancient manuscripts. Scholars often *probe* the museums' archives of early written works for insights into lives led long ago. A. NO CHANGE B. grab an eyeful of C. check out D. pry

A

The antara was also sometimes held in one hand while the other hand *beat* a cylindrical drum. A. NO CHANGE B. beaten C. beated D. beats.

A

[1] Often, my brother and I, joined our mother on her adventures into tidal lands. [2] At the very low tides of the full moon, when almost all the water was sucked away, we found the hideaways where crabs, snails, starfish, and sea urchins hid in order not to be seen.[3] Sometimes we would dig with shovels in the mud, where yellow and white worms lived in their leathery tunnels. Which of the following sequences of sentences makes this paragraph most logical? A. NO CHANGE B. 2, 1, 3 C. 2, 3, 1 D. 3, 1, 2

A

*Bypassing the liquid water phase*, those molecules condense directly onto the established hexagonal pattern. As a result, the flake grows outward into bigger and more complex hexagonal arrangements surrounding the original hexagonal shape at the center of the flake. If the writer were to delete the bold portion (adjusting the capitalization as needed), the sentence could primarily lose: A. an explanation of the process water molecules undergo to change from liquid to vapor to solid. B. a detail that mentions a step some water molecules skip in changing from vapor to solid. C. a visual description of what water vapor molecules look like. D. an explanation of how molecules react to various air temperatures.

B

...archives of early written works for insights into lives led long ago. Accordingly, St. Peter's Basilica, the largest cathedral in the Northern Hemisphere, is remarkable. Built upon second-century *foundations*. St. Peter's features a dome designed by the artist and architect Michelangelo. A. NO CHANGE B. foundations, C. foundations: D. foundations;

B

Due to the limited number of notes that can be played on an *antara, early musicians'* most likely worked in groups, coordinating the timing and pitch of their instruments to extend the range of sounds produced. A. NO CHANGE B. antara, early musicians C. antara early musicians' D. antara early musician's

B

His glowing smile *are* evidence of his pride in the onions—the proof of his labor and love—and in me, the photographer, his son. Choose the best answer. A. NO CHANGE B. is C. were D. OMIT the underlined portion.

B

I had no qualms, of course, about enjoying the results of his labor: the potatoes, squash, cucumbers, and cauliflower that he *pursued* out of the earth. I would even help him dig out the potatoes or cut a cucumber from its vine. A. NO CHANGE B. coaxed C. surrendered E. enlisted

B

I have several indoor plants, but the experience is not the same. The few times that I've helped a friend with yard work *has given* me the joy of touching the soil with an open palm, to get the earth under my fingernails, of patting down the berm around a newly transplanted sapling. A. NO CHANGE B. have given C. has gave D. have gave

B

In the early 1950s, a twelve-year old *boy named, Juan Quezada,* gathered firewood in the mountains near the village of Mata Ortiz in Chihuahua, Mexico. A. No change B. boy named Juan Quezada C. boy, named Juan Quezada D. boy named Juan Quezada,

B

It was August and our clothes were stifling, but we *would have needed* the warmth from our bodies sealed around us as we hiked into the high altitudes. A. No change B. would need C. will need D. need

B

Our pace slowed. *Progressing along the trail,* we reached the summit just five minutes before dawn. Which choice emphasizes the slowness of the ascent and supports the idea that the narrator's group of friends did not set their own pace? A. No change B. Able to advance only a few steps at a time, C. Moving forward with each step, D. Climbing higher in altitude

B

Snowflakes begin to form when water in the atmosphere *freezes it causes* the water molecules to bond into a hexagonal shape. A. No change B. freezes, causing C. freezes, it causes D. freezes, this causes

B

The Vatican Museums house *a great many valuable* paintings, sculptures, pieces of jewelry, and tapestries, as well as the world's most extensive collections of ancient manuscripts. Scholars often probe the museums' archives of early written works for insights into lives led long ago. Given that all of the choices are true, which one best emphasizes the extent and worth of the museums' holdings? A. NO CHANGE B. thousands of invaluable C. numerous important D. a group of precious

B

These were artifacts from his ancestors. Fascinated by the geometric designs, Quezada *wondered, if he could make pots like these?* A. No Change B. wondered if he could make pots like these. C. wondered, if he could make pots like these. D. wondered if he could make pots like these?

