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Test Best Academy ACT Prep > ACT English Flashcards > Flashcards

ACT English Flashcards

1
Q

Semicolon

A

Acts as a period on the SAT/ACT.

Must have an independent clause on both sides of it.

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2
Q

Independent Clause

3 requirements

A

Requires three things:

  1. Subject
  2. Verb
  3. Complete thought

An independent clause can be a full sentence OR you can have two independent clauses in one sentence if there is a comma w/ FANBOYS in between.

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3
Q

The Semicolon/Period Trick

A

If there are two answers where the only difference is a period vs. a semicolon, immediately eliminate both answers because the SAT & ACT consider them to be the SAME.

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4
Q

Semicolon Strategy

What to do when you see a semicolon in the answers

A
  1. Check to see if there is an independent clause before and after the semicolon.
  2. If there is, then the semicolon works.
  3. If there isn’t, then the semicolon does not work.
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5
Q

Sentence Fragment

A

A group of words that looks like it could be a sentence, but does not meet the three requirements for an independent clause.
(subject, verb, complete thought)

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6
Q

Run-On Sentence

A

Two independent clauses without sufficient punctuation between them.

Acceptable puntuation between two independent clauses: a period, a semicolon, or a comma w/ FANBOYS.

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7
Q

Acceptable Punctuation Between Two Independent Clauses

A
  1. Period
  2. Semicolon
  3. Comma with FANBOYS
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8
Q

FANBOYS

A

For
And
Nor
But
Or
Yet
So

A comma with one of these words can go between two independent clauses.

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9
Q

Ways To Fix a Run-On Sentence

When you have two independent clauses

A
  1. Add a period.
  2. Add a semicolon.
  3. Add a comma with FANBOYS
  4. Make one of the independent clauses into a dependent clause
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10
Q

Fragments & Run-Ons
Strategy

Use this when you see a period/semicolon/comma w/ FANBOYS in the answers

A
  1. Check every answer choice to check if there are two independent clauses.
  2. If there are, the period/semicolon/comma with FANBOYS works
  3. If there are not, don’t use the period/semicolon/comma with FANBOYS.
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11
Q

Identifying Fragments & Run-Ons Questions

A
  1. There is a period, semicolon, or comma with FANBOYS in the answers.
  2. There is a mid-sentence underline with a verb.
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12
Q

Double Dashes

A

Function like parentheses on the SAT/ACT.

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13
Q

Colons

Used for two things…

A

Used for:

  1. Lists containing three or more items
  2. Elaboration
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14
Q

The Most Important Colon Rule

A

Before a colon there must be a full independent clause.

After a colon there can be either an independent or dependent clause.

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15
Q

Colon List Trick #1
(Before a List)

A

In order to put a colon before a list, there can’t be another word or phrase setting up the list— like “such as” or “including.”

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16
Q

Colon List Trick #2
(After a List)

A

When you put a colon before a list, the sentence must end with a period after the list.

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17
Q

Colons Strategy

A
  1. For all colons answers, check to see if there is a full independent clause before the colon— if not, eliminate the colon answer.
  2. If an answer is an elaboration colon that has a full independent clause before it, it’s probably right.
  3. If an answer has a list colon that has a full independent clause before it and does not have a word setting up the list nor a continuation of the sentence after the list ends, it’s probably right.
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18
Q

The 5 Primary Uses of Commas

A
  1. Intro Clause Commas
  2. Comma with FANBOYS
  3. Commas in Lists
  4. Between Two Adjectives
  5. Appositive Phrases
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19
Q

Intro Clause Commas

A

Commas used to separate an intro clause from a main independent clause.

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20
Q

Comma with FANBOYS

A

A comma with FANBOYS acts like a period on the SAT/ACT.

If you use a comma w/ FANBOYS, you must have an independent clause on both sides.

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21
Q

Commas in Lists

A

In a list of three or more things, there must be a comma before the “and”

Ex: Red, blue, and green.

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22
Q

Commas Between Two Adjectives

A

When using two adjectives to describe something, the use of a comma between the adjectives is optional.

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23
Q

Appositive Phrase

A

A phrase in between two commas that can be removed from the sentence and the sentence would it still be grammatically correct.

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24
Q

Commas Strategy

A
  1. For all questions with a comma in the answers, look at all the commas in the sentence to determine what each one is doing
  2. If the comma’s function can’t be immediately identified, see if there is another comma in the sentence that could form an appositive phrase.
  3. If no function can be identified, read the comma as an “exaggerated pause.”
  4. If you can’t find a reason to put in the comma, leave it out!
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25
Q

The Apostrophes Possession Exceptions

Apostrophes always mean possession, except in these two words…

A

There are two words where the apostrophe is not possessive:
It’s (it is) and who’s (who is)

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26
Q

Apostrophes Strategy

A
  1. Check to see if the word with the apostrophe possesses or is associated with the next word.
  2. If so, check to see if you word should be singular possessive (one owner) or plural possessive (multiple owners).
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27
Q

Singular Possessive

Brother’s means…

A

Signifies that there is only one owner

One brother owns something.

