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ACT Aspire Grade 9 study materials
ACT Aspire Grade 9 study resources

ACT Aspire Grade 9 practice questions

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Question 1English

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

  1. After the storm passed the crew inspected the roof, and they replaced several broken shingles.
  2. After the storm passed; the crew inspected the roof, and they replaced several broken shingles.
  3. After the storm passed, the crew inspected the roof and, they replaced several broken shingles.
  4. After the storm passed, the crew inspected the roof, and they replaced several broken shingles. Correct answer.

Explanation

An introductory dependent clause is followed by a comma. Two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction need a comma before the conjunction. A semicolon is not used between an introductory clause and the main clause.

Question 2English

Choose the verb that agrees with the subject. The stack of overdue library books ___ on the kitchen table.

  1. sits Correct answer.
  2. sit
  3. have sat
  4. were sitting

Explanation

The simple subject is 'stack,' which is singular. The prepositional phrase 'of overdue library books' does not change the subject's number. A singular present-tense verb is required.

Question 3English

Choose the correct form to complete the sentence. The ___ handles were loose.

  1. bicycles' Correct answer.
  2. bicycles
  3. bicycle's
  4. bicycles's

Explanation

The sentence refers to handles belonging to more than one bicycle. The plural noun 'bicycles' takes an apostrophe after the final s to show possession. The singular possessive and the nonstandard double apostrophe forms do not fit.

Question 4English

Choose the correct pronoun. Between you and ___, the schedule seems unrealistic.

  1. I
  2. myself
  3. mine
  4. me Correct answer.

Explanation

The pronoun follows the preposition 'between,' so it must be in the objective case. 'Me' is the objective form. 'I' is subjective, 'myself' is reflexive, and 'mine' is possessive.

Question 5English

Which word best completes the sentence? The scientist's explanation was so ___ that even the younger students understood the main idea.

  1. obscure
  2. tedious
  3. redundant
  4. lucid Correct answer.

Explanation

The clause 'even the younger students understood' shows that the explanation was clear. 'Lucid' means clear and easy to understand. The other choices suggest confusion, boredom, or repetition.

Question 6English

Which transition best fits the blank? The trail was steep and rocky. ___, the hikers reached the summit before noon.

  1. For instance
  2. Similarly
  3. However Correct answer.
  4. Therefore

Explanation

The first sentence describes a difficulty, while the second reports success before noon. The relationship is contrast, so a contrast transition such as 'However' is needed. Cause-effect, similarity, and example transitions do not fit.

Question 7English

Which of the following is a complete sentence?

  1. Because the lights flickered repeatedly during the storm.
  2. The audience waited quietly in the darkened theater. Correct answer.
  3. After the director announced the delay to the audience.
  4. When the final bell rang loudly through the hallway.

Explanation

A complete sentence needs a subject and a finite verb and must express a complete thought. 'The audience waited quietly in the darkened theater' meets those requirements. The other choices begin with subordinating words and leave the thought incomplete.

Question 8English

Choose the verb that completes the sentence correctly. By the time we arrived, the film ___.

  1. will already start
  2. has already started
  3. is already starting
  4. had started Correct answer.

Explanation

The arrival is in the past, and the film's starting happened before that past arrival. The past perfect tense 'had started' expresses the earlier past action. Present, future, and present progressive forms do not match the time sequence.

Question 9English

Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?

  1. The museum closed for renovations; because the gift shop always stayed open.
  2. The museum closed for renovations; however, the gift shop stayed open. Correct answer.
  3. The museum closed for renovations; and the gift shop stayed open.
  4. The museum closed for renovations; the gift shop, however still stayed open.

Explanation

A semicolon can join two independent clauses. When a conjunctive adverb such as 'however' follows the semicolon, it is followed by a comma. Coordinating conjunctions, comma placement, and subordinating conjunctions follow different rules.

Question 10English

Which sentence uses a colon correctly?

  1. The itinerary includes three cities, they are Paris, Rome, and Madrid.
  2. The itinerary includes three cities: Paris, Rome, and Madrid. Correct answer.
  3. The itinerary includes: Paris, Rome, and Madrid.
  4. The itinerary includes three cities; those cities are Paris, Rome, and Madrid.

