ACT Test Exam Questions and Answers

QUESTION: 36 Topic Exam A: Section 1 (English)

DIRECTIONS: In the passage below, certain phrases are underlined and numbered <x>. The question will present alternatives for the underlined part. In most cases, you are to choose the one that best expresses the idea, makes the statement appropriate for standard written English, or is worded most consistently with the style and tone of the passage as a whole. If you think the original version is the best, choose "NO CHANGE".

The Gateway Arch

[§1] The skyline of St. Louis, Missouri, is fairly unremarkable, with one huge exception, the <1> Gateway Arch that stands on the banks of the Mississippi. Part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the Arch is a really cool monument <2> built to honor St. Louis' role as the gateway to the West.

[§2] Construction on the 630-foot high structure began, in 1961, <3> and was completed four years later in 1965. The monument includes an underground visitor center that explores westward expansion through galleries and a theater. Two passenger trams take visitors to the Observation Room and the Museum of Westward Expansion at the top.

[§3] In 1947, a group of interested citizens known as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Association held a nationwide competition to select a design for a new monument that would celebrate <4> the growth of the United States. Other U.S. monuments are spires, statues, or imposed buildings, <5> but the winner of this contest was a plan for a completely unique structure. The man that <6> submitted the winning design, Eero Saarinen, later became a famous architect. In designing the Arch, Saarinen wanted to "create a monument which would have lasting significance and would be a landmark of our time."

[§4] The Gateway Arch is a masterpiece of engineering, a monument even taller than the Great Pyramid in Egypt, and on its own way, <7> at least as majestic. The Gateway is an inverted catenary curve, the same shape that a heavy chain will form if suspended between two points. Covered from top to bottom with sleek stainless steel coating, <8> the Arch often reflects dazzling bursts of sunlight. In a beautiful display of symmetry, the height of the arch is the same as the distance between the legs at ground level.

<6>:

NO CHANGE
which
who
whom

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Use who when referring to people.

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QUESTION: 37 Topic Exam A: Section 1 (English)

DIRECTIONS: In the passage below, certain phrases are underlined and numbered <x>. The question will present alternatives for the underlined part. In most cases, you are to choose the one that best expresses the idea, makes the statement appropriate for standard written English, or is worded most consistently with the style and tone of the passage as a whole. If you think the original version is the best, choose "NO CHANGE".

The Gateway Arch

[§1] The skyline of St. Louis, Missouri, is fairly unremarkable, with one huge exception, the <1> Gateway Arch that stands on the banks of the Mississippi. Part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the Arch is a really cool monument <2> built to honor St. Louis' role as the gateway to the West.

[§2] Construction on the 630-foot high structure began, in 1961, <3> and was completed four years later in 1965. The monument includes an underground visitor center that explores westward expansion through galleries and a theater. Two passenger trams take visitors to the Observation Room and the Museum of Westward Expansion at the top.

[§3] In 1947, a group of interested citizens known as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Association held a nationwide competition to select a design for a new monument that would celebrate <4> the growth of the United States. Other U.S. monuments are spires, statues, or imposed buildings, <5> but the winner of this contest was a plan for a completely unique structure. The man that <6> submitted the winning design, Eero Saarinen, later became a famous architect. In designing the Arch, Saarinen wanted to "create a monument which would have lasting significance and would be a landmark of our time."

[§4] The Gateway Arch is a masterpiece of engineering, a monument even taller than the Great Pyramid in Egypt, and on its own way, <7> at least as majestic. The Gateway is an inverted catenary curve, the same shape that a heavy chain will form if suspended between two points. Covered from top to bottom with sleek stainless steel coating, <8> the Arch often reflects dazzling bursts of sunlight. In a beautiful display of symmetry, the height of the arch is the same as the distance between the legs at ground level.

<7>:

NO CHANGE
and, in its own way,
and in its own way;
and in it's own way

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

Put commas around transitional phrases.

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QUESTION: 38 Topic Exam A: Section 1 (English)

DIRECTIONS: In the passage below, certain phrases are underlined and numbered <x>. The question will present alternatives for the underlined part. In most cases, you are to choose the one that best expresses the idea, makes the statement appropriate for standard written English, or is worded most consistently with the style and tone of the passage as a whole. If you think the original version is the best, choose "NO CHANGE".

The Gateway Arch

[§1] The skyline of St. Louis, Missouri, is fairly unremarkable, with one huge exception, the <1> Gateway Arch that stands on the banks of the Mississippi. Part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the Arch is a really cool monument <2> built to honor St. Louis' role as the gateway to the West.

[§2] Construction on the 630-foot high structure began, in 1961, <3> and was completed four years later in 1965. The monument includes an underground visitor center that explores westward expansion through galleries and a theater. Two passenger trams take visitors to the Observation Room and the Museum of Westward Expansion at the top.

[§3] In 1947, a group of interested citizens known as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Association held a nationwide competition to select a design for a new monument that would celebrate <4> the growth of the United States. Other U.S. monuments are spires, statues, or imposed buildings, <5> but the winner of this contest was a plan for a completely unique structure. The man that <6> submitted the winning design, Eero Saarinen, later became a famous architect. In designing the Arch, Saarinen wanted to "create a monument which would have lasting significance and would be a landmark of our time."

[§4] The Gateway Arch is a masterpiece of engineering, a monument even taller than the Great Pyramid in Egypt, and on its own way, <7> at least as majestic. The Gateway is an inverted catenary curve, the same shape that a heavy chain will form if suspended between two points. Covered from top to bottom with sleek stainless steel coating, <8> the Arch often reflects dazzling bursts of sunlight. In a beautiful display of symmetry, the height of the arch is the same as the distance between the legs at ground level.

