ACT English Practice Test: Modifiers, Parallel Structure and Comparisons
- Modifiers, Parallel Structure and Comparisons
- 10 questions
- 8 minutes
Each question shows a sentence with an underlined part; choose the best version, or NO CHANGE if the original is already correct. Check that items in a list share the same form and that an opening phrase describes the word right after the comma.
Tap an option to mark your answer. You can change your mind, or tap the same option again to leave the question blank. The correct answers and explanations appear when you finish the test.Tap an option to answer; tap it again to leave the question blank.
Your result
- 0 correct
- 0 wrong
- 0 blank
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Question 1
The new public library offers quiet study rooms, a makerspace with 3D printers, and it has a café on the first floor.
Which choice is best for the underlined portion?
Correct answer: D
The list needs three noun phrases: "study rooms," "a makerspace" and "a café." The original and "there is" switch to a full clause, breaking the parallel structure.
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Question 2
Walking into the old movie theater, the smell of fresh popcorn greeted Lena before she even reached the lobby.
Which choice is best for the underlined portion?
Correct answer: C
The opening phrase describes someone walking, so "Lena" must come right after the comma. In the other choices, the smell is the thing that seems to be walking.
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Question 3
After comparing the two hiking routes on the map, the group agreed that the coastal trail was the most scenic of the pair.
Which choice is best for the underlined portion?
Correct answer: B
When only two things are compared ("the pair"), the comparative "more scenic" is used, not the superlative "most." "Scenicest" is not a standard form.
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Question 4
The coach announced that this week's practices would focus on passing, to defend, and conditioning.
Which choice is best for the underlined portion?
Correct answer: C
"Passing" and "conditioning" are -ing forms, so "defending" keeps the list parallel. "To defend" and "defend" break the pattern.
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Question 5
Stretching on the track before the race, Marcus felt his calves tighten in the cold morning air.
Which choice is best for the underlined portion?
Correct answer: A
The opening phrase describes the person stretching, and the original puts "Marcus" right after the comma. The other choices make his calves or the cold air seem to do the stretching.
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Question 6
According to the latest census, the population of Denver is much larger than Boulder.
Which choice is best for the underlined portion?
Correct answer: D
The sentence must compare population with population, so "that of Boulder" is needed. The original illogically compares a population with a city.
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Question 7
Its paint peeling and its windows cracked, the town council voted to repair the old schoolhouse.
Which choice is best for the underlined portion?
Correct answer: B
The opening phrase describes something with peeling paint and cracked windows, which is the schoolhouse, so "the old schoolhouse" must follow the comma. In the original, the council has the peeling paint.
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Question 8
The volunteers were asked not only to collect litter along the river but also sorting it into recycling bins.
Which choice is best for the underlined portion?
Correct answer: C
"Not only to collect" must be matched by "but also to sort," using the same verb form. "Sorting" and "they sorted" break the pairing.
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Question 9
Thanks to a new checklist, this year's science fair projects were better organized than last year's.
Which choice is best for the underlined portion?
Correct answer: A
"Better" is already the comparative form of "well," so "better organized" is correct with "than." Adding "more" creates a double comparative.
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Question 10
For many students, reading a novel before bed is more relaxing than to watch a movie.
Which choice is best for the underlined portion?
Correct answer: B
The comparison must use the same form on both sides: "reading" and "watching." "To watch" and "they watch" do not match "reading."
Questions you leave blank are not counted as wrong.
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