Explanation

A colon may follow a complete independent clause to introduce a list. 'The itinerary includes three cities' is complete, so the colon is appropriate. A colon should not interrupt a verb and its object, and a semicolon does not introduce a list.

Question 11English

Choose the verb that agrees with the subject. Neither the principal nor the teachers ___ available for comment.

  1. has been
  2. is
  3. was
  4. were Correct answer.

Explanation

With 'neither ... nor,' the verb agrees with the subject closer to it. The closer subject is 'teachers,' which is plural. Therefore, the plural verb 'were' is required.

Question 12English

Choose the pronoun that agrees with its antecedent. Each of the girls brought ___ own lunch.

  1. its
  2. our
  3. their
  4. her Correct answer.

Explanation

The antecedent is 'each,' an indefinite pronoun that is singular. A singular possessive pronoun is needed to match it. 'Their' is plural, 'its' is nonpersonal, and 'our' is the wrong person.

Question 13English

Which completion avoids a dangling modifier? Walking through the park, ___.

  1. Maya noticed a family of ducks. Correct answer.
  2. the flowers in the garden bloomed brightly.
  3. the pond near the bridge reflected the sky.
  4. a sudden rainstorm began without warning.

Explanation

The introductory phrase 'Walking through the park' must describe the subject of the main clause. Maya is the one walking, so she should be the subject. The other completions make flowers, a pond, or a storm seem to be walking.

Question 14English

Choose the phrase that completes the sentence with parallel structure. The internship requires candidates to research sources, conduct interviews, and ___.

  1. to write detailed reports
  2. detailed reports written
  3. write detailed reports Correct answer.
  4. writing detailed reports

Explanation

The list is governed by 'to' and contains the base verbs 'research' and 'conduct.' The third item should be the parallel base verb 'write.' Gerund, repeated-infinitive, and noun-phrase forms break the parallel structure.

Question 15English

Choose the verb that keeps the tense consistent. Last summer, I visited my aunt, and she ___ me how to sail.

  1. teaches
  2. is teaching
  3. taught Correct answer.
  4. has taught

Explanation

The sentence begins with the past-tense verb 'visited.' The second action happened in the same past time frame, so it should also be in the simple past. Present, present perfect, and present progressive forms create unnecessary shifts.

Question 16English

Which completion makes the sentence correct? The library opens at nine, ___.

  1. however, the study rooms open earlier.
  2. the study rooms opening earlier.
  3. the study rooms open earlier.
  4. and the study rooms open earlier. Correct answer.

Explanation

Two independent clauses can be joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction. 'And' correctly connects the clause about the library with the clause about the study rooms. A comma alone creates a splice, and 'however' requires a semicolon or period before it.

Question 17English

Which revision is most concise without changing the meaning? Original: The reason that the event was canceled was because of the fact that the gym flooded.

  1. The event's cancellation was caused by reason of the flooded gym.
  2. Because the gym flooded, that was the reason the event was canceled.
  3. The event was canceled because the gym flooded. Correct answer.
  4. The reason for the cancellation of the event was due to the gym flooding.

Explanation

The original is wordy because 'the reason ... was because of the fact that' repeats the idea of cause. The concise version states the cause directly with 'because.' The other revisions keep unnecessary nominalizations or add awkward phrasing.

Question 18English

Which transition best fits the blank? The first draft of the essay had a strong thesis, but its evidence was thin. ___, the writer spent the weekend gathering statistics and quotations.

  1. In contrast
  2. For example
  3. Therefore Correct answer.
  4. Similarly

Explanation

The thin evidence explains why the writer gathered more material. That is a cause-and-effect relationship, so 'Therefore' is appropriate. Similarity, contrast, and example transitions do not show the logical connection.

Question 19English

Which sentence uses active voice?

  1. The award had been presented by the principal.
  2. The award was presented by the principal.
  3. The award is being presented by the principal.
  4. The principal presented the award. Correct answer.

Explanation

In active voice, the subject performs the action named by the verb. 'The principal presented the award' has the principal as the actor and the award as the object. The other sentences place the award first and use a form of 'be' with a past participle.

Question 20English

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence. My cousin, ___ lives in Florida, is studying marine biology.

  1. that
  2. who Correct answer.
  3. whom
  4. which

Explanation

The clause describes a person, so 'who' is the correct relative pronoun. The clause is nonessential and is set off by commas, which also rules out 'that.' 'Which' refers to things, and 'whom' would be an object form.