B

Unfortunately, the music of the Incas can probably never be *exactly re-creating.* A. NO CHANGE B. re-created exactly. C. exact re-created. D. re-created exact.

B

When I was a boy growing up in Delhi, India, we had a kitchen garden behind our downstairs apartment. My father was an avid *gardener, he still is:* and every Saturday morning he would put on his work clothes, A. NO CHANGE B. gardener—he still is— C. gardener, he still is— D. gardener and he still is

B

When I was a boy growing up in Delhi, India, we had a kitchen garden behind our downstairs apartment. My father was an avid gardener, he still is: and every *Saturday* morning he would put on his work clothes, pick up his hoe and trowel, and would head out the back door If the word Saturday were deleted from the preceding sentence, the essay would primarily lose: A. evidence that the father was an avid gardener. B. a detail that changes the meaning of the sentence. C. support for a point made earlier. D. a crucial link to the following paragraph.

B

*Our household might have been described as uncooperative.* Which choice would most effectively introduce the rest of this paragraph? A. NO CHANGE B. There seemed to be no explanation for why Mom ran our household the way she did. C. Our household didn't run according to a typical schedule. D. Mom ran our household in a most spectacular manner.

C

Accordingly, St. Peter's Basilica, the largest cathedral in the Northern Hemisphere, is remarkable. Built upon second-century foundations, St. Peter's features a dome designed by the artist and architect Michelangelo. Intricate mosaics—enormous "paintings" fashioned from millions of tiny cut stones of various colors—*lining* each of the basilica's several smaller domes. The marble floor, with its intricate designs, covers the cathedral's catacombs, where popes are buried. Sculptures by Michelangelo and Bernini, including Michelangelo's poignant Pietà, contributes to the basilica's beauty. A. NO CHANGE B. that line C. line D. lines

C

Every thousand feet, we came to a small station constructed of tin and cement, barely able to block the wind. At each one, we noted the roof *piled high on* fallen rocks and felt both unsettled and reassured by this evidence of the station's protective ability. A. No change B. piling high with C. piled high with D. piling high on

C

I would even help him dig out the potatoes or cut a cucumber from its vine. To me, it was *much more fun to reap than sowing.* A. NO CHANGE B. the most fun to reap than to sow. C. much more fun to reap than to sow. D. the most fun reaping than if I'd had to sow.

C

Now that I live far from my father (I live in Iowa on the other side of the world), I *wish I'd spend* more time with him in the garden. A. NO CHANGE B. wished I had spent C. wish I had spent D. wish to have spent

C

Our meals weren't always served in the expected order of breakfast, lunch, and supper. Everything *was subservient to the disposal of* the tides. A. NO CHANGE B. was defenseless in the face of C. depended on D. trusted in

C

Surrounded by the ancient city of Rome, Vatican City is an independent nation *on the west bank of the Tiber River*. Given that all of the choices are true, which one best supports the sentence's claim about Vatican City's status as an independent nation? A. NO CHANGE B. with an interesting past. C. with its own government, banking system, postal service, and army. D. that has to import most of its supplies, even such necessities as food and water.

C

The Vatican Museums house a great many valuable paintings, sculptures, pieces of jewelry, and tapestries, *as well as* the world's most extensive collections of ancient manuscripts. Scholars often probe the museums' archives of early written works for insights into lives led long ago. Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion would NOT be acceptable? A. in addition to B. besides C. also there is D. and also

C

The antara consists of a connected row of hollow, vertical pipes of varying lengths, *which are then lined up.* Given that all of the choices are true, which one provides the most significant new information? A. NO CHANGE B. thus forming this musical instrument. C. arranged from shortest to longest. D. which are fastened together.

C

Then we would patiently wait. After a while, she would pull up the net, and we would go home. Later, we would see her sitting at the kitchen table, peering *at a drop of water* through the lenses of her microscope from the bottle—watching the thousands of tiny swimming organisms. The best placement for the bold portion would be: A. where it is now. B. after the word lenses. C. after the word microscope. D. after the word bottle (but before the dash).

