ACT English

SAT Question of the Day

The SAT question of the day is a Sentence Completions Question that has already been addressed on this blog: click here to see an explanation.

ACT English Question of the Day

English questions on the ACT test many of the same concepts as writing questions on the SAT, but they provide more context.  Take a look at this question:

Modern broadcasting began to develop after the First World War. Before 1920, radio was simply a useful way to send electrical signals ashore from a

ship at sea, or, from one "ham" operator to another. The new technology associated with movies and airplanes was already developing rapidly by the time soldiers started returning from European trenches

in 1918. The vast potential of the airwaves, therefore, had scarcely been touched.

Choose the best alternative for the underlined part.

This question tests your ability to use logical transitions.  The word “therefore” makes sense if you only read one sentence, but if you read the paragraph, you will see that it is out of place.  The word “therefore” signifies causation.  You could insert the word “consequently” in its place.  The lack of knowledge about airwaves was not a consequence of developing technology for movies and airplanes.  Instead, the paragraph makes a contrast between actual development and potential development.  You need a contrast word such as “but,” “yet,” or “however.”

F. NO CHANGE
G. however,
H. also,
J. in fact,

(F) You already know that “therefore” is not correct.  Eliminate this choice.  (G) Perfect match!  Keep this choice.  (H) The word “also” continues an idea or means “likewise.”  It does not express contrast.  Eliminate this choice.  (J)  Although the author is making a factual statement, this choice does not connect the sentence to the previous sentence to create a cohesive paragraph.  Eliminate this choice.

The correct answer is (G).

For the ACT Question of the Day, visit http://www.act.org/qotd/.

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