Question 21English

Choose the phrase that completes the sentence correctly. The proposal was praised not only for its clarity but also ___.

  1. because it was original
  2. for its originality Correct answer.
  3. as a result of being original
  4. its originality

Explanation

Correlative conjunctions require parallel grammatical structures. 'For its clarity' is a prepositional phrase, so the matching item should also be 'for its originality.' The other choices omit the preposition or use nonparallel constructions.

Question 22English

Which sentence avoids an ambiguous pronoun reference?

  1. The manager spoke with the intern, who realized that she needed to revise the report.
  2. The manager met the intern and realized the report needed revision. Correct answer.
  3. The manager spoke with the intern, and she realized the report needed revision.
  4. When the manager spoke with the intern, she realized the report needed revision.

Explanation

A pronoun should refer clearly to one antecedent. Repeating 'the manager' removes the ambiguity about who realized the report needed revision. The other sentences use 'she' in ways that could refer to either the manager or the intern.

Question 23English

Choose the verb that completes the sentence correctly. The committee recommended that the new policy ___ reviewed before implementation.

  1. will be
  2. is
  3. be Correct answer.
  4. was

Explanation

Verbs such as 'recommend,' 'request,' and 'insist' followed by a 'that' clause take the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive uses the base form 'be' regardless of the subject. Indicative and future forms do not express the recommended action in this construction.

Question 24English

Read the paragraph. Volunteers at the animal shelter walk dogs every morning, clean kennels in the afternoon, and help potential adopters meet animals. Their work is demanding but rewarding. Which sentence best concludes the paragraph?

  1. The shelter is located on Maple Street near the public library.
  2. The shelter's director has worked there for ten years.
  3. Many volunteers also enjoy reading mystery novels in their free time.
  4. Their efforts help homeless animals find permanent homes. Correct answer.

Explanation

The paragraph emphasizes the volunteers' demanding work and its value. A strong conclusion should connect their efforts to the shelter's mission of helping animals. Details about location, hobbies, or the director's tenure are off-topic.

Question 25English

Choose the verb that agrees with the subject. The number of applicants ___ increased sharply this year.

  1. are
  2. have
  3. were
  4. has Correct answer.

Explanation

The subject is 'the number,' which is singular even though it is followed by 'of applicants.' The singular verb 'has' agrees with 'the number.' Plural verbs would agree with 'applicants,' but that word is not the subject.

Question 26English

Choose the pronoun that correctly completes the sentence. The coach divided the remaining practice time between Maya and ___.

  1. mine
  2. myself
  3. me Correct answer.
  4. I

Explanation

The pronoun follows the preposition "between," so it must be in the objective case. "Me" is the objective form, while "I" is subjective. A reflexive pronoun such as "myself" is used only when the subject and object are the same person.

Question 27English

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence. The dog wagged ___ tail whenever it heard the front door open.

  1. its'
  2. it's
  3. it is
  4. its Correct answer.

Explanation

The sentence needs a possessive determiner to show that the tail belongs to the dog, and "its" is the possessive form with no apostrophe. "It's" is always a contraction of "it is" or "it has." The form "its'" does not exist in standard English.

Question 28English

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence. There were ___ people at the concert than we had expected.

  1. lesser
  2. less
  3. fewest
  4. fewer Correct answer.

Explanation

"Fewer" is used with plural countable nouns such as "people," and the comparison word "than" signals the comparative form. "Less" is reserved for uncountable quantities like "less noise." "Fewest" is a superlative and would require "the" rather than "than."

Question 29English

Choose the form that correctly completes the sentence. The ___ lockers were left open after practice.

  1. players
  2. players's
  3. player's
  4. players' Correct answer.

Explanation

The lockers belong to more than one player, so the possessive must be plural. For a regular plural ending in -s, the apostrophe goes after the s, giving "players'." Adding an extra -s after the apostrophe is incorrect for this plural.

Question 30English

Which revision places the modifier clearly? Original: She served the cake to the guests topped with fresh berries.

  1. She served the cake to the guests topped with fresh berries.
  2. She served the cake topped with fresh berries to the guests. Correct answer.
  3. Topped with fresh berries, the guests were served cake by her.
  4. Topped with fresh berries, she served the cake to the guests.

