Practice Test 12 - ACT English

20 questions. Answer them in any order, then submit to see your score and every explanation.

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1. A travel article about tide pools warns readers to move slowly and watch where they step. The author describes anemones closing when touched, crabs disappearing under rocks, and sea stars clinging to the sides of boulders. She also recommends visiting with a guide, who can explain which creatures are protected and why collecting shells can harm the habitat. The author ends by urging visitors to take photos, not souvenirs. She writes that after the tide receded we followed a narrow band of wet sand to the largest pool. Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
2. Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
3. A student is writing a blog post about learning a traditional food technique from a grandparent. The draft reads: [1] My grandmother taught me to make yogurt using only milk, a spoonful of starter, and patience. [2] She warmed the milk until it was hot but not boiling, then wrapped the pot in towels to hold the heat steady. [3] After several hours, the mixture thickened and turned pleasantly tangy. [4] She insisted I write down each step, not because the recipe was complicated, but because repeating it would make me confident. [5] She also told me stories about her childhood while we waited. The writer wants to add a sentence at this point that best supports the paragraph's focus on learning the technique (the steps and why they matter). Which choice should replace the underlined sentence?
4. Which choice best maintains the reflective and poetic tone of the essay's conclusion?
5. At the start of the lecture, on the front table next to the microscope, a set of slides sat under a cloth. When the professor lifted the cloth, on the front table next to the microscope were a set of slides that showed the specimen's cells. Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
6. In a journalism workshop, students interviewed local business owners about how they adapted during a recent road construction project. Rowan interviewed a bookstore owner, and Jae interviewed a café owner located across the street. Later, they compared notes and realized both owners mentioned the same city official who had coordinated detours. Their editor asked them to identify the official in the article so readers could understand the source of the information. Rowan wrote, "The city official, whom coordinated the detours, also shared weekly updates," and Jae suggested checking the pronoun choice. Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
7. The following passage is from an informational handout about reducing food waste at home. [1] Most food waste happens gradually, one forgotten ingredient at a time. [2] A simple strategy is to plan two "flex meals" each week—dinners designed to use whatever is already in the refrigerator. [3] For example, leftover vegetables can become a stir-fry, and extra rice can turn into fried rice. [4] Another strategy is to store foods where you can see them, placing older items at the front of the shelf. [5] Some people think reducing waste requires complicated apps or strict meal plans. [6] But the most effective habit is paying attention: checking what you have before shopping and cooking with it first. For the sake of logic and coherence, Sentence [5] should be placed:
8. The school newspaper staff planned a feature on local businesses, and each reporter chose a shop to interview. Amir picked a bakery known for sourdough loaves. He arrived early; and he set up his recorder on a corner table. When the owner finished helping customers, Amir began asking questions. Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
9. Which of the following makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
10. Which of the following makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
11. The following passage is from a student's reflection on volunteering at an animal shelter. [1] On my first day at the shelter, I expected to spend most of my time playing with dogs. [2] Instead, I learned that the quiet work—laundering blankets, refilling water bowls, and cleaning kennels—matters just as much. [3] The staff explained that a predictable routine helps animals feel safe. [4] By the end of my shift, I understood why the shelter runs on checklists. [5] In addition, I began to notice how volunteers communicate with one another. [6] If someone had already walked a dog, they wrote the time on a whiteboard so the next person wouldn't repeat the task. [7] That simple note prevented confusion and gave the dogs a steadier schedule. Which choice provides the most effective transition at the underlined portion in Sentence [5]?
12. We and the neighbors are planning a block party. Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
13. A student is drafting a report on a school's "quiet corners" initiative. The draft reads: [1] To give students a place to reset during busy days, our school created quiet corners in the library and two hallways. [2] Each corner includes soft lighting, a few chairs, and a small shelf of puzzles and sketch paper. [3] Teachers can offer a short pass so students can take a five-minute break and return to class ready to focus. [4] Some students like loud pep rallies, and others do not. [5] After the first month, several teachers reported fewer disruptions during independent work time. The writer wants Sentence 4 to provide relevant support for the claim that quiet corners help students refocus. Which choice best replaces the underlined sentence?
14. Which choice provides the most logical transition at this point in the passage?
15. Read the following two-paragraph passage. The hiking club planned a route along the river, choosing a path with gentle slopes so that new members could keep up. Before leaving, the leader reviewed the map, pointed out the turnaround spot, and reminded everyone to carry out any trash they found. Meanwhile, the club's planning didn't end once the hike began. Two experienced hikers walked at the back to make sure no one fell behind, and the leader paused at intersections to confirm the group's direction. At the end, members compared notes about which sections were muddy so they could adjust the next route. Which choice provides the most effective transition at the beginning of the second paragraph?
16. The pair of shoes is on sale this weekend.
17. A city council candidate visited a local farmers' market to talk with residents about transportation. Several shoppers mentioned that bus stops were too far from the market entrance, making it difficult to carry groceries. The candidate took notes and later summarized the conversation on her website. She wrote that she would make an effort to try to propose a new bus route. Which choice is the clearest and most concise?
18. During a community science night, Maya explains how her team tracked moths in a city park. They recorded the temperature, the time of day, and the number of moths near each lamp. The data were messy at first, but a pattern emerged. Maya summarized their conclusion in her report: Warmer evenings brought more moths; cooler evenings brought fewer. Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
19. Given that all are true, which choice maintains the formal tone established earlier? The museum's exhibit description explains how early astronomers recorded the movement of planets using repeated observations. The text aims to inform visitors clearly and objectively, using precise terms rather than casual commentary. It notes that these records were super helpful for later scientists developing predictive models.
20. In an economics club meeting, members debated whether a city should subsidize public transit. Keisha argued that subsidies could increase ridership, while Omar worried about how the city would fund the program. Their advisor asked them to summarize the debate in a short note for the school newsletter. Keisha drafted the note and tried to sound formal by referring to herself in the third person, but she accidentally shifted perspective. The draft said, "When you consider the budget, we can see why Omar raised concerns," and the advisor asked her to keep the pronouns consistent. Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?

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