ACT Punctuation u0026 Sentence Structure Quiz Quiz

Sharpen your ACT English skills with this focused quiz covering punctuation, sentence structure, and common grammar challenges. Ideal for those aiming to improve accuracy and clarity in ACT English questions by mastering key concepts on commas, colons, fragments, and parallelism.

1. Comma Use in Compound Sentences

   Which sentence correctly uses a comma with a coordinating conjunction to join two independent clauses?

   1. She wanted to go for a walk, but it started to rain.
   2. She wanted, to go for a walk but it started to rain.
   3. She wanted to go for a walk but, it started to rain.
   4. She wanted to go for a walk but it, started to rain.

   Explanation: The correct answer uses a comma before the coordinating conjunction 'but' to join two independent clauses. Option B incorrectly places the comma after 'but', which is not standard punctuation. Option C inserts a comma after 'it', disrupting the sentence structure. Option D uses a comma after 'wanted', which breaks up the verb phrase improperly.

2. Identifying Sentence Fragments

   Which of the following is a sentence fragment rather than a complete sentence?

   1. He went to the store for some milk.
   2. Although the sun was shining.
   3. Sara finished her homework early.
   4. The birds were chirping in the trees.

   Explanation: The correct answer is a dependent clause that cannot stand alone as a complete thought, making it a fragment. The other options are full independent clauses with subjects and verbs that express complete ideas. Sentence fragments usually start with subordinating conjunctions like 'although' and require completion.

3. Using Colons Correctly

   Which sentence uses a colon correctly to introduce a list?

   1. Ed brought: three items to the picnic, sandwiches, fruit, and lemonade.
   2. Ed brought three items to the picnic: sandwiches, fruit, and lemonade.
   3. Ed: brought three items to the picnic sandwiches, fruit, and lemonade.
   4. Ed brought three items: to the picnic, sandwiches, fruit, and lemonade.

   Explanation: The correct placement of the colon is right after an independent clause, as in the correct answer. In option B, the colon interrupts the verb and its object, which is incorrect. Option C separates the colon from the main phrase it relates to. Option D misplaces the colon, which breaks the subject from the verb unnecessarily.

4. Parallel Structure in Lists

   In which option is parallel structure correctly maintained in the list?

   1. She likes reading, to swim, and biking.
   2. She likes to read, swimming, and to bike.
   3. She likes reading, to swim, and to bike.
   4. She likes reading, swimming, and biking.

   Explanation: The correct answer keeps all the items in the list in the same gerund form: 'reading', 'swimming', 'biking', maintaining parallelism. Other options mix gerunds and infinitives ('to swim', 'to bike'), which creates inconsistency. ACT questions often test the ability to keep grammatical forms consistent within a series.

5. Correct Apostrophe Use

   Which sentence shows the correct use of an apostrophe for a contraction?

   1. You don't have to worry about the test.
   2. You dont' have to worry about the test.
   3. You doesn't have to worry about the test.
   4. You dont have to worry about the test.

   Explanation: The correct answer uses an apostrophe in 'don't' to represent the missing letter in 'do not.' Option A omits the apostrophe, making it a typo. Option B uses an incorrect verb form for the subject 'you' and a contraction that does not fit. Option D misplaces the apostrophe after the 't,' which is grammatically incorrect.