Explanation

A modifier should sit next to the word it describes, so "topped with fresh berries" must directly follow "cake." In the original, the phrase appears to describe the guests. Placing the phrase immediately after "cake" removes the ambiguity.

Question 31English

Which sentence is a comma splice?

  1. Because the storm knocked out the power, we lit candles.
  2. The storm knocked out the power; we lit candles.
  3. The storm knocked out the power, so we lit candles.
  4. The storm knocked out the power, we lit candles. Correct answer.

Explanation

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a comma. "The storm knocked out the power" and "we lit candles" can each stand alone, so a comma alone is not enough. A coordinating conjunction or a semicolon is required.

Question 32English

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence. The new policy will ___ every employee who works overtime.

  1. affect Correct answer.
  2. affective
  3. effects
  4. effect

Explanation

"Affect" is a verb meaning to influence, which fits after the helping verb "will." "Effect" is normally a noun meaning a result. Because the sentence already contains the modal "will," the base form of the verb is needed.

Question 33English

Which sentence punctuates the dialogue correctly?

  1. "Please close the door," she said. Correct answer.
  2. "Please close the door", she said.
  3. "Please close the door" she said.
  4. "Please close the door." She said.

Explanation

When a speech tag follows the quotation, the comma belongs inside the closing quotation mark. The tag itself begins with a lowercase letter because it continues the same sentence. A period before the tag would incorrectly end the sentence early.

Question 34English

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence. The prize money was divided ___ the three winning teams.

  1. among Correct answer.
  2. within
  3. beside
  4. between

Explanation

"Among" is used when something is shared by more than two parties, and here there are three teams. "Between" is standard for exactly two. The prepositions "beside" and "within" express location rather than distribution.

Question 35English

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence. The award goes to the student ___ the teachers nominated.

  1. who
  2. whose
  3. which
  4. whom Correct answer.

Explanation

The pronoun is the object of the verb "nominated" (the teachers nominated the student), so the objective form "whom" is required. "Who" is for subjects, and "whose" shows possession. "Which" would refer to a thing, not a person.

Question 36English

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence. Before dinner, please ___ the napkins beside each plate.

  1. lie
  2. lain
  3. lay Correct answer.
  4. laid

Explanation

"Lay" means to put or place something and takes a direct object, which here is "the napkins." "Lie" means to recline and takes no object. "Laid" is the past tense, but the request is in the present.

Question 37English

Which sentence uses commas correctly?

  1. My uncle a licensed electrician rewired, the entire house.
  2. My uncle, a licensed electrician rewired the entire house.
  3. My uncle, a licensed electrician, rewired the entire house. Correct answer.
  4. My uncle a licensed electrician, rewired the entire house.

Explanation

The phrase "a licensed electrician" is a nonessential appositive that renames "my uncle," so it must be framed by a pair of commas. Both commas are needed to show where the interruption begins and ends.

Question 38English

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence. If the mayor ___ the bill, it would have taken effect immediately.

  1. signed
  2. had signed Correct answer.
  3. has signed
  4. signs

Explanation

The main clause uses "would have taken," which shows an unreal condition in the past. The if-clause of such a conditional takes the past perfect "had signed." A simple past form would pair with "would take," not "would have taken."

Question 39English

Which sentence uses dashes correctly?

  1. The two finalists, both of whom had trained for months-were neck and neck.
  2. The two finalists-both of whom had trained for months were-neck and neck.
  3. The two finalists-both of whom had trained for months, were neck and neck.
  4. The two finalists-both of whom had trained for months-were neck and neck. Correct answer.

Explanation

A dash used to set off an interrupting phrase must be matched by a second dash, and the surrounding clause must stay intact. Only this version opens and closes the interruption with dashes and leaves "were neck and neck" as a complete predicate. Mixing a comma with a single dash breaks the pair.

Question 40English

Choose the verb that agrees with the subject. She is one of the few students who ___ solved the entire puzzle.

  1. have Correct answer.
  2. has
  3. was
  4. is

Explanation

In the pattern "one of the [plural noun] who," the relative pronoun "who" refers to the plural noun "students," so the verb must be plural: "have." The singular "one" governs the main verb "is," not the verb inside the relative clause.

