Test Prep ACT Test Exam
American College Testing: English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing (Page 21 )

DIRECTIONS: In the passage below, certain phrases are underlined and numbered <x>. The question will present alternatives for the underlined part. In most cases, you are to choose the one that best expresses the idea, makes the statement appropriate for standard written English, or is worded most consistently with the style and tone of the passage as a whole. If you think the original version is the best, choose "NO CHANGE".

The Personality of Superman

[§1] In the original Jerry Siegel and Joel Shuster "Superman" stories, Superman's personality is rough and aggressive. He was seen stepping in to stop wife beaters, profiteers, a lynch mob and gangsters, <1> with rather rough edges and a looser moral code than we may be used to today. In later adventures he became, softer, <2> and had more of a sense of idealism and moral code of conduct. Although not as cold-blooded <3> as the early Batman, the Superman featured in the comics of the 1930s is unconcerned about the harm his strength may cause, tossing villainous characters in such a manner that fatalites <4> would presumably occur, although these were seldom shown explicitly on the page. This came to an end when Superman vowed never to take a life.

[§2] Superman is an extremely moral person, believing it is immoral to kill anyone under any circumstances, and will do whatever he can to avoid it. Clark's upbringing in the Midwest largely contributes to this, as his adoptive parents raised him to do the right thing. <5>

[§3] In Superman/Batman #3, Batman says, "It is a remarkable dichotomy. <6> In many ways, Clark is the most human of us all. Then... he shoots fire from the skies, and it is difficult not to think of him as a god. And how fortunate we all are that it does not occur to him."

[§4] Superman is also a bit of a loner, in that, <7> for much of his life, he doesn't reveal his true identity and powers to anyone, not even his closer friends. <8> Many times they come close to figuring it out on their own, but often he will arrange an elaborate deception to trick them into believing Clark Kent and Superman are entirely separate. He's known to collect mementos <9> of his adventures and his life in the Fortress of Solitude, and has even been known to have wax statues of all his friends their. <10>

<1>:

DIRECTIONS: In the passage below, certain phrases are underlined and numbered <x>. The question will present alternatives for the underlined part. In most cases, you are to choose the one that best expresses the idea, makes the statement appropriate for standard written English, or is worded most consistently with the style and tone of the passage as a whole. If you think the original version is the best, choose "NO CHANGE".

The Real McCoy

[§1] "It's the real McCoy." You might have heard this expression before, but who ­ or what ­ is a McCoy, real or otherwise? The saying has been used for generations to declare its' <1> the genuine article, the original and best. [A] While its origin is disputed, many people believe the expression was inspired by the inventions of a Canadian American engineer named, <2> Elijah McCoy. McCoy, a railroad worker who, as a teenager, had formally studied mechanical engineering, revolutionized railroad and factory operations, affecting both incredibly <3> with his dozens of patented products.

[§2] While working for the Michigan Central Railroad in the 1870s, then <4> McCoy was assigned to work on the wheel bearings and axles of trains. <5> Trains needed to come to a halt after only a few miles of travel so that the moving parts could be oiled by hand ­ a tedious, time-consuming process. McCoy invented a device that released oil while a train was in motion, substantially reducing the number <6> of maintenance stops had the effect of making <7> travel more efficient. [B] This automatic lubricating device became the first of his fifty- seven patents.

[§3] McCoy applied the principles of this invention to other engineering challenges. Factories in the late 1800s, for example, <8> increasingly relied on steam engines to power factory machines. As with trains, therefore <9> many of the machines' parts had to be oiled manually. McCoy, recognizing <10> the similarities between train wheels and factory machines, designed automated oilers for steam engines. These innovations allowed factories to give machines a certain timelessness, <11> increasing factory productivity and, as a result, profits.
<12>

[§4] McCoy's inventions were an instant success. [C] Not surprisingly, other inventors inundated the market with similar ­ and usually inferior ­ devices. [D] Supposedly, factory owners who wanted a product proven to do it <13> would ask if their purchase was "the real McCoy." McCoy's inventions would continue to benefit industries in the United States well into the twentieth century, as his name became synonymous with quality and authenticity. <14>

The question asks about the preceding passage as a whole.

The writer is considering adding the following true statement to the essay:

The imitators expected that the price of their products ­ often significantly lower than the price of McCoy's devices ­ would attract buyers, but price didn't seem to matter most.

If the writer were to add this statement, it would most logically be placed at:

DIRECTIONS: In the passage below, certain phrases are underlined and numbered <x>. The question will present alternatives for the underlined part. In most cases, you are to choose the one that best expresses the idea, makes the statement appropriate for standard written English, or is worded most consistently with the style and tone of the passage as a whole. If you think the original version is the best, choose "NO CHANGE".

Planet Earth's Windiest Observatory

[§1] Step outside into blowing snow, freezing fog, 45 mph winds with hurricane-force gusts, and a -50° Fahrenheit windchill. Welcome to a typical January day at the Mount Washington Observatory. [A] Weather conditions at this facility, which sits atop its <1> namesake's 6,288-foot peak in New Hampshire, has earned <2> the location the nickname "Home of the World's Worst Weather."

