ACT of the Day

ACT of the Day

ship at sea, or, 1

Tuning In During the Twenties

[1]

     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

from one "ham" operator to another.

(1) A. NO CHANGE B. ship, at sea, or C. ship at sea or; D. ship at sea or

ACT of the Day

ship at sea, or, 1

Tuning In During the Twenties

[1]

     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

from one "ham" operator to another.

(1) A. NO CHANGE B. ship, at sea, or C. ship at sea or; D. ship at sea or

1. The best answer is D, because the meaning of the sentence is clearest and the rhythm of the sentence is smoothest with no punctuation separating the two adverbial phrases "from a ship at sea" and "from one ‘ham' operator to another." All the other choices have superfluous punctuation marks that cloud the meaning and interrupt the rhythm of the sentence. In Choice A, the comma before the conjunction or is acceptable (but not necessary) to separate the adverbial phrases, but the comma after or performs no useful function here; the pair of commas do nothing but confuse the meaning of the sentence. In Choice B, the pair of commas setting off the prepositional phrase at sea also pointlessly interrupts the sentence, because there is no reason to set this phrase apart from the rest of the sentence. Choice C misuses the semicolon; there is no need to use any mark of punctuation after the conjunction or between the phrases, and to use a semicolon, which customarily is used to mark a break in sentence flow greater than that marked by a comma, creates both a needless and a needlessly great interruption.

ACT of the Day

therefore2

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,

had scarcely been touched.

(2) A. NO CHANGE B. however, C. also, D. in fact,

ACT of the Day

therefore2

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,

had scarcely been touched.

(2) A. NO CHANGE B. however, C. also, D. in fact,

2. The best answer is B, because the transitional word however is the only choice that logically connects the last sentence in Paragraph 1 with the preceding sentence, and that clearly expresses the idea that even with the new technology, the vast potential of the airwaves had scarcely been touched. The other choices create faulty logic. In Choice A, the use of the word therefore is illogical because the potential of the airwaves was not the result of the new technology. Choice C is illogical because the potential of the airwaves was not in addition to the new technology. In Choice D, the use of the phrase in fact also creates an illogical connection that would confuse the reader.

ACT of the Day

decided3

      Then a vice president of Westinghouse, looking for a way to make the

transmission of radio signals more profitable, on a two-fold

strategy.

(3) A. NO CHANGE B. but had a decision C. deciding D. yet decided

3

ACT of the Day

decided3

      Then a vice president of Westinghouse, looking for a way to make the

transmission of radio signals more profitable, on a two-fold

strategy.

(3) A. NO CHANGE B. but had a decision C. deciding D. yet decided

3. The best answer is A, because the use of the verb decided results in a clear, complete, and logical sentence. The other choices contain defects in sentence structure. Choices B and D each add a coordinating conjunction (but and yet, respectively) that distorts the meaning of the sentence and creates faulty subordination. Choice C creates a sentence fragment, because using the present participle deciding (instead of decided) deprives the sentence of a predicate.

3

ACT of the Day

plan succeeded4

     First, he would entice an audience with daily programming of great

variety. Second, he would sell this audience the radio receivers

necessary to listen to this entertainment. The

beyond anyone's expectations.

(4) A. NO CHANGE B. successful planning was C. success plan was D. plans succeeding

2

3

4

ACT of the Day

plan succeeded4

     First, he would entice an audience with daily programming of great

variety. Second, he would sell this audience the radio receivers

necessary to listen to this entertainment. The

beyond anyone's expectations.

(4) A. NO CHANGE B. successful planning was C. success plan was D. plans succeeding

4. The best answer is A, which clearly conveys the idea that the vice president's plan was very successful. The other choices contain defects in either style or sentence structure. In Choice B, the intended meaning of the sentence is distorted; the plan itself was successful, not the act of planning. In Choice C, the word success is not an adjective, yet it is improperly used as one. Choice D results in a sentence fragment, because it proposes the present participle succeeding instead of a predicate form.

