ACT English › Modifier-Word Modified Countability Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Abruptly, Mrs. Soble addressed her class, "Everyone, please take out a bit of pieces of paper for the impromptu dictation."
some
few
less
more
NO CHANGE
This question requires the reader to find an countable modifier that correctly quantifies the noun "pieces," since "pieces" is, indeed, a countable noun. "Some" can be used for countable and uncountable nouns, and is the correct answer in this case.
The rainforest in Borneo which is home to a declining orangutan population is in danger because of the slash and burn agriculture practices of palm oil plantations. As a student of environmental science and policy, I had the opportunity to travel to Borneo with a team of scientists and learn more about the situation. It was my first time visiting the rainforest, and I was excited to hike, camp, and learning. At night, we cooked dinner over a small camp stove, but during the day we ate plants along the trail. The biologists'sextensive training in botany helped them identify which plants were edible during their trek through the rainforest. I felt very fortunate to see this beautiful, endangered forest. One of the scientists told me that much of the trails in the forest are impassable during the rainy season.
After a few days of trekking, we arrived in a part of the forest that was supposed to be a protected area. However, the local minister of forestry was known for catering to the wishes of large palm oil plantation owners. The minister was determined to support the lucrative palm oil industry, irregardless of the costs. Consequently, he had recently allowed the area’s largest company to conduct slash-and-burn farming within the boundaries of the protected area. The scientists told me that these practices not only harmed orangutan habitats, and they contributed to global warming by releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide when peat burns on the forest floor.
Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded and underlined portion of the passage. If the bolded and underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Many of the trails
NO CHANGE
Much trails
More of the trails
Alot of the trails
When you can count something (in this case, number of trails) use "many" rather than "much." "Alot" is incorrect because it is not one word-it is spelled "a lot." "More" is incorrect in this case because it implies a comparison and there is nothing being compared in this sentence.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
I ordered four coffee at the counter before picking out a muffin.
I ordered four cups of coffee
NO CHANGE
I ordered several coffee
I ordered many coffee
I ordered a few cups coffee
"Coffee" is a substance, which is usually considered uncountable ("coffee keeps me up all night"), but "coffee" can also be used countably if paired with a measurement. In this case,"cups" works to make coffee countable.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Without a great number of guidance, Michael was able to put the crib together himself.
much
NO CHANGE
many
fewer
numerous
This question requires the reader to find a quantifying modifier that correctly quantifies the noun "guidance." "Guidance" is uncountable, therefore the countable modifier a "a great number of" is incorrect, and should be replaced with the countable modifier "much."
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
A large amount of animals are nocturnal, meaning they sleep during the day and feed at night.
Plenty of
NO CHANGE
Litte of
Few of
Much of
This question requires the reader to find a quantifying modifier for the word "animals." Animals are countable, therefore the use of the uncountable modifier "a large amount of" is incorrect. "Plenty of" and "Few of" are both possible options, but "plenty of" more closely fits with the original context and meaning of the sentence.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the passage. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
The farmer's market attracts all sorts of customers every week, including regulars as well as newcomers. By now, I know a great deal of their faces, but I'm terrible at recalling their names.
many of
none of
a little of
a great amount of
NO CHANGE.
This questions requires the reader decide whether the quantifying modifier "a great deal of" is properly used to modify "faces." Faces can be counted, therefore we must choose an alternative that is a countable modifier. The only possible options would be "many of" or "none of" for that reason. "None of" can be used for countable or uncountable nouns. Between these two, only "many of" works in the context of this passage.
Are much of your students doing well in physics this year? If not you should definitely try our new computing/studying software, which can increase students' performance sevenfold!
Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded and underlined portion of the passage. If the bolded and underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
many
NO CHANGE
a great deal
part
portion
This question asks you to correct an agreement error in countability between the modifier and the word being modified. The noun being modified, "students," is countable. Therefore, we must use a countable modifier like "many," not an uncountable modifier like "much," "part," or "a great deal."
Adapted from The Life of Christopher Columbus by Edward Everett Hale (1891 G. L. Howe and Co. ed.)
Santa Fe was half camp, half city. It had been built in what is called the Vega, the great fruitful plain which extends for much miles to the westward of Grenada. The court and army were here as they pressed their attack on that city. Perez de Marchena had ready access to Queen Isabella, and pressed his suit well. He was supported by one of her favorites, the Marquesa de Moya. In reply to their solicitations, she asked that Columbus should return to her, and ordered that twenty thousand maravedis should be sent to him for his traveling expenses.This sum was immediately sent by Perez to his friend. Columbus bought a mule, exchanged his worn clothes for better ones, and started, as he was bidden, for the camp.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the passage. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
many
NO CHANGE.
a great deal of
a large amount of
mostly
This question requires the reader to fix the modifier of the noun "miles." Miles are countable; therefore, the quantifying modifier must also be appropriate for countable nouns. The only quantifier that can be used with countable nouns here is "many." "Mostly" is an adverb and is ungrammatical.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Dr. Brown spent many hours hunched over bee hives, watching the insects leave and return to their nest.
NO CHANGE
much
little
large
plenty
This question requires the reader to choose the modifier of the word "hours." "Hours" is a plural, countable noun, therefore we must use a quantifying modifier that is appropriate for countable nouns. From the option choices, "many" is the only appropriate countable modifier. "Plenty" can also be used to modify countable nouns; however, it must be paired with the word "of" to be appropriate.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Are there a bit of cupcakes on the counter for the birthday party? We are expecting 35 guests and I want to make sure everyone gets one.
enough
much
little
more of
NO CHANGE
"Cupcakes" are countable, therefore an uncountable modifier (i.e. a little, a bit, a great amount of, a great deal of) cannot be used. "Enough" can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns, and is the most appropriate option to replace the underlined portion.