ACT English Strategies
What does CCC stand for? Explain each C.
Clear, Consistent, Concise
Alfred quickly was following in his father’s footsteps.
f. NO CHANGE
g. followed in
h. was followed by
j. followed by
g. followed in
Which choice provides the most detailed image?
A new subdivision of homes built on a once thickly wooded plot of land often devastates the natural beauty of the entire area.
f. NO CHANGE
g. treed
h. woodsy
j. wooded
f. NO CHANGE
What strategy is used here?
When considering the large, heavy equipment used at construction sites…
a. NO CHANGE
b. largely heavy
c. large heavily
d. heavy, largely
Embrace NO CHANGE & Sounds Right, Is Right
a. NO CHANGE
In little time, Nobel dynamite became useful to consumers, but he continued to work on many other inventions and products.
f. NO CHANGE
g. Nobels' dynamite
h. Nobel’s dynamite
j. OMIT the underlined portion
We DO NOT omit!
h. Nobel’s dynamite
This strategy asks you to use prior knowledge.
What is Sounds Right, Is Right?
There he discovered some way to control how dynamite is detonated.
a. NO CHANGE
b. the way that
c. a way
d. how that
c. a way
Nobel was a scholar who had great interest in literature, poetry, and social issues.
Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion would NOT be acceptable?
a. much interest in non-scientific areas.
b. great interest in subjects other that chemistry, his main area of study.
c. interesting literature, poetry, and social issues.
d. a healthy interest in other areas, such as literature and poetry.
c. interesting literature, poetry, and social issues.
What strategy is used here?
It is easy to understand why they choose to flatten the land and start over with new plantings.
f. NO CHANGE
g. some builders
h. some of them
j. some
CCC
g. some builders
Many builders, however, will take great care to maintain as much of the natural landscape as possible by keeping mature trees untouched when possible.
f. NO CHANGE
g. as is possible
h. whenever possible
j. OMIT the underlined portion
We DO omit.
j. OMIT the underlined portion
This strategy has punctuation that is interchangeable. Explain the strategy.
What is Replace Semicolons with Periods?
On December 10 each year, corresponding to Nobel’s date of death, these esteemed prizes are awarded to people from all over the world.
f. NO CHANGE
g. Nobels date
h. Nobels’ date
j. Nobel’s dates
f. NO CHANGE
The writer wishes to include another example of the dangers of dynamite during Nobel’s time. Which of the following true sentences, if inserted here, would best fulfill that goal?
f. Even today, safety precautions are required when working with dynamite.
g. Dynamite has many uses, from excavating for natural resources to imploding decayed buildings.
h. Many other less serious explosions also occurred in Nobel’s laboratory, and grave danger was ever-present.
j. As a volatile liquid substance, nitroglycerin is highly explosive.
h. Many other less serious explosions also occurred in Nobel’s laboratory, and grave danger was ever-present.
What strategy is used here?
Nobel moved his lab out of the city and onto a barge in nearby lake.
f. NO CHANGE
g. and took it out of the city
h. removing it out of the city
j. from out of the city
Embrace NO CHANGE & CCC
f. NO CHANGE
Esteemed prizes are awarded to people from over the worldwide.
a. NO CHANGE
b. everywhere, worldwide.
c. all over the world.
d. OMIT the underlined portion.
We DO NOT omit.
c. all over the world.
This strategy is used when the question asks, “Which choice offers the best introduction?”
What is Most Valuable Phrase (MVP)?
Tree roots typically lie close to the surface of the soil and extends way beyond the circumference of the tree’s canopy.
a. NO CHANGE
b. does extend
c. extend
d. will extend
c. extend
Compacting soil around the vital roots with the heavy equipment may destroy the tree as well,…
The writer wishes to conclude this sentence with a phrase that would continue the explanation of the importance of a tree’s root system. Which choice would best accomplish this?
f. since it is through the roots that the tree receives necessary oxygen, water, and minerals.
g. since roots are so important to the health of the tree.
h. since the tree cannot survive with damaged roots.
j. since roots are only one part of a tree’s system.
f. since it is through the roots that the tree receives necessary oxygen, water, and minerals.
Compacting soil around the vital roots with the heavy equipment, may destroy the tree as well,…
a. NO CHANGE
b. equipment may destroy
c. equipment may destroy,
d. equipment; may destroy
When in Doubt, Commas Out
b. equipment may destroy