2

3

4

ACT of the Day

      Then a vice president of Westinghouse, looking for a way to make the

transmission of radio signals more profitable, decided on a two-fold

strategy. First, he would entice an audience with daily programming of

great variety. Second, he would sell this audience the radio receivers

necessary to listen to this entertainment. The plan succeeded beyond

anyone's expectations.

(5) Which of the following sequences of sentences will make Paragraph 2 most logical?

A. NO CHANGE B. 1, 4, 3, 2 C. 2, 1, 3, 4 D. 4, 1, 2, 3

2

3

4

1

5

ACT of the Day

      Then a vice president of Westinghouse, looking for a way to make the

transmission of radio signals more profitable, decided on a two-fold

strategy. First, he would entice an audience with daily programming of

great variety. Second, he would sell this audience the radio receivers

necessary to listen to this entertainment. The plan succeeded beyond

anyone's expectations.

(5) Which of the following sequences of sentences will make Paragraph 2 most logical?

A. NO CHANGE B. 1, 4, 3, 2 C. 2, 1, 3, 4 D. 4, 1, 2, 3

5. The best answer is A, because this places the sentences in this paragraph in the most logical order. The other choices create faulty logic within the paragraph. With Choice B, Sentence 4 is placed after Sentence 1, making the events occur out of chronological order. Choice C also arranges the sentences so that the events do not occur in a chronological order. Choice D is illogical because this sequence suggests that the vice president's plan succeeded before he had even conceived it.

2

3

4

1

5

ACT of the Day

     The federal Radio Division in Washington, D.C., was created to license

stations, it had no power to regulate them.

(6) A. NO CHANGE B. since C. thus D. but

because6

ACT of the Day

     The federal Radio Division in Washington, D.C., was created to license

stations, it had no power to regulate them.

(6) A. NO CHANGE B. since C. thus D. but

6. The best answer is D, which uses the coordinating conjunction but to logically connect the two clauses in the sentence. The other choices introduce defects in logic. Choices A and B (because and since, respectively) propose subordinating conjunctions that suggest a cause-effect relationship between the clauses that isn't supported by the essay. The use of the adverb thus in Choice C creates a comma splice as well as another logic problem: the creation of the federal Radio Division did not result in its lack of power to regulate.

because6

ACT of the Day

     The federal Radio Division in Washington, D.C., was created to license

stations, but it had no power to regulate them. Broadcasters multiplied

wildly, some helping themselves to the more desirable frequencies, others

increasing their transmission power at will.

(7) Which of the alternatives provides the most logical and succinct conclusion for Paragraph 3?

A. NO CHANGE B. Chaos reigned. C. There were some problems. D. The government was always in control.

Chaos means things were7out of control.

7 (cont.)

ACT of the Day

     The federal Radio Division in Washington, D.C., was created to license

stations, but it had no power to regulate them. Broadcasters multiplied

wildly, some helping themselves to the more desirable frequencies, others

increasing their transmission power at will.

(7) Which of the alternatives provides the most logical and succinct conclusion for Paragraph 3?

A. NO CHANGE B. Chaos reigned. C. There were some problems. D. The government was always in control.

7. The best answer is B, which is the most logical and succinct conclusion to the paragraph. "Chaos reigned" clearly carries to conclusion the idea expressed in the preceding two sentences (that is, that the lack of regulation brought disorder and confusion to the broadcasting industry). Choice B also provides an effective transition from Paragraph 3 to Paragraph 4. None of the other choices logically and effectively conclude Paragraph 3. Choice A changes the subject and creates an irrelevancy by defining the word chaos. By stating "There were some problems," Choice C weakly concludes the paragraph with an understatement. Choice D creates a kind of irony, but this irony is not in keeping with the tone of the essay.

Chaos means things were7out of control

7 (cont.)

ACT of the Day

        Yet even in the midst of such anarchy, 

of a medium whose regulation seemed

imminent.

