ACT English Exam Flashcards

Q: How many questions are on ACT English?

The enhanced ACT English section has 50 questions in 35 minutes. Most questions count toward the section score; some may be embedded field-test items.

Q: What does ACT English test?

ACT English reports three major categories: Production of Writing, Knowledge of Language, and Conventions of Standard English. These cover passage organization, style and concision, grammar, punctuation, usage, and sentence structure.

Q: What grammar rules should I know for ACT English?

High-value rules include subject-verb agreement, pronoun agreement and case, parallel structure, modifier placement, verb tense consistency, apostrophes, commas, semicolons, colons, fragments, and run-ons.

Q: How should I study ACT English flashcards?

Recall the rule first, then test it in a sentence. For passage questions, name the purpose of the sentence or paragraph before deciding whether to add, delete, move, or revise text.

Q: Why are concision cards important for ACT English?

ACT English often rewards the shortest answer that is grammatical, precise, and consistent with the passage. Wordy or redundant choices are common traps.

Q: Is ACT English only grammar?

No. Grammar and punctuation matter, but the section also tests organization, logical transitions, tone, sentence placement, relevant support, and whether a revision matches the author's purpose.

Question 1

Subject-verb agreement: what do you match?

Accepted Answer

Match the verb to the true subject, not to a nearby noun in a prepositional phrase or modifier. Cross out interrupting phrases to find the subject.

Question 2

Each, every, either, neither

Accepted Answer

These words are singular when used as subjects. They usually take singular verbs such as is, has, and does.

Question 3

Either/or and neither/nor agreement

Accepted Answer

With either/or and neither/nor, the verb agrees with the subject closer to the verb. Check the noun nearest the verb, not the first noun.

Question 4

Pronoun-antecedent agreement

Accepted Answer

A pronoun must agree with the noun it replaces in number and person. Singular antecedents need singular pronouns; plural antecedents need plural pronouns.

Question 5

Pronoun case after a preposition

Accepted Answer

Use object pronouns after prepositions: for me, between him and her, with us. Subject pronouns like I, he, she, we, and they do not follow prepositions.

Question 6

Who vs. whom

Accepted Answer

Use who for a subject and whom for an object. A quick test: if he or she fits, use who; if him or her fits, use whom.

Question 7

Verb tense consistency

Accepted Answer

Keep verb tense consistent unless the time frame clearly changes. A random shift from past to present or present to future is usually wrong.

Question 8

Parallel structure in a list

Accepted Answer

Items in a list or paired construction should use the same grammatical form. Match nouns with nouns, verbs with verbs, and phrases with similar phrases.

Question 9

Faulty comparisons

Accepted Answer

Compare like things to like things. A person should be compared with another person, a work with another work, and a trait with another trait.

Question 10

Dangling modifier

Accepted Answer

A modifier dangles when the sentence does not name the thing being modified. The noun immediately after an opening modifier should be the actor described.

Question 11

Misplaced modifier

Accepted Answer

Place modifiers next to the words they describe. A modifier in the wrong spot can make the sentence illogical or unintentionally funny.

Question 12

Sentence fragment

Accepted Answer

A fragment is missing a subject, a complete verb, or a complete thought. Dependent clauses beginning with although, because, or while need an independent clause.

Question 13

Run-on sentence

Accepted Answer

A run-on joins independent clauses without proper punctuation or a connector. Fix it with a period, semicolon, or comma plus a coordinating conjunction.

Question 14

Comma splice

Accepted Answer

A comma splice uses only a comma between two independent clauses. A comma alone is not strong enough to join two complete sentences.

Question 15

Semicolon rule

Accepted Answer

Use a semicolon to join closely related independent clauses. Both sides must be able to stand as complete sentences.

Question 16

Colon rule

Accepted Answer

Use a colon after a complete sentence to introduce an explanation, list, or example. The words before the colon must form an independent clause.

Question 17

Commas with nonessential information

Accepted Answer

Use commas around information that can be removed without changing the core meaning of the sentence. Do not comma off information needed to identify the noun.

Question 18

Comma after an introductory phrase

Accepted Answer

A comma often follows a long introductory phrase or dependent clause. The comma signals where the main clause begins.

Question 19

Apostrophes for possession

Accepted Answer

For singular nouns, usually add apostrophe-s. For regular plural nouns ending in s, add only an apostrophe. Possessive pronouns like its and theirs do not use apostrophes.

Question 20

Its vs. it's

Accepted Answer

Its is possessive. It's means it is or it has. Substitute it is; if that does not work, use its.

Question 21

Fewer vs. less

Accepted Answer

Use fewer for countable items and less for amounts or quantities not counted individually. Fewer pages, less water.

Question 22

Adjective vs. adverb

Accepted Answer

Adjectives describe nouns. Adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Use well for how an action is performed and good for a noun's quality.