[§2] [B] Though somewhat diminutive compared to other mountains, (Colorado's Pikes Peak, <3> for example, is more than twice its height), Mount Washington is the tallest peak in the Presidential Range. <4> The peak stands at the confluence of three major storm tracks, and its steep slopes force <5> rising winds to accelerate. In fact, scientists in 1934 recorded a surface wind speed (of 231 mph): <6> one of the fastest ever recorded.

[§3] In one study, researchers used a laser beam and advanced optical techniques to measure winds. The observatory also keeps detailed weather records that scientists have used to track climate trends and weather patterns. The <7> observatory has also advanced scientists' understanding of clouds, of ice physics, <8> and the atmosphere.

[§4] To conduct all this research, staff are on-site year-round. Observers, who work <9> several twelve-hour shifts over the course of a week. To change personnel in winter, though, <10> crews ascend the mountain in a vehicle, gripping <11> the snow using revolving tracks similar to those on a military tank. Observers go outside every hour to gather data, which they send to the National Weather Service. [C]

[§5] Though isolated, the Mount Washington Observatory offers weather enthusiasts many ways to get involved. The observatory takes volunteers and accepts interns, who assist with research. The <12> bold can take part in educational trips to the summit in winter. [D] For those who are planning to make a trip to Mount Washington, <13> the observatory has a website with live video feeds of the summit.

<1>:

DIRECTIONS: In the passage below, certain phrases are underlined and numbered <x>. The question will present alternatives for the underlined part. In most cases, you are to choose the one that best expresses the idea, makes the statement appropriate for standard written English, or is worded most consistently with the style and tone of the passage as a whole. If you think the original version is the best, choose "NO CHANGE".

Planet Earth's Windiest Observatory

[§1] Step outside into blowing snow, freezing fog, 45 mph winds with hurricane-force gusts, and a -50° Fahrenheit windchill. Welcome to a typical January day at the Mount Washington Observatory. [A] Weather conditions at this facility, which sits atop its <1> namesake's 6,288-foot peak in New Hampshire, has earned <2> the location the nickname "Home of the World's Worst Weather."

[§2] [B] Though somewhat diminutive compared to other mountains, (Colorado's Pikes Peak, <3> for example, is more than twice its height), Mount Washington is the tallest peak in the Presidential Range. <4> The peak stands at the confluence of three major storm tracks, and its steep slopes force <5> rising winds to accelerate. In fact, scientists in 1934 recorded a surface wind speed (of 231 mph): <6> one of the fastest ever recorded.

[§3] In one study, researchers used a laser beam and advanced optical techniques to measure winds. The observatory also keeps detailed weather records that scientists have used to track climate trends and weather patterns. The <7> observatory has also advanced scientists' understanding of clouds, of ice physics, <8> and the atmosphere.

[§4] To conduct all this research, staff are on-site year-round. Observers, who work <9> several twelve-hour shifts over the course of a week. To change personnel in winter, though, <10> crews ascend the mountain in a vehicle, gripping <11> the snow using revolving tracks similar to those on a military tank. Observers go outside every hour to gather data, which they send to the National Weather Service. [C]

[§5] Though isolated, the Mount Washington Observatory offers weather enthusiasts many ways to get involved. The observatory takes volunteers and accepts interns, who assist with research. The <12> bold can take part in educational trips to the summit in winter. [D] For those who are planning to make a trip to Mount Washington, <13> the observatory has a website with live video feeds of the summit.

<2>:

DIRECTIONS: In the passage below, certain phrases are underlined and numbered <x>. The question will present alternatives for the underlined part. In most cases, you are to choose the one that best expresses the idea, makes the statement appropriate for standard written English, or is worded most consistently with the style and tone of the passage as a whole. If you think the original version is the best, choose "NO CHANGE".

Planet Earth's Windiest Observatory

[§1] Step outside into blowing snow, freezing fog, 45 mph winds with hurricane-force gusts, and a -50° Fahrenheit windchill. Welcome to a typical January day at the Mount Washington Observatory. [A] Weather conditions at this facility, which sits atop its <1> namesake's 6,288-foot peak in New Hampshire, has earned <2> the location the nickname "Home of the World's Worst Weather."

[§2] [B] Though somewhat diminutive compared to other mountains, (Colorado's Pikes Peak, <3> for example, is more than twice its height), Mount Washington is the tallest peak in the Presidential Range. <4> The peak stands at the confluence of three major storm tracks, and its steep slopes force <5> rising winds to accelerate. In fact, scientists in 1934 recorded a surface wind speed (of 231 mph): <6> one of the fastest ever recorded.

[§3] In one study, researchers used a laser beam and advanced optical techniques to measure winds. The observatory also keeps detailed weather records that scientists have used to track climate trends and weather patterns. The <7> observatory has also advanced scientists' understanding of clouds, of ice physics, <8> and the atmosphere.

[§4] To conduct all this research, staff are on-site year-round. Observers, who work <9> several twelve-hour shifts over the course of a week. To change personnel in winter, though, <10> crews ascend the mountain in a vehicle, gripping <11> the snow using revolving tracks similar to those on a military tank. Observers go outside every hour to gather data, which they send to the National Weather Service. [C]

[§5] Though isolated, the Mount Washington Observatory offers weather enthusiasts many ways to get involved. The observatory takes volunteers and accepts interns, who assist with research. The <12> bold can take part in educational trips to the summit in winter. [D] For those who are planning to make a trip to Mount Washington, <13> the observatory has a website with live video feeds of the summit.

<3>: