Examkin

All practice questions

5556 questions

All types5,556Multiple choice4,015True / False124Numeric541Matching290Ordering294Fill in the blank292
Question 181Question →

Hokusai, the legendary Japanese artist, is best known for his iconic woodblock print *The Great Wave off Kanagawa*. However, his impact extends far beyond a single masterpiece, as he was a prolific creator who produced tens of thousands of works throughout his long life. He constantly sought to refine his technique, and he even renamed himself multiple times to mark new phases in his career.

Which of the following choices is the most grammatically correct version of the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: technique, and he even renamed

Answer

The original phrasing 'technique, and he even renamed' is correct because it properly connects two independent clauses with a comma and the coordinating conjunction 'and'.
The original phrasing correctly joins two independent clauses ('He constantly sought to refine his technique' and 'he even renamed himself...') using a comma followed by the coordinating conjunction 'and'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the structure of the clauses surrounding the underlined portion.
The clause before the comma ('He constantly sought to refine his technique') and the clause after it ('he even renamed himself...') are both independent clauses that can stand alone as complete sentences.
Identifying whether the clauses are independent or dependent is necessary to determine the correct punctuation and conjunctions needed.
2
Evaluate the options to find the correct method of joining these independent clauses.
Two independent clauses must be joined using a comma and a coordinating conjunction, a semicolon alone, or separated into two distinct sentences.
This avoids common grammatical errors such as comma splices, run-on sentences, and fragments.

Key Concept

Subordination and Coordination
Question 182Question →

Complete the sentence below by typing the possessive pronoun that correctly agrees with its antecedent under standard written English conventions.

Fill in the blanks below

Each of the international research organizations that monitored the retreat of the glaciers in the Patagonia region was eager to publish independent findings in the annual climatology report.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

its
The correct pronoun is the singular possessive 'its' because it agrees with the singular indefinite pronoun 'Each', which is the true antecedent of the sentence. The plural noun 'organizations' inside the modifying prepositional phrase does not affect the grammatical number of the subject.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the subject and antecedent of the pronoun in the sentence.
The subject and antecedent is the singular indefinite pronoun 'Each'.
The prepositional phrase 'of the international research organizations' modifies 'Each' but does not change its singular grammatical number.
2
Determine the correct grammatical number and person for the pronoun that must fill the blank.
The pronoun must be singular and third-person to agree with 'Each'.
A pronoun must agree in number (singular/plural) and person with its antecedent.
3
Select the correct possessive pronoun to complete the phrase 'independent findings'.
The singular possessive pronoun is 'its'.
Since the antecedent 'Each' is singular and refers to inanimate organizations, the singular third-person possessive pronoun 'its' is required.

Key Concept

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns
Question 183Question →

To prepare for the deep-sea expedition, the marine biologists needed to calibrate their sonar equipment, test the water pressure chambers, and gathering core sediment samples. Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion is correct?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: gather

Answer

gather
The correct option 'gather' maintains parallel structure in the sentence's infinitive list. The sentence establishes a series of actions that the biologists needed to perform: 'to calibrate...', '[to] test...', and '[to] gather...'. Using the base verb form matches the preceding verbs in the series.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the grammatical structure of the items in the list.
The list follows the infinitive marker 'to' and includes the base verbs 'calibrate' and 'test'.
Parallel structure requires that all items in a list share the same grammatical form.
2
Evaluate the underlined verb 'gathering' against the other items.
The verb 'gathering' is a gerund, which does not match the base verb forms 'calibrate' and 'test'.
A gerund cannot be parallel with base verbs in a simple infinitive series.
3
Select the option that matches the base verb form of the first two list items.
The option 'gather' is a base verb and perfectly completes the parallel sequence: to calibrate, [to] test, and [to] gather.
Using the base verb form restores grammatical parallelism to the sentence.

Key Concept

Parallel Structure in Lists
Estimated Time:45s
Question 184Question →

Which pronoun should be placed in the blank to ensure correct pronoun-antecedent agreement in the sentence below?

