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Test Prep ACT Test Exam
American College Testing: English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing (Page 8 )

Updated On: 1-Feb-2026
Page 8 of 209
PDF with 1039 Questions

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".

Lightning in the Sand

[§1] As my friend Anna and I walked the sand dunes of southeastern New Mexico, she told me that she hoped we'd find a fulgurite, one as translucent white as the southeastern New Mexico sands around us. <1> A fulgurite ­ whose name stems from the Latin word fulgur, which means "thunderbolt" ­ is a hollow silica glass tube formed when lightning strikes sand. A fulgurite is created in one explosive second by fusion and pressure as sand heated by a lightning blast melts, <2> and becomes glass. Commonly called "petrified lightning," a fulgurite places <3> the shape of a miniature lightning bolt into the earth, often branching deep into the ground.

[§2] Anna told me that I had possibly seen a small fragment of a fulgurite before, without realizing I had, on a beach. She explained though that even experts <4> are rarely able to locate a fully intact fulgurite. The thin, brittle glass tubes break easily. <5> Occasionally, after strong, sustained winds have shifted desert sands, while <6> an unbroken, previously buried fulgurite will be revealed, showing as a tube protruding from the ground. <7> I scanned the area, hopeful that I'd see a tube newly uncovered. <8> Anna made clear that we'd be lucky to come upon a small piece of fulgurite, just a few inches long.

[§3] Anna had shown me fulgurites she had found on other trips. Their colors ranged from black to brown to green, corresponding to the color of the sand in which she had discovered them. I wasn't surprised that I'd never recognized fulgurites on any beach: no one had ever told me what to look for <9> Their interiors, though, are smooth, clear glass stained <10> with tiny bubbles trapped formed by air and moisture <11> during the rapid cooling of the melted sand after the
lightning strike.

[§4] We continued exploring the dunes. Anna laughed and said we needed only to stop at the local gift shop to unearth <12> our treasure. <13> But given our <14> luck finding fulgurites in deserts and on beaches, <15> she wanted to keep searching to find our own piece of bright, white lightning in the sand.

<12>:

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. for having unearthed
  3. that would unearth
  4. unearthing

Answer(s): A



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".

Mystery Paper Sculptor

[§1] Between March and November of 2011, an anonymous donor left intricately <1> crafted paper sculptures at various cultural institutions in Edinburgh, Scotland. Delighted, each sculpture was left secretly and was later discovered by staff. <2> The delicate sculptures ­ streetscapes, plants, and animals ­ were carved exclusively from the pages and bindings of books. The tiny details in the pieces are awe-inspiring.

[§2] The first sculpture discovered ­ at the Scottish Poetry Library ­ was a tiny tree formed from a book of verse. Library staff dubbed <3> it the "poetree." The tree sits atop a book. Beneath the tree are the halves of a golden paper egg, each half filled with words clipped from the poem "A Trace of Wings" by Edwin Morgan. At Edinburgh's Filmhouse Cinema, a three-dimensional sculpted scene <4> shows patrons sitting in a movie theater as horse leaps <5> out of the screen. At the Scottish Storytelling Centre, a dragon crafted from the pages <6> of a mystery novel was found nesting in a window. At the National Museum of Scotland, a paper tail was spotted emerging from the spine of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's book The Lost World. Inside, a dinosaur charges through shredded pages of the open book. More creations appeared at more than a few additional places where literature and artifacts are related to <7> books and writing. Therefore, <8> a total of ten sculptures were bestowed on special institutions, whose staff are thrilled by their luck.

[§3] The creator of these sculptures are <9> not known because no one has claimed responsibility. So far, that is. The last gift came with a note in which the mystery artist reveals her gender. Whatever: whoever <10> created the art, your <11> intention is clear. Each gift came with a note expressing special gratitude <12> for "libraries, books, words, ideas." <13>

[§4] Ironically, the creator of these exquisite sculptures who destroyed books <14> ­ cutting them up with <15> refashioning them into elaborate works of art ­ as "a tiny gesture in support of the special places." The mystery artist celebrated the magic of those places and, at the same time, made some magic.

<12>:

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. note of gratitude expressing special gratefulness and thanks
  3. thank-you note on each one expressing special thanks
  4. thankful note expressing special thanks

Answer(s): A



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".

Mystery Paper Sculptor

[§1] Between March and November of 2011, an anonymous donor left intricately <1> crafted paper sculptures at various cultural institutions in Edinburgh, Scotland. Delighted, each sculpture was left secretly and was later discovered by staff. <2> The delicate sculptures ­ streetscapes, plants, and animals ­ were carved exclusively from the pages and bindings of books. The tiny details in the pieces are awe-inspiring.

[§2] The first sculpture discovered ­ at the Scottish Poetry Library ­ was a tiny tree formed from a book of verse. Library staff dubbed <3> it the "poetree." The tree sits atop a book. Beneath the tree are the halves of a golden paper egg, each half filled with words clipped from the poem "A Trace of Wings" by Edwin Morgan. At Edinburgh's Filmhouse Cinema, a three-dimensional sculpted scene <4> shows patrons sitting in a movie theater as horse leaps <5> out of the screen. At the Scottish Storytelling Centre, a dragon crafted from the pages <6> of a mystery novel was found nesting in a window. At the National Museum of Scotland, a paper tail was spotted emerging from the spine of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's book The Lost World. Inside, a dinosaur charges through shredded pages of the open book. More creations appeared at more than a few additional places where literature and artifacts are related to <7> books and writing. Therefore, <8> a total of ten sculptures were bestowed on special institutions, whose staff are thrilled by their luck.