(8) A. NO CHANGE B. some saw clearly the commercial possibilities and organizations C. some organizations saw clearly the commercial possibilities D. organizations saw clearly

Some commercial possibilities8and organizations saw clearly

8 (cont.)

4

ACT of the Day

        Yet even in the midst of such anarchy, 

of a medium whose regulation seemed

imminent.

(8) A. NO CHANGE B. some saw clearly the commercial possibilities and organizations C. some organizations saw clearly the commercial possibilities D. organizations saw clearly

8. The best answer is C, because it is the only response that clearly expresses the idea that, despite the anarchy in the broadcasting industry, some organizations saw commercial possibilities. The other choices propose wordings that are either ambiguous or contain defects in style or sentence structure. Choice A contains a misplaced modifier. The word organizations can be modified by "in the midst of such anarchy," but the phrase "some commercial possibilities" cannot be. Choices B and D are unclear and ambiguous.

Some commercial possibilities8and organizations saw clearly

8 (cont.)

4

ACT of the Day

In 1926, RCA paid the American Telephone & Telegraph Company one

million dollars for station WEAF in New York City—and NBC was born.

the Radio Law of 1927 was enacted.

(9) A. NO CHANGE B. A year later, C. Factually, D. In conclusion,

Years later9

ACT of the Day

In 1926, RCA paid the American Telephone & Telegraph Company one

million dollars for station WEAF in New York City—and NBC was born.

the Radio Law of 1927 was enacted.

(9) A. NO CHANGE B. A year later, C. Factually, D. In conclusion,

9. The best answer is B, which proposes the most logical transitional phrase to connect this sentence with the preceding one. The other choices are either illogical or create poor transitions. Choice A would only confuse the reader because the Radio Law of 1927 did not occur "years later" it occurred just one year later. Choice C does not logically connect the two sentences. Choice D is also illogical because a conclusion is not being made at this point in the essay.

Years later9

ACT of the Day

It authorized licensing and of policing the broadcasters.

(10) A. NO CHANGE B. controlling C. the control of D. OMIT the underlined portion.

it’s control for10

ACT of the Day

It authorized licensing and of policing the broadcasters.

(10) A. NO CHANGE B. controlling C. the control of D. OMIT the underlined portion.

10. The best answer is C, which provides parallel construction within the sentence. In Choice C, the coordinated phrases "of licensing" and "of policing" are effectively presented in parallel forms. None of the other choices make these elements parallel. Choices B and D both create faulty parallelism by proposing the phrase "licensing and of policing" as a compound direct object of the sentence. Also, in Choice A, the use of the contraction it's is grammatically incorrect.

it’s control for10

ACT of the Day

  The RCA executives created the powerful NBC network were

right to see that sizable profits would come from this new medium.

(11) A. NO CHANGE B. which C. having D. as

who11

5

ACT of the Day

  The RCA executives created the powerful NBC network were

right to see that sizable profits would come from this new medium.

(11) A. NO CHANGE B. which C. having D. as

11. The best answer is A, which proposes the correct relative pronoun to link the subject of the sentence ("the RCA executives") with the clause that describes the subject ("who created the powerful NBC network"). Choice B uses which, a relative pronoun that is used to refer to things, not persons. Choice C creates a gerund phrase that would need to be set off by commas. Choice D creates both faulty logic and faulty subordination.

who11

5

ACT of the Day

an hour's advertising on nationwide radio to

forty-seven cities cost $10,180.

(12) A. NO CHANGE B. Even in 1930; for example C. Even, in 1930 for example, D. Even in 1930, for example,

Even in 1930 for example12

ACT of the Day

an hour's advertising on nationwide radio to

forty-seven cities cost $10,180.

(12) A. NO CHANGE B. Even in 1930; for example C. Even, in 1930 for example, D. Even in 1930, for example,

12. The best answer is D, which uses commas to set off the parenthetical (nonessential) element for example from the rest of the sentence. The other choices either use no punctuation or use punctuation incorrectly. Choice A creates confusion and ambiguity by allowing the nonessential element to blend into the sentence. Choice B uses a semicolon instead of a comma and does not set off for example from the rest of the sentence. Choice C does not correctly identify the nonessential element in the sentence.