Fill in the blanks below

The astronomers spent months gathering data, but the director of the observatory doubted findings.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

their
The pronoun 'their' is correct because it is a plural possessive pronoun that correctly agrees in number with the plural noun antecedent 'astronomers'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the antecedent that the pronoun in the blank refers to.
The antecedent is 'astronomers'.
A pronoun must agree in number (singular or plural) with the antecedent it replaces.
2
Determine the number of the antecedent and select the corresponding possessive pronoun.
The antecedent 'astronomers' is a plural noun, so the plural possessive pronoun 'their' is required.
Using a singular possessive pronoun would create a pronoun-antecedent agreement error.

Key Concept

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Estimated Time:45s
Question 185Question →

Which form of the verb 'catalog' correctly completes the sentence to maintain parallel structure?

Fill in the blanks below

During the excavation of the ancient ruins, the archaeologists spent their mornings uncovering pottery shards, mapping the layout of the foundation, and their discoveries in detailed logs.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

cataloging (or cataloguing)
To maintain parallel structure, the elements of a list must share the same grammatical form. In this sentence, the list consists of three actions: 'uncovering,' 'mapping,' and the blank. Since the first two actions are present participles (verbs ending in -ing), the final action must also be a present participle. The present participle form of the verb 'catalog' is 'cataloging' (or 'cataloguing').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the items in the list and analyze their grammatical structure.
The first two items in the series are 'uncovering pottery shards' and 'mapping the layout of the foundation.' Both of these begin with a present participle (a verb ending in -ing).
Parallel structure requires that all items in a list or series follow the same grammatical pattern.
2
Determine the necessary grammatical form for the final item in the list.
The final item must also begin with a present participle to match 'uncovering' and 'mapping.'
Using a different verb form would break the grammatical consistency of the list.
3
Convert the base verb 'catalog' into its present participle form.
The present participle form is 'cataloging' (or 'cataloguing' in British English).
This aligns the final verb with the established parallel pattern.

Key Concept

Parallel Structure
Question 186Question →

The following passage is an excerpt from an essay about the history of urban planning.

In the mid-nineteenth century, urban reformers championed the creation of public parks to provide green spaces for city dwellers. These parks, which were envisioned as places of social harmony. They allowed residents to escape the crowded, industrial environment of the era.

Which choice best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: These parks, which were envisioned as places of social harmony,

Answer

The correct choice is the phrase that turns the fragment into a single, cohesive sentence by setting off the dependent clause with commas: 'These parks, which were envisioned as places of social harmony,'.
The correct answer successfully connects the subject 'These parks' with the verb 'allowed' by setting off the relative clause 'which were envisioned as places of social harmony' with commas. This resolves the sentence fragment in the original text and creates a single, grammatically complete sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the underlined portion and the surrounding context to identify the grammatical issue.
The first statement, 'These parks, which were envisioned as places of social harmony,' is a fragment because it lacks a main verb.
A complete sentence requires at least one independent clause containing a subject and a verb.
2
Evaluate the proposed options to see which one eliminates the fragment while maintaining proper punctuation and structure.
The option containing 'These parks, which were envisioned as places of social harmony,' connects this phrase to the verb 'allowed' in the next clause, forming a single grammatically correct sentence.
By removing the period and the pronoun 'They,' the sentence correctly uses a relative clause to modify 'These parks' and links it to the main verb 'allowed.'

Key Concept

Sentence Fragments
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 187Question →

During the late nineteenth century, inventor Lewis Latimer played a crucial role in the development of electric lighting. While Thomas Edison is famous for creating the first commercial light bulb, his early paper filaments burned out after only a few hours. Since these paper filaments were fragile, Latimer patented a method for manufacturing durable carbon filaments that lasted significantly longer.

Which of the following options is the grammatically correct way to write the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: NO CHANGE

Answer

The correct answer is the option that keeps the original wording, which correctly uses a subordinating conjunction to form an introductory dependent clause followed by a comma and an independent clause.
The correct option preserves the original sentence, which starts with the dependent clause 'Since these paper filaments were fragile'. An introductory dependent clause must be followed by a comma to correctly connect it to the main independent clause.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the clause structures in the underlined portion and the surrounding sentence.
The clause 'Since these paper filaments were fragile' is a dependent clause because it begins with the subordinating conjunction 'Since'. The clause 'Latimer patented a method...' is an independent clause because it can stand alone as a complete sentence.
Recognizing dependent and independent clauses is essential for determining correct punctuation and conjunction use.
2
Apply the punctuation rule for connecting an introductory dependent clause to an independent clause.
When a dependent clause introduces a sentence, it must be followed by a comma before the independent clause begins.
This avoids sentence fragments, comma splices, and incorrect semicolon usage.

Key Concept

Subordination and Coordination
Question 188Question →

The primary source documents of the early Mesopotamian dynasties are far more difficult for modern scholars to translate than ancient Egyptian scribes, who utilized a much more standardized writing system.

Which of the following options makes the comparison in the sentence logical and grammatically correct?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: those of ancient Egyptian scribes

Answer

The option that replaces the underlined phrase with 'those of ancient Egyptian scribes' is the correct answer.
The correct option correctly uses the plural pronoun phrase 'those of' to refer back to 'primary source documents,' making a logical comparison between the documents of the Mesopotamian dynasties and those of the Egyptian scribes. It also preserves the relative pronoun 'who' to connect the dependent clause, maintaining correct sentence structure.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the elements being compared in the sentence.
The sentence attempts to compare 'The primary source documents of the early Mesopotamian dynasties' (plural noun phrase) with 'ancient Egyptian scribes' (plural noun referring to people).
Establishing what is being compared helps identify whether the comparison is logical and grammatically parallel.
2
Determine if the comparison is logical.
Comparing documents to people is illogical. The sentence must compare documents of the Mesopotamian dynasties to the documents of the Egyptian scribes.
ACT English requires comparisons to be between similar categories of nouns.
3
Evaluate the grammar of the pronoun and clauses.
Since 'documents' is plural, the pronoun 'those' (plural) must be used. Additionally, the subsequent clause is dependent ('who utilized...'), which means relative pronoun 'who' is required to avoid a comma splice or fragment.
Ensuring proper pronoun agreement and sentence structure prevents grammatical errors like comma splices and punctuation fragments.

Key Concept

Illogical and Incomplete Comparisons
Question 189Question →

The following passage contains an underlined portion.

Deep-sea hydrothermal vents, first discovered in 1977 near the Galápagos Rift, support thriving ecosystems in complete darkness. These communities, relying on chemosynthetic bacteria that convert toxic hydrogen sulfide into organic matter. This process forms the foundation of a food web entirely independent of sunlight.

Which of the following choices represents the most grammatically correct revision of the underlined portion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: These communities rely on chemosynthetic bacteria that convert toxic hydrogen sulfide into organic matter. This

Answer

The option that changes the participle 'relying' to the finite verb 'rely' and uses a period to separate the two independent clauses.
The correct choice changes the participle 'relying' to the finite verb 'rely,' which provides the verb needed to make the first clause a complete independent sentence. It also uses a period to correctly separate this sentence from the next independent sentence starting with 'This process.'

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the underlined portion to see if it forms a complete sentence.
The subject is 'These communities', but the only verb-like word in the clause is the participle 'relying', which cannot act as a main verb. This leaves the clause as an ungrammatical sentence fragment.
A complete sentence requires both a subject and a finite verb to express a complete thought.
2
Evaluate the choices to find which one corrects the fragment.
Changing the participle 'relying' to the finite verb 'rely' provides the necessary verb to make 'These communities rely on...' a complete independent clause.
The main clause must contain a finite verb to resolve the fragment.
3
Verify that the punctuation between the new independent clause and the next independent clause is correct.
Separating the two independent clauses with a period is grammatically correct. Joining them with a comma creates a comma splice, and using a semicolon after a dependent clause starting with 'which' creates a fragment.
Independent clauses must be separated by a period, a semicolon, or a coordinating conjunction with a comma.

Key Concept

Recognizing and correcting sentence fragments by ensuring clauses have finite verbs, and separating independent clauses with appropriate punctuation.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 190Question →

In 1915, mathematician Emmy Noether formulated a theorem that would fundamentally link symmetry in physics with conservation laws. [1] Although her colleagues, David Hilbert and Felix Klein, recognized the immense value of her work, but they could not secure her a paid position at the University of Göttingen due to institutional prejudices against women.

Which of the following choices best replaces the underlined portion to ensure the sentence is grammatically correct and logically coherent?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Although her colleagues, David Hilbert and Felix Klein, recognized the immense value of her work, they could not

Answer

The choice that begins with the subordinating conjunction 'Although' and separates the dependent clause from the independent clause with a comma, without using a coordinating conjunction like 'but'.
The correct answer establishes a clear subordinate relationship by using the subordinating conjunction 'Although' at the beginning of the sentence and separating the dependent clause from the main independent clause with a comma, avoiding redundant coordinating conjunctions.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the relationship between the two clauses: 'her colleagues... recognized the immense value of her work' and 'they could not secure her a paid position'.
The relationship is contrastive, indicating that a subordinating conjunction ('Although') or coordinating conjunction ('but' / 'yet') should connect them, but not both.
Using both a subordinating conjunction and a coordinating conjunction to connect two clauses is grammatically redundant.
2
Analyze the structure of the choices to eliminate ungrammatical options.
The original text contains a double-conjunction error. The option without 'Although' and with a comma creates a comma splice. The option with a semicolon before 'although' creates a fragment.
Independent clauses cannot be joined by a comma alone, and a semicolon cannot separate an independent clause from a dependent clause.
3
Select the grammatically correct option that properly subordinates the first clause.
The correct option starts with 'Although' and uses a comma to connect the dependent clause to the independent clause.
This structure properly subordinates the first clause to the second, creating a coherent complex sentence.

Key Concept

Subordination and Coordination
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 191Question →

Which option most effectively coordinates and subordinates the clauses in the passage below to maintain grammatical correctness?

In 1856, teenage chemist William Henry Perkin was attempting to synthesize quinine, a malaria treatment, in his home laboratory. Perkin's experiments did not yield the desired drug, but they resulted in a dark purple residue that became the world's first synthetic dye.

Show answer & explanation

Answer: NO CHANGE

Answer

NO CHANGE
The correct option is grammatically correct because it uses a comma and the coordinating conjunction 'but' to link two independent clauses ('Perkin's experiments did not yield the desired drug' and 'they resulted in a dark purple residue'). The final clause is then properly subordinated as a dependent relative clause starting with 'that' to modify 'residue'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the clause structures in the original sentence.
The clause before the underlined portion ('Perkin's experiments did not yield the desired drug') is an independent clause. The next clause ('they resulted in a dark purple residue') is also an independent clause. The final clause ('became the world's first synthetic dye') is a dependent relative clause modifying 'residue'.
Identifying whether clauses are independent or dependent determines the correct punctuation and conjunctions needed to link them.
2
Determine the correct coordinator for the two main independent clauses.
Since both are independent clauses that present contrasting outcomes, they must be joined either by a semicolon or by a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction (such as 'but'). Using a comma without a conjunction creates a comma splice.
Avoiding run-on sentences and comma splices is essential for proper sentence coordination.
3
Determine the correct subordination for the final modifying clause.
The final clause must be subordinate because it describes the residue. Using a relative pronoun like 'that' or 'which' correctly integrates this information without creating a new independent clause or a fragment.
Proper subordination ensures that modifying information is structurally dependent on the main clause.

Key Concept

Subordination and Coordination
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 192Question →

Read the sentence below. What single word must be placed in the blank to ensure the sentence maintains a correct parallel structure?

Fill in the blanks below

The economic report suggested that the country's recovery would depend not only on how quickly the central bank lowered interest rates but also on effectively the government implemented its fiscal stimulus package.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

how
To maintain parallel structure, the two clauses joined by the correlative conjunction 'not only... but also' must share the same grammatical form. The first clause, 'how quickly the central bank lowered interest rates', begins with the adverbial question word 'how' modifying 'quickly'. To match this structure, the second clause, which features the adverb 'effectively', must also begin with the word 'how' to form the parallel clause 'how effectively the government implemented its fiscal stimulus package'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the correlative conjunction structure.
The sentence uses the correlative conjunction 'not only... but also...' to connect two parallel elements following the preposition 'on'.
Correlative conjunctions require the structures they connect to be grammatically parallel.
2
Analyze the grammatical structure of the first parallel element.
The phrase following 'not only on' is the noun clause 'how quickly the central bank lowered interest rates', which begins with the adverbial phrase 'how quickly'.
Understanding the exact grammatical form of the first element determines the required form of the second element.
3
Determine the necessary word to make the second element parallel.
The second element is 'but also on [blank] effectively the government implemented...', which contains the adverb 'effectively'. To match the 'how + adverb' pattern of 'how quickly', the blank must be filled with 'how'.
Using 'how' creates the parallel noun clause 'how effectively the government implemented its fiscal stimulus package', matching the structure of the first clause.