C

Whether *its* bright and jaunty or haunting and melancholic, the music of the Andes highlands has a mellow sound unique in the musical world. A. NO CHANGE B. they're C. it's D. its'

C

*Having studied, my mother is* a marine biologist. A. NO CHANGE B. As my mother's interest is science, she is C. My mother's occupation is that of D. My mother is

D

*I knew that it took about eight hours for the tides to change from high to low, sixteen hours for a complete cycle of tides.* I didn't have to wait to learn these things in school. In our house they were everyday knowledge. If the writer were to delete the phrase "sixteen hours for a complete cycle of tides" from the preceding sentence (ending the sentence with a period), the essay would primarily lose a detail that: A. shows how the narrator's interests are different from the mother's interests. B. contradicts a point made earlier in the paragraph. C. helps establish the setting for the essay. D. displays the narrator's knowledge of tides.

D

Accordingly, St. Peter's Basilica, the largest cathedral in the Northern Hemisphere, is remarkable. Built upon second-century foundations, St. Peter's features a dome designed by the artist and architect Michelangelo. Intricate mosaics—enormous "paintings" fashioned from millions of tiny cut stones of various colors—lining each of the basilica's several smaller domes. The marble floor, with its intricate designs, covers the cathedral's catacombs, where popes are buried. Sculptures by Michelangelo and Bernini, including Michelangelo's poignant Pietà, *contributes* to the basilica's beauty. A. NO CHANGE B. does contribute C. has contributed D. contribute

D

As a ten-year-old, I was supremely unenthusiastic about swinging a hoe in the garden when I could be out playing with my friends. *Having tried and failed,* my father was unable to make a gardener of me. Which of the choices best emphasizes how much the father wanted his son to share his avid interest in gardening? Individual Question A. NO CHANGE B. Because of my indifference to his hobby, C. Contrary to this thinking, D. Despite his repeated attempts,

D

Musicians are depicted playing a six-pipe antara by holding the lower ends of the two longer pipes with the right hand while placing the left hand near the *remaining* tops of the four pipes. The best placement for the bold portion would be: A. where it is now. B. before the word left. C. before the word of. D. before the word four.

D

Other pottery images show two antara players facing each other while dancing. Each player holds a set of pipes *so that both sets are* connected to the other set by a string, as if to suggest that those two antaras should be played together. A. NO CHANGE B. in such a way that both sets are C. with both sets being D. OMIT the underlined portion.

D

The seemingly triangular shape of those snowflakes suggests *that forming* through a different process of chemical bonding. A. No change B. the manner in which formation C. which had formed D. that they form

D

This tiny country—about one-sixth of a square mile in all—is also home to a disproportionately large number of sites with great historical, artistic, and *which have* religious significance. A. NO CHANGE B. having C. as well as D. OMIT the underlined portion.

D

Accordingly, St. Peter's Basilica, the largest cathedral in the Northern Hemisphere, is remarkable. Built upon second-century foundations, St. Peter's features a dome designed by the artist and architect Michelangelo. Intricate mosaics—enormous *"paintings"* fashioned from millions of tiny cut stones of various colors—lining each of the basilica's several smaller domes. The marble floor, with its intricate designs, covers the cathedral's catacombs, where popes are buried. Sculptures by Michelangelo and Bernini, including Michelangelo's poignant Pietà, contributes to the basilica's beauty. If the writer were to delete the quotation marks around the wordpaintings in the preceding sentence, the sentence would primarily lose a feature that suggests: E. that mosaics are not paintings in the usual sense of the word. F. how large and complicated the mosaics in St. Peter's actually are. G. how carefully mosaics are put together. H. that the mosaics in St. Peter's are not typical of mosaics in general.

E

[1] Due to the limited number of notes that can be played on an antara, early musicians' most likely worked in groups, coordinating the timing and pitch of their instruments to extend the range of sounds produced. [2] Other pottery images show two antara players facing each other while dancing. [3] Each player holds a set of pipes so that both sets are connected to the other set by a string, as if to suggest that those two antaras should be played together. [4] *Even to this day, descendants of the Incas, the Quechua people of Peru and Bolivia, prefer to play matched antaras bound together.* For the sake of the logic and coherence of this paragraph, Sentence 4 should be placed: E.where it is now. F. before Sentence 1. G. after Sentence 1. H. after Sentence 2.