[§3] The creator of these sculptures are <9> not known because no one has claimed responsibility. So far, that is. The last gift came with a note in which the mystery artist reveals her gender. Whatever: whoever <10> created the art, your <11> intention is clear. Each gift came with a note expressing special gratitude <12> for "libraries, books, words, ideas." <13>

[§4] Ironically, the creator of these exquisite sculptures who destroyed books <14> ­ cutting them up with <15> refashioning them into elaborate works of art ­ as "a tiny gesture in support of the special places." The mystery artist celebrated the magic of those places and, at the same time, made some magic.

<10>:

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. Disregarding the unknown identity of the person who
  3. Without consideration of or concern about whoever
  4. Regardless of who

Answer(s): D



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".

Rio de Janeiro

[§1] Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is a fantastic place to visit. It's alarming <1> that Rio is called the "Wonderful City." Beaches, mountains, and forests await its visitors, who can tour for days and still not experience everything the city has to offer. When I visit, I always have a great time with my boyfriend. <2> At the end of a busy day exploring nature, gloomy <3> travelers can unwind at one of the beachfront hotspots for coconut water and live samba music.

[§2] Rio's most famed attractions are Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer statue. However, <4> these destinations welcome over 2.8 million international tourists each year. Sugarloaf Mountain is located in the city's south zone right near to the vast Atlantic Ocean. <5> Its peak is at 1300 feet, and accessible by two cable cars that take less than five minutes to arrive. Visitors enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of Rio, and can shop or dine at several locations on the mountain.

[§3] (1) Christ the Redeemer stands on the Corcovado Mountain, recently named one of the new seven wonders of the world. (2) With arms outstretched, the concrete Christ was built between 1922 and 1931, to resemble embracing the people of Rio. (3) Millions of tourists recreate the attraction by taking photos on its pedestal with their own arms outstretched. (4) The statue's pedestal is over 26 feet high, while the statue itself is nearly 100 feet <6>

[§4] There are so many amazing sites to see! <7> Fort Copacabana is a military base and history museum that sits at the south end of Copacabana beach and divides the neighborhood from Ipanema. Visitors explored <8> galleries filled with original military memorabilia from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. There are also exhibits featuring indigenous artwork from some of Brazil's 2000 native tribes. These relics are important for Brazilian history, and tourists are nevertheless blown away <9> at their historical significance.

[§5] Another great place to visit, and for learning about Brazilian history <10> is the Botanical Gardens, built in 1808 by King John VI of Portugal. Children especially enjoy this 346-acre park, which is home to 6500 species of plants and trees and 140 species of birds. Kid-friendly areas are designated for picnics and games, and monkeys that roam the grounds often entertain children by swinging from tree to tree or rummaging for leftover food in the park's trash bins. <11>

[§6] After a busy day of sightseeing Rio's natural settings, because <12> tourists sit at beachfront drink stands and enjoy coconut water sipped from the fruit. Local musicians wander the sands playing Brazilian samba music each night. The sounds of tamborims, surdos, and agogos delight visitors, who, dance <13> all night long to the sounds <14> under the Copacabana moonlight.

<12>:

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. even though
  3. thus,
  4. OMIT the underlined portion

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

D is the correct answer because of transitions. This sentence does not need a transition word. The comma functions correctly without a transition word.



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".

Rio de Janeiro

[§1] Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is a fantastic place to visit. It's alarming <1> that Rio is called the "Wonderful City." Beaches, mountains, and forests await its visitors, who can tour for days and still not experience everything the city has to offer. When I visit, I always have a great time with my boyfriend. <2> At the end of a busy day exploring nature, gloomy <3> travelers can unwind at one of the beachfront hotspots for coconut water and live samba music.

[§2] Rio's most famed attractions are Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer statue. However, <4> these destinations welcome over 2.8 million international tourists each year. Sugarloaf Mountain is located in the city's south zone right near to the vast Atlantic Ocean. <5> Its peak is at 1300 feet, and accessible by two cable cars that take less than five minutes to arrive. Visitors enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of Rio, and can shop or dine at several locations on the mountain.

[§3] (1) Christ the Redeemer stands on the Corcovado Mountain, recently named one of the new seven wonders of the world. (2) With arms outstretched, the concrete Christ was built between 1922 and 1931, to resemble embracing the people of Rio. (3) Millions of tourists recreate the attraction by taking photos on its pedestal with their own arms outstretched. (4) The statue's pedestal is over 26 feet high, while the statue itself is nearly 100 feet <6>

[§4] There are so many amazing sites to see! <7> Fort Copacabana is a military base and history museum that sits at the south end of Copacabana beach and divides the neighborhood from Ipanema. Visitors explored <8> galleries filled with original military memorabilia from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. There are also exhibits featuring indigenous artwork from some of Brazil's 2000 native tribes. These relics are important for Brazilian history, and tourists are nevertheless blown away <9> at their historical significance.

[§5] Another great place to visit, and for learning about Brazilian history <10> is the Botanical Gardens, built in 1808 by King John VI of Portugal. Children especially enjoy this 346-acre park, which is home to 6500 species of plants and trees and 140 species of birds. Kid-friendly areas are designated for picnics and games, and monkeys that roam the grounds often entertain children by swinging from tree to tree or rummaging for leftover food in the park's trash bins. <11>

[§6] After a busy day of sightseeing Rio's natural settings, because <12> tourists sit at beachfront drink stands and enjoy coconut water sipped from the fruit. Local musicians wander the sands playing Brazilian samba music each night. The sounds of tamborims, surdos, and agogos delight visitors, who, dance <13> all night long to the sounds <14> under the Copacabana moonlight.

<13>:

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. visitors: who dance
  3. visitors who dance,
  4. visitors, who dance

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

D is the correct answer because of commas. Commas signal a pause in this sentence between visitors and who. A, B, and C are incorrect.



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