Word Choice - ACT English
Card 1 of 30
Which word is a homophone of 'sea'?
Which word is a homophone of 'sea'?
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see. Verb meaning to look at or observe with one's eyes.
see. Verb meaning to look at or observe with one's eyes.
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Identify the correct word: 'She is an ______ writer.'
Identify the correct word: 'She is an ______ writer.'
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accomplished. Adjective meaning skilled or successful in achievement.
accomplished. Adjective meaning skilled or successful in achievement.
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Choose the appropriate word: 'He has a strong ______ in mathematics.'
Choose the appropriate word: 'He has a strong ______ in mathematics.'
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interest. Noun meaning curiosity or concern about something.
interest. Noun meaning curiosity or concern about something.
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Choose the best word: “The coach praised the players (who/whom) the fans supported.”
Choose the best word: “The coach praised the players (who/whom) the fans supported.”
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whom. Whom is the object of the fans' support.
whom. Whom is the object of the fans' support.
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Choose the best word: “This solution is more efficient (then/than) the previous one.”
Choose the best word: “This solution is more efficient (then/than) the previous one.”
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than. Than is used for making comparisons.
than. Than is used for making comparisons.
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Choose the best word: “The hikers walked (farther/further) before reaching the cabin.”
Choose the best word: “The hikers walked (farther/further) before reaching the cabin.”
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farther. Farther refers to measurable physical distance.
farther. Farther refers to measurable physical distance.
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Choose the best word: “For (further/farther) information, consult the handbook.”
Choose the best word: “For (further/farther) information, consult the handbook.”
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further. Further refers to additional information (abstract extent).
further. Further refers to additional information (abstract extent).
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Find and correct the redundancy: “Each and every applicant must sign the form.”
Find and correct the redundancy: “Each and every applicant must sign the form.”
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Correct: “Each applicant must sign the form.”. 'Each and every' is redundant; 'each' alone conveys the meaning.
Correct: “Each applicant must sign the form.”. 'Each and every' is redundant; 'each' alone conveys the meaning.
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Choose the best word: “After the hike, he needed to (lie/lay) down for an hour.”
Choose the best word: “After the hike, he needed to (lie/lay) down for an hour.”
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lie. Lie means to recline and takes no direct object.
lie. Lie means to recline and takes no direct object.
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What word choice principle requires using the most specific accurate term, not a vague one?
What word choice principle requires using the most specific accurate term, not a vague one?
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Precision. Choose specific terms over vague ones when both are accurate.
Precision. Choose specific terms over vague ones when both are accurate.
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What is the difference between “affect” and “effect” in standard usage?
What is the difference between “affect” and “effect” in standard usage?
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Affect: verb meaning influence; effect: noun meaning result. Remember: Affect = Action (verb); Effect = End result (noun).
Affect: verb meaning influence; effect: noun meaning result. Remember: Affect = Action (verb); Effect = End result (noun).
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What is the difference between “accept” and “except” in standard usage?
What is the difference between “accept” and “except” in standard usage?
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Accept means receive; except means exclude. Accept = take in; except = leave out.
Accept means receive; except means exclude. Accept = take in; except = leave out.
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What is the difference between “stationary” and “stationery” in standard usage?
What is the difference between “stationary” and “stationery” in standard usage?
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Stationary not moving; stationery writing paper. Stationary = not moving; stationery = writing materials.
Stationary not moving; stationery writing paper. Stationary = not moving; stationery = writing materials.
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What is the difference between “ensure,” “insure,” and “assure” in standard usage?
What is the difference between “ensure,” “insure,” and “assure” in standard usage?
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Ensure make certain; insure cover risk; assure reassure a person. Ensure = make certain; insure = protect; assure = convince person.
Ensure make certain; insure cover risk; assure reassure a person. Ensure = make certain; insure = protect; assure = convince person.
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Choose the correct word: 'She is a member of the counsel/council.'