Key Concept

Parallelism with Correlative Conjunctions and Dependent Noun Clauses
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Question 193Question →

Fill in the blank in the sentence below with the correct form of the verb 'create' to ensure that the sentence maintains a parallel grammatical structure.

Fill in the blanks below

The board of directors decided not only to increase the annual research budget but also a new oversight committee to monitor expenditures.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

to create
The correct answer is 'to create' because it matches the infinitive form of 'to increase' that directly follows the first part of the correlative conjunction ('not only'). Parallel structure requires that elements joined by 'not only... but also' have identical grammatical forms.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the correlative conjunction structure in the sentence.
The sentence uses the correlative conjunction pair 'not only... but also' to link two actions.
Parallel structure dictates that elements connected by correlative conjunctions must share the same grammatical form.
2
Analyze the grammatical structure of the first linked element.
The phrase following 'not only' is 'to increase the annual research budget', which is an infinitive phrase.
Establishing the structure of the first element dictates the grammatical requirement for the second element.
3
Format the verb 'create' to match the grammatical structure of the first element.
To parallel the infinitive 'to increase', the verb 'create' must be written in its infinitive form: 'to create'.
Using the infinitive 'to create' balances the sentence and satisfies the parallel structure rule.

Key Concept

Parallel Structure with Correlative Conjunctions
Question 194Question →

The navigation systems of modern commercial aircraft are far more sophisticated than early maritime vessels, which relied primarily on celestial tracking and compasses.

Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion results in a sentence that is logical and grammatically correct?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: those of early maritime vessels, which relied

Answer

The correct option is the one that changes the underlined portion to 'those of early maritime vessels, which relied'. This makes the comparison logical by comparing 'navigation systems' to 'those' (representing the navigation systems) of early maritime vessels, rather than comparing systems to the vessels themselves.
The correct option makes the comparison logical by using the pronoun 'those' to represent 'navigation systems,' thereby comparing the navigation systems of aircraft to the navigation systems of early maritime vessels rather than comparing systems directly to vessels. It also correctly uses a relative clause starting with 'which' to describe the vessels.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the two things being compared in the original sentence.
The sentence compares 'navigation systems' (plural noun) with 'early maritime vessels' (plural noun indicating ships).
To determine if the comparison is logical, we must ensure that the sentence compares two items of the same type.
2
Determine the correct structure to make the comparison logical.
The comparison must be between navigation systems and navigation systems. Since 'navigation systems' is plural, the pronoun 'those' should be introduced to refer back to it, resulting in 'those of early maritime vessels'.
Using the pronoun 'those of' establishes a logical and parallel noun-to-noun comparison.
3
Check the remaining clause for grammatical correctness and punctuation.
The clause starting with ', which relied' is a dependent relative clause that correctly modifies 'vessels' and avoids structural errors like comma splices or fragments.
This ensures the entire sentence is grammatically correct and coherent.

Key Concept

Illogical and Incomplete Comparisons
Question 195Question →

Although the mathematician’s groundbreaking theorem solved a century-old paradox, the proof, which relied on complex multidimensional geometry that few of his peers could fully comprehend; and failing to gain immediate acceptance in the wider scientific community.

Which of the following choices is the best revision of the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: the proof, which relied on complex multidimensional geometry that few of his peers could fully comprehend, failed

Answer

the proof, which relied on complex multidimensional geometry that few of his peers could fully comprehend, failed
The correct option resolves the sentence fragment by providing the finite verb 'failed' as the predicate for the main subject 'the proof'. This creates a complete independent clause to follow the introductory dependent clause. The parenthetical relative clause starting with 'which' is properly enclosed in commas.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the sentence structure of the sentence to locate the main subject and verb of the independent clause.
The sentence begins with a dependent clause introduced by the subordinating conjunction 'Although' ('Although the mathematician’s groundbreaking theorem solved a century-old paradox'). This means the remaining part of the sentence must function as a complete, independent clause.
Every complete sentence containing a dependent clause must also contain at least one independent clause with a subject and a finite verb.
2
Evaluate the underlined portion to see if it provides a complete independent clause.
The subject is 'the proof', followed by a relative clause 'which relied...'. The rest of the underlined portion is '; and failing'. Semicolons must separate independent clauses, but 'and failing...' is not independent. Furthermore, 'failing' is a non-finite participle, meaning the subject 'the proof' lacks a finite main verb to complete its clause.
To identify if a clause is a fragment, verify that it has a subject and a verb that can express a complete tense and thought.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the one that provides a grammatically complete main clause without introducing other errors.
The choice replacing the semicolon and participle with a comma and the finite verb 'failed' successfully provides a main verb for the subject 'the proof', resolving the fragment. The choice using a comma followed by 'it failed' creates a comma splice. The choice using two participle phrases keeps the clause as a fragment.
The correct choice must establish a subject-verb pair for the independent clause while avoiding punctuation errors like comma splices.