Question 23

That vs. which

Accepted Answer

Use that for essential information and which for nonessential information. Nonessential which clauses are usually set off with commas.

Question 24

Double subject error

Accepted Answer

Do not repeat a subject with an unnecessary pronoun. If the noun phrase already functions as the subject, the sentence should move directly to the verb.

Question 25

ACT concision rule

Accepted Answer

Prefer the shortest answer that is grammatical, precise, and consistent with the passage. Short is not automatically right, but wordy redundancy is usually wrong.

Question 26

Redundant phrasing

Accepted Answer

Eliminate words that repeat the same idea, such as basic fundamentals or future plans. ACT English often tests whether one clear word can replace a bloated phrase.

Question 27

Precision in word choice

Accepted Answer

Choose the word that best fits the exact meaning and context. The most impressive-sounding word is wrong if it changes the author's point or tone.

Question 28

Tone consistency

Accepted Answer

A revision should match the passage's level of formality and attitude. Avoid answers that are suddenly slangy, exaggerated, or overly technical without purpose.

Question 29

Idiomatic prepositions

Accepted Answer

Some words require fixed prepositions, such as capable of, interested in, different from, and responsible for. Choose the conventional pairing.

Question 30

Active vs. passive voice

Accepted Answer

Active voice names the actor directly and is usually clearer. Passive voice can be correct when the actor is unknown or less important than the action.

Question 31

Point of view consistency

Accepted Answer

Keep the same point of view unless the passage clearly shifts. Random movement among I, you, one, and they creates inconsistency.

Question 32

Clear comparisons

Accepted Answer

Make sure the comparison states both sides clearly. Words like more, less, better, and unlike require a logical object of comparison.

Question 33

Affect vs. effect

Accepted Answer

Affect is usually a verb meaning to influence. Effect is usually a noun meaning result. Check how the word functions in the sentence.

Question 34

Transition choice

Accepted Answer

Choose a transition based on the logical relationship: addition, contrast, cause, result, example, or sequence. Do not pick a transition just because it sounds smooth.

Question 35

Combining sentences

Accepted Answer

The best combined sentence preserves meaning while removing repetition. Do not choose a version that creates a modifier error or changes the relationship between ideas.

Question 36

The reason is because

Accepted Answer

Avoid pairing reason with because when it creates redundancy. Use the reason is that, or rewrite with because alone.

Question 37

Ambiguous pronoun

Accepted Answer

A pronoun is ambiguous when it could refer to more than one noun. Replace it with the specific noun if the reader might not know the referent.

Question 38

Topic sentence purpose

Accepted Answer

A topic sentence should introduce the main idea of a paragraph and prepare the reader for the details that follow.

Question 39

Sentence placement questions

Accepted Answer

Place a sentence where it logically connects to the sentence before and after it. Look for repeated nouns, pronouns, chronology, and cause-effect clues.

Question 40

When should a sentence be deleted?

Accepted Answer

Delete a sentence when it is irrelevant, repetitive, contradictory, or too specific for the paragraph's purpose. Keep it only if it supports the main idea.

Question 41

Adding supporting detail

Accepted Answer

Add information that directly supports the claim or clarifies the surrounding sentence. The best detail is relevant, specific, and consistent with the passage.

Question 42

Effective introduction

Accepted Answer

An introduction should orient the reader to the topic and tone. Avoid openings that are too narrow, too broad, or inconsistent with the rest of the passage.

Question 43

Effective conclusion

Accepted Answer

A conclusion should reinforce the passage's central idea without adding unrelated new evidence. It should feel like a logical ending, not a new beginning.

Question 44

Paragraph unity

Accepted Answer

Every sentence in a paragraph should serve the same main idea. A sentence can be grammatically correct and still be wrong if it breaks the paragraph's focus.

Question 45

Transition between paragraphs

Accepted Answer

A paragraph transition should connect the previous paragraph's idea to the new paragraph's purpose. Check both sides before choosing the transition.

Question 46

Author's purpose questions

Accepted Answer

Identify what the writer is trying to do: explain, persuade, describe, compare, contrast, or narrate. The best revision serves that purpose directly.

Question 47

Chronological order

Accepted Answer

When events unfold over time, arrange sentences so the sequence is clear. Date words, cause-effect clues, and pronouns often reveal the correct order.

Question 48

Claim and evidence

Accepted Answer

A claim states the point; evidence supports it with facts, examples, or explanation. If a sentence makes a claim, the surrounding details should back it up.

Question 49

Relevance to the passage focus

Accepted Answer

A detail is relevant only if it advances the passage's main focus or the paragraph's purpose. Interesting but off-topic information should be cut.

Question 50

NO CHANGE strategy

Accepted Answer

Treat NO CHANGE like any other answer choice. Keep the original only if it is grammatical, concise, logical, and consistent with the surrounding passage.

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