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28
Q

Plural Possessive

Brothers’ means…

A

Signifies that there are multiple owners.

Multiple brothers own something.

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29
Q

Subject/Verb Agreement
(Present Tense)

A
  • When there is a singular subject, put an “s” at the end of the verb. (Ex. She runs)
  • When there is a plural subject, do not put an “s” at the end of the verb. (Ex. They run)
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30
Q

Subject/Verb Agreement
(Past Tense)

A
  • When singular, the tense uses the auxiliary verb “was”
  • When plural, the tense uses the auxiliary verb “were”
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31
Q

Subject/Verb Agreement
(Present Perfect Tense)

When do we use the perfect tense?

A
  • When singular, the tense uses the auxiliary verb “has”
  • When plural, the tense uses the auxiliary verb “have”

The perfect tense is used when something starts in the past and is still happening now.

32
Q

Subject/Verb Trick #1
(Prepositional Phrases)

A

There can be a decoy subject in a prepositional phrase.

33
Q

Prepositional Phrase

A

A group of words that starts with a preposition (of, in, by, at, on, etc.) and modifies an object.
Most prepositional phrases can be thought of as “anything a plane can do to a cloud”… a plane can go in a cloud, through a cloud, beside a cloud, around a cloud, etc…

34
Q

Subject/Verb Trick #2
(Appositive Phrases)

A

The test can use appositive phrases to put distance between the subject and the verb.

Remove the appositive phrase to simplify the sentence.

35
Q

Subject/Verb Trick #3
(Clauses)

A

The verb and its subject must be in the same clause.

36
Q

5 Primary Verb Tenses

A
  1. Future
  2. Present
  3. Past
  4. Present Perfect (has, have)
  5. Past Perfect (had)
37
Q

Present Perfect

A
  • Uses “has” or “have” as auxiliary verbs in front of the main verb.
  • Indicates something started in the past continuing into the present.
38
Q

Past Perfect

A
  • Uses “had” as an auxiliary verb in front of the main verb.
  • Indicates a prolonged period of time in the past.
39
Q

Verb Tense Patterns

A

When you see an underlined verb, its form (tense) should match the other verbs in any sentence patterns.

Ex: He studied, reviewed, and learned

40
Q

SoP
(When You See An Underlined Verb)

A

Subject (or) Pattern

Every time you see an undefined verb, look to make sure it matches its SUBJECT & matches the sentence’s verb PATTERN.

41
Q

Pronoun

A

A word that takes the place of a noun.

He, she, it, they, them, etc…

42
Q

Mismatched Pronoun

A

When the text uses the wrong pronoun to refer to the antecedent.

*questions typically have four pronouns as answers.

Ex: The dog was excited when their owner came home. (wrong pronoun)

43
Q

Antecedent

A

The word a pronoun refers to.

*you should be able to replace the pronoun with the antecedent and the sentence should still make sense.

44
Q

Ambiguous Pronoun

A

When the test uses a pronoun that does not have a clear antecedent.

*when this happens, pick an answer that takes out the pronoun.

**questions need to have an answer that isn’t a pronoun.

45
Q

Pronouns Strategy

A

When you see an* underlined pronoun*:

  1. Look for the antecedent
  2. If you can find the antecedent, match it with the correct pronoun.
  3. If you can’t find the antecedent (or if it is unclear) it might be an ambiguous pronoun question— pick the answer that replaces the pronoun with a noun.
46
Q

Modifying Introductory Clauses

A

An intro clause that refers to something that it does not name.

*the thing to which the intro clause refers must come right after the into clause comma.

  • Correct: Known as the happiest place on earth, Disneyland…
  • Incorrect: Known as the happiest place on earth, Walt Disney…
47
Q

Dangling Modifier

A

An introductory clause that refers to something that is neither mentioned in the intro clause nor immediately after the period.

  • Correct: Known as the happiest place on earth, Disneyland…
  • Incorrect: Known as the happiest place on earth, Walt Disney…
48
Q

The Three Signs of a Dangling Modifier Question

A
  1. The whole intro clause is underlined.
  2. An underline starts with the first or second word after the intro clause comma.
  3. The first few words of the intro clause are underlined
49
Q

Dangling Modifier Strategy

A

1) Recognize that it’s a dangling modifier question by:

  • An underlined intro clause, or…
  • An underline right after the intro clause.

2) Select the answer that ensures that the modifying intro clause matches up with the word(s) right after the intro clause comma.