Key Concept

Sentence Fragments
Question 196Question →

In 1967, astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell Burnell detected a series of highly regular radio pulses while analyzing chart recorder data. Although she jokingly labeled the initial signals "LGM-1" (for 'Little Green Men') to acknowledge their seemingly artificial origin. She and her advisor soon realized the pulses were coming from a rapidly spinning neutron star.

Which choice best corrects the underlined portion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Although she jokingly labeled the initial signals "LGM-1" (for 'Little Green Men') to acknowledge their seemingly artificial origin, she and her advisor

Answer

The choice that connects the introductory dependent clause with the independent clause using a comma: 'Although she jokingly labeled the initial signals "LGM-1" (for 'Little Green Men') to acknowledge their seemingly artificial origin, she and her advisor'
The correct option properly uses a comma to connect the introductory dependent clause (which starts with 'Although') to the main independent clause. This forms a single, grammatically complete sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the clause structure around the underlined portion to determine if the sentences are complete.
The clause starting with 'Although' is a dependent clause because 'Although' is a subordinating conjunction. The subsequent clause 'She and her advisor soon realized...' is independent.
Identifying the clause type helps determine the correct punctuation required to connect them.
2
Select the correct punctuation to join the dependent clause to the independent clause.
When a dependent clause introduces a sentence, it must be followed by a comma before the independent clause begins.
Using a period or semicolon creates a sentence fragment since a dependent clause cannot stand alone.
3
Compare the options to find the one that uses a comma without introducing other errors.
The option using a comma correctly connects the clauses, while the option removing 'Although' and using a comma creates a comma splice.
This ensures the final sentence is grammatically correct and cohesive.

Key Concept

Sentence fragments and subordinating conjunctions
Estimated Time:45s
Question 197Question →

Arrange the sentence segments to construct a grammatically correct sentence that maintains parallel structure.

Drag items to arrange them in the correct order

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct sequence is 'The software development team was responsible', followed by 'not only for designing the database', and ending with 'but also for testing the user interface.'
The correct sequence begins with the main clause 'The software development team was responsible', is followed by the first correlative element 'not only for designing the database', and concludes with the matching parallel element 'but also for testing the user interface.' This maintains parallel structure because both parts of the correlative conjunction ('not only' and 'but also') are followed by prepositional phrases starting with the preposition 'for' and a gerund ('designing' and 'testing').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the main independent clause that introduces the subject and predicate of the sentence.
'The software development team was responsible'
A grammatically complete sentence must begin with an independent clause containing a subject and a verb before introducing parallel list items.
2
Locate the first part of the correlative conjunction structure and its grammatical form.
'not only for designing the database'
The phrase 'not only' introduces the first element of the correlative pair, which is formatted as a prepositional phrase with a gerund ('for designing').
3
Identify the second part of the correlative structure that matches the grammatical form of the first element.
'but also for testing the user interface.'
To maintain parallel structure, 'but also' must be followed by a prepositional phrase with a gerund ('for testing') that matches the structure of the first element.

Key Concept

Parallel structure requires that correlative conjunctions (like 'not only... but also') connect grammatically identical elements, such as parallel prepositional gerund phrases.
Question 198Question →

The defense mechanisms of the mimic octopus, which include shape-shifting and color-matching to deter predators, are far more sophisticated than a cuttlefish, which relies on simple camouflage.