Choose the correct word: 'She is a member of the counsel/council.'
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Council. 'Council' is a group; 'counsel' is advice.
Council. 'Council' is a group; 'counsel' is advice.
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What word describes a humorous play on words?
What word describes a humorous play on words?
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Pun. Wordplay based on multiple meanings of words.
Pun. Wordplay based on multiple meanings of words.
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What is the term for a word opposite in meaning to another?
What is the term for a word opposite in meaning to another?
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Antonym. A word with opposite meaning, like 'hot' vs 'cold'.
Antonym. A word with opposite meaning, like 'hot' vs 'cold'.
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Choose the correct word: 'He was given a cite/sight/site to review.'
Choose the correct word: 'He was given a cite/sight/site to review.'
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Site. 'Site' means location; context suggests a website.
Site. 'Site' means location; context suggests a website.
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Choose the word that best replaces 'use' in formal writing.
Choose the word that best replaces 'use' in formal writing.
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Utilize. More formal and sophisticated than 'use'.
Utilize. More formal and sophisticated than 'use'.
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Choose the correct word: 'The weather will affect/effect our plans.'
Choose the correct word: 'The weather will affect/effect our plans.'
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Affect. 'Affect' is the verb; 'effect' is the noun.
Affect. 'Affect' is the verb; 'effect' is the noun.
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Find and correct the error: 'He could of gone to the store.'
Find and correct the error: 'He could of gone to the store.'
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Replace 'of' with 'have'. 'Could have' is correct; 'could of' is wrong.
Replace 'of' with 'have'. 'Could have' is correct; 'could of' is wrong.
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Which word means 'to examine carefully'?
Which word means 'to examine carefully'?
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Scrutinize. Means to examine something closely and critically.
Scrutinize. Means to examine something closely and critically.
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Choose the word that best replaces 'happy' in formal writing.
Choose the word that best replaces 'happy' in formal writing.
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Elated. More sophisticated than 'happy' for formal contexts.
Elated. More sophisticated than 'happy' for formal contexts.
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What term describes a word that sounds like its meaning?
What term describes a word that sounds like its meaning?
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Onomatopoeia. Words that imitate sounds like 'buzz' or 'crash'.
Onomatopoeia. Words that imitate sounds like 'buzz' or 'crash'.
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What is the antonym of 'expand'?
What is the antonym of 'expand'?
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Contract. Opposite of expand; means to become smaller.
Contract. Opposite of expand; means to become smaller.
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Find and correct the word choice error: 'He was literally dying from laughter.'
Find and correct the word choice error: 'He was literally dying from laughter.'
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Replace 'literally' with 'figuratively'. 'Literally' means exactly; use 'figuratively' for exaggeration.
Replace 'literally' with 'figuratively'. 'Literally' means exactly; use 'figuratively' for exaggeration.
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Choose the correct word: 'The ______ mountain loomed over the valley.'
Choose the correct word: 'The ______ mountain loomed over the valley.'
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tall. Adjective describing great height or elevated stature.
tall. Adjective describing great height or elevated stature.
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What is an idiom in ACT English word choice questions?
What is an idiom in ACT English word choice questions?
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A standard, conventional phrase used by native speakers. Fixed expressions that sound natural to native speakers.
A standard, conventional phrase used by native speakers. Fixed expressions that sound natural to native speakers.
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What is the difference between “affect” and “effect” in standard usage?
What is the difference between “affect” and “effect” in standard usage?
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Affect: verb meaning influence; effect: noun meaning result. Remember: Affect = Action (verb); Effect = End result (noun).
Affect: verb meaning influence; effect: noun meaning result. Remember: Affect = Action (verb); Effect = End result (noun).
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What is the difference between “who” and “whom” in standard usage?
What is the difference between “who” and “whom” in standard usage?
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Who as subject; whom as object. Test by replacing with he/him: he = who, him = whom.
Who as subject; whom as object. Test by replacing with he/him: he = who, him = whom.
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