ACT English Practice Test 2026: Comprehensive Exam Prep —
Grammar, Punctuation, Sentence Structure, Rhetorical Skills,
Organization & Style — 190 Multiple-Choice Questions with Answers
& Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: PUNCTUATION AND SENTENCE STRUCTURE (Questions 1–40)
Question 1
Which punctuation mark correctly completes the sentence below?
The committee reviewed the proposal carefully___ however, they ultimately decided to
reject it.
A. ;
B. ,
C. :
D. —
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses connected by a
conjunctive adverb like "however," which cannot follow a comma alone.
Question 2
Identify the error in the following sentence:
Each of the students have submitted their assignment before the deadline.
,A. "Each" should be "Every"
B. "have" should be "has"
C. "their" should be "there"
D. "before" should be "by"
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: "Each" is singular, so it requires the singular verb "has" regardless of the plural
noun following "of."
Question 3
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
A. The professor who teaches biology, is known for her engaging lectures.
B. The professor, who teaches biology, is known for her engaging lectures.
C. The professor who teaches biology is known, for her engaging lectures.
D. The professor, who teaches biology is known for her engaging lectures.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Nonessential relative clauses require commas on both sides; the clause here is
additional information, not essential identification.
Question 4
What is the best way to correct the comma splice in this sentence?
,The concert started late, the audience grew restless.
A. The concert started late the audience grew restless.
B. The concert started late; the audience grew restless.
C. The concert started late, and the audience grew restless.
D. Both B and C are correct.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Comma splices can be fixed with a semicolon or a comma plus coordinating
conjunction; both B and C are grammatically valid.
Question 5
Which option correctly uses a colon?
A. She brought three items: a notebook, a pen, and a calculator.
B. She brought: three items, a notebook, a pen, and a calculator.
C. She brought three items, a notebook: a pen and a calculator.
D. She brought three items: a notebook a pen and a calculator.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: A colon introduces a list after a complete independent clause; items in the list
are separated by commas.
Question 6
, Choose the correct punctuation for the underlined portion:
The scientist whose research changed the field retired last year.
A. scientist, whose research changed the field,
B. scientist whose research changed the field
C. scientist; whose research changed the field,
D. scientist: whose research changed the field
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Essential relative clauses (identifying which scientist) do not take commas; the
clause is necessary to identify the subject.
Question 7
Which sentence correctly uses an apostrophe?
A. The dog's toys were scattered across the yard.
B. The dogs toys were scattered across the yard.
C. The dogs' toys were scattered across the yard, and its owner was upset.
D. Both A and C are correct.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: "Dog's" shows singular possession; "dogs'" shows plural possession. Both are
correct in their respective contexts.
Grammar, Punctuation, Sentence Structure, Rhetorical Skills,
Organization & Style — 190 Multiple-Choice Questions with Answers
& Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: PUNCTUATION AND SENTENCE STRUCTURE (Questions 1–40)
Question 1
Which punctuation mark correctly completes the sentence below?
The committee reviewed the proposal carefully___ however, they ultimately decided to
reject it.
A. ;
B. ,
C. :
D. —
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses connected by a
conjunctive adverb like "however," which cannot follow a comma alone.
Question 2
Identify the error in the following sentence:
Each of the students have submitted their assignment before the deadline.
,A. "Each" should be "Every"
B. "have" should be "has"
C. "their" should be "there"
D. "before" should be "by"
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: "Each" is singular, so it requires the singular verb "has" regardless of the plural
noun following "of."
Question 3
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
A. The professor who teaches biology, is known for her engaging lectures.
B. The professor, who teaches biology, is known for her engaging lectures.
C. The professor who teaches biology is known, for her engaging lectures.
D. The professor, who teaches biology is known for her engaging lectures.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Nonessential relative clauses require commas on both sides; the clause here is
additional information, not essential identification.
Question 4
What is the best way to correct the comma splice in this sentence?
,The concert started late, the audience grew restless.
A. The concert started late the audience grew restless.
B. The concert started late; the audience grew restless.
C. The concert started late, and the audience grew restless.
D. Both B and C are correct.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Comma splices can be fixed with a semicolon or a comma plus coordinating
conjunction; both B and C are grammatically valid.
Question 5
Which option correctly uses a colon?
A. She brought three items: a notebook, a pen, and a calculator.
B. She brought: three items, a notebook, a pen, and a calculator.
C. She brought three items, a notebook: a pen and a calculator.
D. She brought three items: a notebook a pen and a calculator.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: A colon introduces a list after a complete independent clause; items in the list
are separated by commas.
Question 6
, Choose the correct punctuation for the underlined portion:
The scientist whose research changed the field retired last year.
A. scientist, whose research changed the field,
B. scientist whose research changed the field
C. scientist; whose research changed the field,
D. scientist: whose research changed the field
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Essential relative clauses (identifying which scientist) do not take commas; the
clause is necessary to identify the subject.
Question 7
Which sentence correctly uses an apostrophe?
A. The dog's toys were scattered across the yard.
B. The dogs toys were scattered across the yard.
C. The dogs' toys were scattered across the yard, and its owner was upset.
D. Both A and C are correct.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: "Dog's" shows singular possession; "dogs'" shows plural possession. Both are
correct in their respective contexts.