50
Q

That v. Which

A

That = used for clauses with information that is necessary to understanding the preceding noun

Which = used for clauses with information that is not necessary to understanding the preceding noun

51
Q

Who v. Whom

A

Who = Subject (performs a verb/action)

Whom = Object (receives a verb/action)

52
Q

Who v. Which v. That

A

Who = used when referring to people

Which/That = used when referring to things that are not people

53
Q

Then v. Than

A

Than = used for comparisons

Then = used to express time or order

54
Q

There, Their, They’re

A

There = used to express “at that place,” as well as to introduce someone/something

Their = used to express possession

They’re = a contraction of “they are”

55
Q

Redundancy

A

Repetition of the same idea or information.

*if a question doesn’t ask for anything specific, the test almost always prefers the answer that relates the information in the fewest number of words.

56
Q

Redundancy Strategy

A
  1. Recognize that it’s a redundancy question by looking at the answers: there are usually 2-3 longer answers that kinda say the same thing and 1-2 answers that is/are shorter.
  2. Select the shortest answer that still makes sense.
57
Q

Diction

A

Word Choice

*these are vocabulary questions on the test.

**when all four answer choices are different vocabulary words, it is most likely a diction question.

58
Q

Idioms

A

The pairing of words as they are used in English.

Correct: Capable of success
Incorrect: Capable to success

59
Q

Diction Strategy

A
  1. How to Identify: All four answers are different vocabulary words.
  2. Pick the best word.
60
Q

Idioms Strategy

A
  1. How to identify: all four answers have article words (i.e. of, on, in, at, with, etc.)
  2. Find the word that you’re pairing the article with, then “sound out” in your mind which word/article is right

Correct: Capable of success
Incorrect: Capable to success

61
Q

READ Questions

A

Any question on the test that prints a question before the multiple choice questions.

62
Q

READ Question Strategy

A
  1. Identify the question
  2. READ THE QUESTION SUPER CAREFULLY AND CIRCLE KEY WORDS.
  3. Pick the answer that give you what the question is looking for.
  4. Re-read the question for key answer requirements if you’re stuck between two answers.
63
Q

Add/Delete Questions

A

Questions that ask you to either add (keep) information if it is relevant the main idea of the paragraph, or to delete the information if it is not.

*on “kept/kept/deleted/deleted” questions, treat each answer like a true/false.

64
Q

Add/Delete Question Strategy

A

Identify: the question will ask if some text should be add/kept or deleted.

Treat each answer like true/false and ask yourself “which explanation actually makes sense?”

65
Q

“If Were to Delete” Question
Strategy

A
  1. Identify: question will ask, “if the writer were to delete…”
  2. Read the sentence twice: once with the phrase and once without it.
  3. Determine how the sentence is different.
66
Q

Transition Questions

A

Questions that:

  1. Have four transition words as answers (in addition, however, thus, etc.)
  2. Include the word “transition” in the question prompt.
67
Q

“Addition” Transition Words

A

Build on the previous sentence

Examples: then, next, in addition (to), moreover, also, indeed, likewise, for example, finally, in fact…

68
Q

“Contrast” Transition Words

A

Contrast with (1) the previous sentence or (2) the second half of the same sentence.

Examples: however, nevertheless, although, though, while, whereas, on the other hand, despite this…

69
Q

“Causation” Transition Words

A

Show that the sentence is caused by the information in the previous sentence.

Examples: therefore, thus, as a result, consequently, since…

70
Q

Moving Sentence Questions

A

Questions that ask where a sentence should be placed in a passage.

*look for (1) chronology and (2) references to other parts of the passage.

71
Q

Transition Trick #1
(When to Read Ahead)

A

Read ahead if:

  1. The question asks you to, or…
  2. It’s the first sentence of a paragraph
72
Q

Transition Trick #2
(Paragraph Lists)

A

If multiple sentences in the paragraph are listing off things/ideas/steps, words like “in addition,” “also,” “then,” or “finally,” often make sense.

73
Q

Transition Strategy

A
  1. Circle key words for the main idea of the previous sentence.
  2. Circle key words for the main idea of the transition word sentence.
  3. Determine if you need an addition, contrast, or causation transition.
74
Q

Moving Sentence Strategy

A

Look for (1) chronology (order of events) or (2) references to some part of the passage.

75
Q

Primary Purpose/Main Goal Questions

A

Questions at the end of an English passage that asks you to reflect on the passage as a whole.

*on “yes/yes/no/no” questions, treat each explanation like a true/false question.

76
Q

Primary Purpose/Main Goal Strategy

A

Be attentive to the “big picture”— just because something is in the passage doesn’t mean that it’s the “main goal” or “primary purpose.”

Treat each answer as a “true/false” and be super attentive to small details.

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