The Ultimate ACT Drill:
Section Specific
Questions with
Answers & Rationales
Section 1: English - 35 Questions
Question 1: The committee members, despite their differing opinions, _____ able to reach a consensus
by the end of the meeting.
A) was
B) were
C) is
D) are
Answer: B) were
Rationale: The subject "members" is plural, requiring the plural verb "were." The intervening phrase
"despite their differing opinions" does not change the subject-verb agreement requirement.
Question 2: The artist's work, which had been _____ overlooked by critics, finally received the
recognition it deserved.
A) previously
B) previous
C) precede
D) precocious
Answer: A) previously
Rationale: An adverb is needed to modify the verb "overlooked." "Previously" correctly indicates that the
overlooking happened in the past.
Question 3: Neither the teacher nor the students _____ satisfied with the new curriculum changes.
A) is
B) are
C) was
D) be
,Answer: B) are
Rationale: With "neither...nor," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it, which is "students" (plural),
requiring "are."
Question 4: The novel's protagonist, a young woman from a small town, _____ to the city in search of
opportunity.
A) move
B) moves
C) moving
D) have moved
Answer: B) moves
Rationale: The subject "protagonist" is singular, and the main verb should be in the present tense
"moves" to maintain consistent narrative tense.
Question 5: Each of the candidates _____ submitted their application before the deadline.
A) have
B) has
C) are
D) were
Answer: B) has
Rationale: "Each" is a singular indefinite pronoun and takes a singular verb "has." The phrase "of the
candidates" is a prepositional phrase and does not affect the subject-verb agreement.
Question 6: The professor, along with his research assistants, _____ working on the groundbreaking
study.
A) are
B) is
C) were
D) have
Answer: B) is
Rationale: The main subject is "professor" (singular), and the phrase "along with his research assistants"
is parenthetical, so the verb should be singular "is."
Question 7: _____ the weather forecast predicted rain, we decided to postpone the outdoor event.
A) Although
B) Because
C) Unless
D) While
Answer: B) Because
Rationale: The clause provides a reason for postponing, so "because" correctly establishes a cause-and-
effect relationship.
Question 8: The company's profits, which _____ steadily for the past three years, have finally begun to
increase.
, A) declined
B) have declined
C) had declined
D) were declining
Answer: C) had declined
Rationale: The past perfect "had declined" indicates that the declining occurred before the recent
increase, establishing proper chronological sequence.
Question 9: The students _____ diligently for the exam when the fire alarm unexpectedly sounded.
A) studied
B) were studying
C) have studied
D) had studied
Answer: B) were studying
Rationale: The past progressive "were studying" indicates an ongoing action that was interrupted by the
fire alarm, establishing the correct temporal relationship.
Question 10: The new policy, which was implemented last month, _____ to improve workplace
efficiency.
A) aim
B) aims
C) aiming
D) have aimed
Answer: B) aims
Rationale: The singular subject "policy" requires the singular verb "aims" in the present tense to indicate
a current purpose.
Question 11: The author's use of symbolism in the novel _____ the reader to interpret the text on
multiple levels.
A) allow
B) allows
C) allowing
D) have allowed
Answer: B) allows
Rationale: The singular subject "use" requires the singular verb "allows" to maintain proper subject-verb
agreement.
Question 12: The mountain range, with its snow-capped peaks, _____ a popular destination for
experienced climbers.
A) are
B) is
C) were
D) have
Section Specific
Questions with
Answers & Rationales
Section 1: English - 35 Questions
Question 1: The committee members, despite their differing opinions, _____ able to reach a consensus
by the end of the meeting.
A) was
B) were
C) is
D) are
Answer: B) were
Rationale: The subject "members" is plural, requiring the plural verb "were." The intervening phrase
"despite their differing opinions" does not change the subject-verb agreement requirement.
Question 2: The artist's work, which had been _____ overlooked by critics, finally received the
recognition it deserved.
A) previously
B) previous
C) precede
D) precocious
Answer: A) previously
Rationale: An adverb is needed to modify the verb "overlooked." "Previously" correctly indicates that the
overlooking happened in the past.
Question 3: Neither the teacher nor the students _____ satisfied with the new curriculum changes.
A) is
B) are
C) was
D) be
,Answer: B) are
Rationale: With "neither...nor," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it, which is "students" (plural),
requiring "are."
Question 4: The novel's protagonist, a young woman from a small town, _____ to the city in search of
opportunity.
A) move
B) moves
C) moving
D) have moved
Answer: B) moves
Rationale: The subject "protagonist" is singular, and the main verb should be in the present tense
"moves" to maintain consistent narrative tense.
Question 5: Each of the candidates _____ submitted their application before the deadline.
A) have
B) has
C) are
D) were
Answer: B) has
Rationale: "Each" is a singular indefinite pronoun and takes a singular verb "has." The phrase "of the
candidates" is a prepositional phrase and does not affect the subject-verb agreement.
Question 6: The professor, along with his research assistants, _____ working on the groundbreaking
study.
A) are
B) is
C) were
D) have
Answer: B) is
Rationale: The main subject is "professor" (singular), and the phrase "along with his research assistants"
is parenthetical, so the verb should be singular "is."
Question 7: _____ the weather forecast predicted rain, we decided to postpone the outdoor event.
A) Although
B) Because
C) Unless
D) While
Answer: B) Because
Rationale: The clause provides a reason for postponing, so "because" correctly establishes a cause-and-
effect relationship.
Question 8: The company's profits, which _____ steadily for the past three years, have finally begun to
increase.
, A) declined
B) have declined
C) had declined
D) were declining
Answer: C) had declined
Rationale: The past perfect "had declined" indicates that the declining occurred before the recent
increase, establishing proper chronological sequence.
Question 9: The students _____ diligently for the exam when the fire alarm unexpectedly sounded.
A) studied
B) were studying
C) have studied
D) had studied
Answer: B) were studying
Rationale: The past progressive "were studying" indicates an ongoing action that was interrupted by the
fire alarm, establishing the correct temporal relationship.
Question 10: The new policy, which was implemented last month, _____ to improve workplace
efficiency.
A) aim
B) aims
C) aiming
D) have aimed
Answer: B) aims
Rationale: The singular subject "policy" requires the singular verb "aims" in the present tense to indicate
a current purpose.
Question 11: The author's use of symbolism in the novel _____ the reader to interpret the text on
multiple levels.
A) allow
B) allows
C) allowing
D) have allowed
Answer: B) allows
Rationale: The singular subject "use" requires the singular verb "allows" to maintain proper subject-verb
agreement.
Question 12: The mountain range, with its snow-capped peaks, _____ a popular destination for
experienced climbers.
A) are
B) is
C) were
D) have