Question 41Mathematics

Solve for x: 3(x - 4) = 5x + 8

  1. x = 2
  2. x = -2
  3. x = 10
  4. x = -10 Correct answer.

Explanation

Distributing the 3 gives 3x - 12 = 5x + 8. Subtracting 3x from both sides leaves -12 = 2x + 8, and subtracting 8 from both sides gives -20 = 2x. Dividing both sides by 2 produces x = -10, which checks in the original equation.

Question 42Mathematics

What is the slope of the line that passes through the points (2, -3) and (6, 5)?

  1. 4
  2. 1/2
  3. -2
  4. 2 Correct answer.

Explanation

Slope is the change in y divided by the change in x. The rise is 5 - (-3) = 8 and the run is 6 - 2 = 4, so the slope is 8/4 = 2. Because the line rises from left to right, the slope must be positive.

Question 43Mathematics

Simplify the expression (2x^3)(5x^4).

  1. 10x^7 Correct answer.
  2. 7x^7
  3. 10x^12
  4. 7x^12

Explanation

Multiply the numerical coefficients and add the exponents of the matching bases. Here 2 times 5 equals 10, and x^3 times x^4 equals x raised to the power 3 + 4, which is x^7. The simplified product is therefore 10x^7.

Question 44Mathematics

A jacket originally priced at $80 is discounted 25%, and then 8% sales tax is charged on the sale price. What is the final cost?

  1. $62.40
  2. $60.00
  3. $66.00
  4. $64.80 Correct answer.

Explanation

A 25% discount leaves 75% of the original price, so the sale price is 80(0.75) = $60. Tax is charged on the amount actually paid, so multiply by 1.08 to get 60(1.08) = $64.80. Charging the tax before the discount would give too large a total.

Question 45Mathematics

Evaluate 4a^2 - 3b when a = -2 and b = 5.

  1. 16
  2. 15
  3. 31
  4. 1 Correct answer.

Explanation

Substituting gives 4(-2)^2 - 3(5). Squaring first produces 4(4) - 15 = 16 - 15 = 1. Squaring a negative number always yields a positive result, so the first term must be positive 16.

Question 46Mathematics

What is the median of the data set 4, 7, 9, 7, 20, 13?

  1. 8 Correct answer.
  2. 7
  3. 8.5
  4. 9

Explanation

Arranging the six values in order gives 4, 7, 7, 9, 13, 20. Because the count is even, the median is the mean of the two middle values, 7 and 9. That average is (7 + 9)/2 = 8.

Question 47Mathematics

A circle has a radius of 6 units. What is its area, in square units?

  1. 36π Correct answer.
  2. 6π
  3. 12π
  4. 18π

Explanation

The area of a circle is A = πr^2, so substitute r = 6 to get A = π(6)^2 = 36π square units. The exponent applies only to the radius, not to π. The value 12π describes the distance around the circle rather than the space inside it.

Question 48Mathematics

A bag holds 5 red, 3 blue, and 4 green marbles. If one marble is drawn at random, what is the probability that it is blue?

  1. 3/4
  2. 1/3
  3. 5/12
  4. 1/4 Correct answer.

Explanation

The bag contains 5 + 3 + 4 = 12 marbles in total. Probability is favorable outcomes divided by total outcomes, giving 3/12. Simplifying that fraction produces 1/4.

Question 49Mathematics

What is the solution to the system 2x + 3y = 12 and x - y = 1?

  1. (3, 2) Correct answer.
  2. (6, 0)
  3. (2, 3)
  4. (0, 4)

Explanation

Solving the second equation for x gives x = y + 1. Substituting into the first equation gives 2(y + 1) + 3y = 12, so 5y + 2 = 12 and y = 2. Then x = 2 + 1 = 3, and the ordered pair (3, 2) satisfies both equations.

Question 50Mathematics

If f(x) = 2x^2 - x + 3, what is f(-3)?

  1. 12
  2. 15
  3. 18
  4. 24 Correct answer.

Explanation

Replace each x with -3 to get f(-3) = 2(-3)^2 - (-3) + 3. This simplifies to 2(9) + 3 + 3 = 18 + 6 = 24. Subtracting a negative term is the same as adding its opposite, which is why the middle term becomes positive.