<8>:

NO CHANGE
Covered with sleek stainless steel all over its body
Covered with a skin made of steel that is stainless
Covered with a sleek skin of stainless steel

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

This is the most concise and effective version.

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QUESTION: 39 Topic Exam A: Section 1 (English)

DIRECTIONS: In the passage below, certain phrases are underlined and numbered <x>. The question will present alternatives for the underlined part. In most cases, you are to choose the one that best expresses the idea, makes the statement appropriate for standard written English, or is worded most consistently with the style and tone of the passage as a whole. If you think the original version is the best, choose "NO CHANGE".

The Gateway Arch

[§1] The skyline of St. Louis, Missouri, is fairly unremarkable, with one huge exception, the <1> Gateway Arch that stands on the banks of the Mississippi. Part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the Arch is a really cool monument <2> built to honor St. Louis' role as the gateway to the West.

[§2] Construction on the 630-foot high structure began, in 1961, <3> and was completed four years later in 1965. The monument includes an underground visitor center that explores westward expansion through galleries and a theater. Two passenger trams take visitors to the Observation Room and the Museum of Westward Expansion at the top.

[§3] In 1947, a group of interested citizens known as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Association held a nationwide competition to select a design for a new monument that would celebrate <4> the growth of the United States. Other U.S. monuments are spires, statues, or imposed buildings, <5> but the winner of this contest was a plan for a completely unique structure. The man that <6> submitted the winning design, Eero Saarinen, later became a famous architect. In designing the Arch, Saarinen wanted to "create a monument which would have lasting significance and would be a landmark of our time."

[§4] The Gateway Arch is a masterpiece of engineering, a monument even taller than the Great Pyramid in Egypt, and on its own way, <7> at least as majestic. The Gateway is an inverted catenary curve, the same shape that a heavy chain will form if suspended between two points. Covered from top to bottom with sleek stainless steel coating, <8> the Arch often reflects dazzling bursts of sunlight. In a beautiful display of symmetry, the height of the arch is the same as the distance between the legs at ground level.

The most logical sequence of paragraphs for this essay is:

NO CHANGE
1, 3, 2, 4
4, 1, 3, 2
1, 2, 4, 3

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

This is the most logical choice. The first paragraph introduces the topic and main idea; the third paragraph then describes the background of the Arch and establishes a chronological order; the second paragraph continues the chronology; and the fourth paragraph returns to the idea of the Arch's remarkable design, as established in the introduction.

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QUESTION: 40 Topic Exam A: Section 1 (English)

DIRECTIONS: In the passage below, certain phrases are underlined and numbered <x>. The question will present alternatives for the underlined part. In most cases, you are to choose the one that best expresses the idea, makes the statement appropriate for standard written English, or is worded most consistently with the style and tone of the passage as a whole. If you think the original version is the best, choose "NO CHANGE".

The Gateway Arch

[§1] The skyline of St. Louis, Missouri, is fairly unremarkable, with one huge exception, the <1> Gateway Arch that stands on the banks of the Mississippi. Part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the Arch is a really cool monument <2> built to honor St. Louis' role as the gateway to the West.

[§2] Construction on the 630-foot high structure began, in 1961, <3> and was completed four years later in 1965. The monument includes an underground visitor center that explores westward expansion through galleries and a theater. Two passenger trams take visitors to the Observation Room and the Museum of Westward Expansion at the top.

[§3] In 1947, a group of interested citizens known as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Association held a nationwide competition to select a design for a new monument that would celebrate <4> the growth of the United States. Other U.S. monuments are spires, statues, or imposed buildings, <5> but the winner of this contest was a plan for a completely unique structure. The man that <6> submitted the winning design, Eero Saarinen, later became a famous architect. In designing the Arch, Saarinen wanted to "create a monument which would have lasting significance and would be a landmark of our time."

[§4] The Gateway Arch is a masterpiece of engineering, a monument even taller than the Great Pyramid in Egypt, and on its own way, <7> at least as majestic. The Gateway is an inverted catenary curve, the same shape that a heavy chain will form if suspended between two points. Covered from top to bottom with sleek stainless steel coating, <8> the Arch often reflects dazzling bursts of sunlight. In a beautiful display of symmetry, the height of the arch is the same as the distance between the legs at ground level.

The writer has been asked to write a short essay describing in detail a national monument and what the monument honors. Would this essay fulfill that assignment?

Yes, because it focuses on the design of the Arch.
Yes, because the writer describes the Arch and tells why it was commissioned.
No, because the writer does not tell us enough about the designer of the Arch and what he was trying to accomplish.
No, because the writer does not tell us enough about St. Louis' role as a gateway to westward expansion.

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

The writer discusses the design of the monument, but does not describe how the city and monument honor St. Louis's role as a gateway to westward expansion. It simply mentions this fact.

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Test Prep ACT Test Exam (page: 8) Test Prep American College Testing: English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing Updated on: 09-Feb-2026

QUESTION: 36 Topic Exam A: Section 1 (English)

Explanation:

QUESTION: 37 Topic Exam A: Section 1 (English)

Explanation:

QUESTION: 38 Topic Exam A: Section 1 (English)

Explanation:

QUESTION: 39 Topic Exam A: Section 1 (English)

Explanation:

QUESTION: 40 Topic Exam A: Section 1 (English)

Explanation:

Test Prep ACT Test Exam (page: 8)
Test Prep American College Testing: English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing
Updated on: 09-Feb-2026