ACT English Practice Test 3

Directions: In the following passage, certain words and phrases are underlined and numbered. The questions will provide alternatives for the underlined portion. You should choose the alternative that best expresses the idea in standard written English and is worded most consistently with the tone of the passage. If you believe the original version is best, then choose “NO CHANGE.” There will also be questions about sections of the passage or about the passage as a whole. Read the entire passage before answering any of the questions. For some questions you may need to read beyond the underlined section in order to determine the correct answer.

Passage III
Good Beekeeping

It is generally not widely known that beekeeping is an important industry in the United States and that (1) America are known (2) not just for the quantity but also for (3) the quality of the honey it produces. This is the case, however, and America has long been recognized by other countries worldwide as an important producer of honey, although (4) beekeepers are found in every state, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois (5) produce large quantities of fine honey, as does Texas and California.

One of the most important things for beekeepers to do, in order to have a successful bee colony that would provide (6) lots of honey, is to make sure the bees have adequate shelter during cold weather, and also from the intense heat of summer. (7) In the Northern and Central states good protection must also become (8) provided against zero weather, since bees are not used to frozen temperatures! Though, (9) honeybees originally came from the tropical climates of Southeast Asia, more specifically the Philippines and surrounding areas, ample protection is required for them. (10)

The hives must have (11) an outer case placed around them and then have leaves, or straw or sawdust (12) packed around them for insulation. Set up in this way, they will withstand even an arctic winter. Perhaps at no time is protection more necessary than in early spring when the hives are full of young, baby (13) bees. During this time, hives may also be covered with layers of thick paper. A small hole cut in the paper will allow all of the fresh air necessary for bees in a state of sleep.

It has become increasingly important (14) to protect existing hives, as the American honeybee population has declined significantly over the past 10 years. Scientists do not know exactly why the honeybees are dying, but some believe a mysterious virus has killed off over 40% of the total honeybee population. Others argue that pesticides and other environmental toxins have affected the bees. [15]

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Question 1
(1)

A
NO CHANGE
B
and
C
that
D
but
Question 1 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (A). The word “that” here is parallel with the word “that” that appears earlier in the sentence: “…not widely known THAT beekeeping…and THAT….” Sentences should have parallel structure on the ACT English exam.
Question 2
(2)

A
NO CHANGE
B
is known
C
was known
D
were known
Question 2 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (B). “America” is singular, so we need the singular verb “is.” The sentence should not use a past-tense verb, since the other verbs in the paragraph are in the present tense.
Question 3
(3)

A
NO CHANGE
B
not only for the quantity but for
C
not just for the quantity but also for
D
not only for the quantity but also for
Question 3 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (D). The two-part idiom “not only…but also” is commonly tested on the ACT English test. The constructions “not only…but” and “not just…but also” are incorrect.
Question 4
(4)

A
NO CHANGE
B
yet
C
and
D
hence
Question 4 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (C). The clause adds additional information so we need a transition word such as “and” to express a continuation of ideas. “Yet” and “although” imply a contrast, while “hence” sets up a cause/effect relationship that is not present in the sentence.
Question 5
(5)

A
NO CHANGE
B
state; Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois
C
state; Ohio, and Indiana, and Illinois
D
state—Ohio, Indiana and Illinois
Question 5 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (B). Two independent clauses should be separated by either a period or a semicolon, otherwise a run-on is created. Only (B) fixes the run-on sentence, while maintaining the parallelism of the list of states, using the correct idiomatic construction X, Y, and Z.
Question 6
(6)

A
NO CHANGE
B
provides
C
provided
D
will provide
Question 6 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (D). The honey is going to be produced in the future, so we need a future tense verb to express that. “Would” is incorrectly hypothetical. “Would” is used to indicate uncertainty about a future event. For example, “if Joe were to drink the margarita, he would fall sick”. Here, we’re not certain that Joe will fall sick after drinking the margarita.
Question 7
(7)

A
NO CHANGE
B
weather, and but also from the intense heat of summer.
C
weather, but the intense heat of summer in addition.
D
weather, and from the summer heat’s intensity.
Question 7 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (A). There is nothing wrong with the sentence as written. The other choices are all awkward or overly wordy.
Question 8
(8)

A
NO CHANGE
B
be
C
became
D
OMIT the underlined portion.
Question 8 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (B). The verb “be” shows a state of being or a state of existing. Since the protection needs to be on a continuous basis, we need the helper verb “be” here for the sentence to make sense. “Become” refers only to something developing in the future, while “became” refers to the past.
Question 9
(9)

A
NO CHANGE
B
Though
C
Nonetheless
D
Because
Question 9 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (D). The sentence expresses a cause and effect meaning, so the appropriate transition word is “because.”
Question 10
(10)

A
NO CHANGE
B
ample protection for them had been required.
C
they require ample protection.
D
it requires ample protection.
Question 10 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (C). The original construction is in passive voice. Look for a more active construction that does not make the sentence awkward or wordy. Since “honeybees” is plural, we need the plural pronoun “they” to replace “honeybees”.
Question 11
(11)  Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion is also acceptable?

A
NO CHANGE
B
need
C
do require
D
must build
Question 11 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (B). The expression “must have” is similar to the verb “need” in meaning, so (B) would be an acceptable alternative. (C) is awkward, and (D) implies the bees are building their own protective case, when in fact the beekeepers are providing it.
Question 12
(12)

A
NO CHANGE
B
then leaves or straw, and sawdust
C
then leaves and straw, and sawdust
D
then have leaves, straw, or sawdust
Question 12 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (D). On the ACT English Test, items in a list should be in parallel form. Only (D) correctly uses the parallel construction X, Y, or Z.
Question 13
(13)

A
NO CHANGE
B
young and immature
C
young or immature
D
young
Question 13 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (D). Since “young” and “baby” both imply youth, using both in this sentence would be redundant. Avoid redundancy on the ACT English Test.
Question 14
(14)

A
NO CHANGE
B
an increase in importance
C
importantly increasing
D
increasely important
Question 14 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (A). As written, the adverb “increasingly” correctly modifies the verb “become.” There is no error that needs to be corrected.
Question 15
[15]  Which of the following sentences would provide the best conclusion to the passage?

A
NO CHANGE
B
Honey contains many beneficial minerals and vitamins, and also has antibacterial properties.
C
It is a shame that bees are in danger, but colony collapse disorder is still rampant.
D
Beekeepers who protect their colonies year-round are more likely to have happy, healthy, honey-producing bees for years to come.
Question 15 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (D). This answer choice provides a nice conclusion by relating the idea of bee protection mentioned earlier in the passage to the idea of the bees disappearing in the final paragraph. (C) does not tie the final paragraph into the passage as a whole, and (B) is not directly related to the main idea of the passage.
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