E

As we neared the summit, the whole group of hikers--thinly spread across the mountain for most of the route--condensed, *forming* an illuminated line along the trail. F. No change G. they formed H. there was J. we saw

F

For plankton tows, we would stand on the bridge while Mom lowered a cone-shaped net that *is often used by marine biologists.* Given that all of the choices are true, which one provides information that is relevant and that makes the rest of this paragraph understandable? E. NO CHANGE F. had a specimen bottle attached to its smaller end. G. was woven from cotton and nylon material. H. was shaped like a geometric figure.

F

This *tiny* country—about one-sixth of a square mile in all—is also home to a *disproportionately* large number of sites with great historical, artistic, and which have religious significance. If the writer were to delete the words tiny and disproportionately from the preceding sentence, the sentence would primarily lose: E. elements of the setting of the essay. F. a contrast emphasizing the unusual number of sites. G. details that stress how important the sites are. H. a comparison between Vatican City and Rome.

F

We crouched down on jutting pieces of rock and waited for the shifting clouds to clear. *We waited for the sun.* If the writer were to delete the * * sentence, the paragraph would primarily lose: F. a restatement of an idea that emphasizes the hikers' anticipation when they reached the summit. G. a statement that introduces the idea of waiting. H. an unnecessary detail J. a clear image that conveys what the hikers saw when they reached the summit.

F

The antara has its origins in the Incan civilization, once *the more richer and more* powerful empire in South America. E. NO CHANGE F. one of the richest and most G. the richest and most H. the richer and more

G

The resulting snowflake has three long sides and three sides that are so short they are difficult to detect. Although these snowflakes appear to have a triangular *shape--*they actually have a hexagonal pattern. F. No change G. shape, H. shape; J. shape:

G

*My favorite photograph of my father shows him squatting on his heels, trowel in hand, behind a golden heap of onions freshly pulled from the ground.* At this point, the writer is considering adding the following true statement: I have many photo albums, and each one includes pictures of my father in various poses. Should the writer make this addition here? E. Yes, because it informs the reader that the photograph he describes in the preceding sentence is not the only one he has of his father. F. Yes, because it informs the reader that the writer is more than an amateur photographer. G. No, because it contradicts the writer's claim that the photograph he describes in the preceding sentence is one he also treasures. H. No, because it distracts the reader from the main focus of the paragraph and does not logically fit at this point in the essay.

H

...archives of early written works for insights into lives led long ago. *Accordingly*, St. Peter's Basilica, the largest cathedral in the Northern Hemisphere, is remarkable. Built upon second-century foundations. St. Peter's features a dome designed by the artist and architect Michelangelo. E. NO CHANGE F. Indeed, G. For instance, H. OMIT the underlined portion

H

In the mountains, Quezada found shards of *pots, and an occasional complete pot,* painted with intricate red and black designs. Which of the following alternatives to the * * portion would NOT be acceptable? F. pots--along with an occasional complete pot-- G. pots, along with an occasional complete pot, H. pots, (and an occasional complete pot) J. pots (and an occasional complete pot)

H

Often, my *brother and I*, joined our mother on her adventures into tidal lands. E. NO CHANGE F.brother, and I, G. brother, and I H. brother and I

H

We rested uneasily for a moment as a clerk burned the station brand into our walking *sticks which it was proof of* our progress through the darkness. F. No change G. sticks, it was proof of H. sticks, proof of J. sticks proved

H

During the flake's descent from Earth's upper atmosphere, other water vapor molecules *bumps* into the hexagonal structure. F. No change G. has bumped H. bumped J. bump

J

In 2009, Libbrecht and Arnold's experiments revealed that triangular snowflakes begin with the same process of chemical bonding and *forms* a hexagonal shape. F. No change G. were they to form H. if they formed J. form

J

The trail gradually changed from compact dirt to a jumble of volcanic rocks. We tried to steady ourselves with our walking sticks but slipped and stumbled *because of the jumbled rocks we were slipping on.* F. No change G. even though we used our walking sticks. H. despite any efforts to remain steady. J. with each step.

J