Which choice most effectively and logically completes the comparison in the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: those of the cuttlefish, which relies on simple camouflage

Answer

The correct answer is the option that states 'those of the cuttlefish, which relies on simple camouflage', as it correctly compares the plural 'defense mechanisms' to the plural pronoun 'those' of the cuttlefish, and properly sets off the descriptive clause with a comma.
The correct option correctly resolves the comparison error by introducing the plural pronoun 'those of' to refer to 'defense mechanisms', ensuring that the mechanisms of the mimic octopus are logically compared to the mechanisms of the cuttlefish. It also correctly uses a comma to set off the nonessential clause 'which relies on simple camouflage'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the elements being compared in the sentence.
The sentence attempts to compare the 'defense mechanisms' of the mimic octopus to a cuttlefish.
To make a comparison logical, the two items compared must be of the same category (e.g., comparing features to features rather than features to an entire organism).
2
Determine if the original comparison is logical and identify the grammatical number of the target noun.
Comparing 'mechanisms' (plural) to 'a cuttlefish' (singular animal) is illogical. The target noun 'mechanisms' is plural.
Since 'mechanisms' is plural, any pronoun replacing it in the comparison must also be plural ('those').
3
Evaluate the choices for logical pronoun use and correct punctuation.
The option using 'those' and a comma correctly forms the plural comparison and joins the nonessential clause. The option using a semicolon incorrectly separates a dependent clause, and the option using 'that' uses an incorrect singular pronoun.
Standard English grammar requires nonessential relative clauses beginning with 'which' to be set off by a comma, not a semicolon.

Key Concept

Logical comparisons require that the items being compared are grammatically parallel and of the same category. For plural nouns, use the plural pronoun 'those of' rather than the singular 'that of' or the bare noun of a different class.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 199Question →

In the context of the passage below, which of the following choices is the best revision of the underlined portion?

The Cassini spacecraft was launched to study Saturn and its moons in 1997. Although it did not reach the planet until 2004.

Show answer & explanation

Answer: 1997, although it did not reach

Answer

The correct answer is the option that replaces the period with a comma to join the dependent clause to the preceding independent clause.
The correct option replaces the period with a comma, which properly connects the dependent clause starting with the subordinating conjunction 'although' to the preceding independent clause.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the structure of the clauses in the passage.
The clause 'The Cassini spacecraft was launched to study Saturn and its moons in 1997' is independent. The clause 'Although it did not reach the planet until 2004' is dependent because it begins with the subordinating conjunction 'Although'.
Understanding clause types is necessary to identify sentence fragments.
2
Evaluate the grammar of the original sentence.
A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence. Thus, the original phrasing contains a sentence fragment.
This confirms that a revision is required, ruling out the option to make no change.
3
Compare the remaining options to find the correct punctuation.
A comma is the correct punctuation to join an introductory or trailing dependent clause to an independent clause. A semicolon creates a fragment because the second clause is dependent, and removing the subordinating conjunction while keeping only a comma creates a comma splice.
This ensures the final sentence is grammatically correct and complete.

Key Concept

A dependent clause starting with a subordinating conjunction must be joined to an independent clause with appropriate punctuation, rather than standing alone as a sentence fragment.
Estimated Time:45s
Question 200Question →

The plumage of the male wood duck is much more colorful than the female wood duck, which has dull brown feathers for camouflage. Which of the following options is the best replacement for the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: that of the female wood duck, which

Answer

The correct answer is the option that replaces the underlined text with 'that of the female wood duck, which' because it compares the plumage of the male wood duck to the plumage of the female wood duck.
The correct answer correctly uses the pronoun 'that' to refer back to 'plumage,' establishing a logical comparison between the plumage of the male wood duck and the plumage of the female wood duck.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the two elements being compared in the sentence.
The sentence attempts to compare 'The plumage of the male wood duck' with 'the female wood duck'.
To ensure the comparison is logical, the items being compared must be of the same type (plumage to plumage, rather than plumage to duck).
2
Select the option that corrects this illogical comparison and maintains proper punctuation.
Using 'that of the female wood duck' inserts the singular pronoun 'that' to represent 'the plumage', making the comparison logical.
This establishes a grammatically correct and logical parallel comparison without creating punctuation errors like fragments or comma splices.

Key Concept

Illogical comparisons occur when a sentence compares two things that are not of the same type, such as comparing a characteristic of an animal to the animal itself.
Estimated Time:40s
PreviousPage 10 / 278Next
All practice questions — ACT | Examkin