Even in 1930 for example12

ACT of the Day

Advertising turned broadcasting into an industry, and the untapped potential

of the airwaves

(13) A. NO CHANGE B. begins realizing it. C. began reality. D. began it's realizing.

began to be realized.13

ACT of the Day

Advertising turned broadcasting into an industry, and the untapped potential

of the airwaves

(13) A. NO CHANGE B. begins realizing it. C. began reality. D. began it's realizing.

13. The best answer is A, because it proposes a clear and idiomatic phrasing and a consistency of verb tense in the sentence. The other choices have defects in clarity, logic, and sentence structure. Choice B makes the sentence unclear and creates a tense shift--from the past tense (turned) to the present tense (begins). Choice C results in a sentence that has no logical meaning. Choice D is unclear and illogical; also, it can be ruled out because it uses the contraction it's incorrectly.

began to be realized.13

ACT of the Day

[1]     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, however, had scarcely been touched. [2]     [1] Then a vice president of Westinghouse, looking for a way to make the transmission of radio signals more profitable, decided on a two-fold strategy. [2] First, he would entice an audience with daily programming of great variety. [3] Second, he would sell this audience the radio receivers necessary to listen to this entertainment. [4] The plan succeeded beyond anyone's expectations.

ACT of the Day[3]

     The federal Radio Division in Washington, D.C., was created to license stations, but it had no power to regulate them. Broadcasters multiplied wildly, some helping themselves to the more desirable frequencies, others increasing their transmission power at will. Chaos reigned.[4]     Yet even in the midst of such anarchy, some organizations saw clearly the commercial possibilities of a medium whose regulation seemed imminent. In 1926, RCA paid the American Telephone & Telegraph Company one million dollars for station WEAF in New York City—and NBC was born. A year later, the Radio Law of 1927 was enacted. It authorized the control of licensing and of policing the broadcasters.[5]      The RCA executives who created the powerful NBC network were right to see that sizable profits would come from this new medium. Even in 1930, for example, an hour's advertising on nationwide radio to forty-seven cities cost $10,180. Advertising turned broadcasting into an industry, and the untapped potential of the airwaves began to be realized.

ACT of the Day

(14) The writer wishes to add the following sentence to the essay:

Nowadays, no matter where you are, it's hard to be far from a radio.

If added, this sentence would best support and most logically be placed:

A. before the first sentence of Paragraph 2.B. after the last sentence of Paragraph 2.C. before the last sentence of Paragraph 3.D. after the last sentence of Paragraph 4.

ACT of the Day

(14) The writer wishes to add the following sentence to the essay:

Nowadays, no matter where you are, it's hard to be far from a radio.

If added, this sentence would best support and most logically be placed:

A. before the first sentence of Paragraph 2.B. after the last sentence of Paragraph 2.C. before the last sentence of Paragraph 3.D. after the last sentence of Paragraph 4.

14. The best answer is B, which logically places the new sentence at the end of Paragraph 2, where it supports the idea that the vice president's "plan succeeded beyond anyone's expectation." The other choices create organizational problems in the essay. Choice A places the sentence at the beginning of Paragraph 2, where it would provide a poor transition from Paragraph 1 to Paragraph 2. The placement proposed by Choice C creates a disruption in the flow of Paragraph 3. The new sentence does not support the information in that paragraph, which focuses on the lack of regulation during the early years of broadcasting. The placement proposed by Choice D creates a weak conclusion to Paragraph 4 because the new sentence does not logically follow the preceding information, which focuses on the licensing and policing of broadcasters.

ACT of the Day

[1]     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, however, had scarcely been touched. [2]     [1] Then a vice president of Westinghouse, looking for a way to make the transmission of radio signals more profitable, decided on a two-fold strategy. [2] First, he would entice an audience with daily programming of great variety. [3] Second, he would sell this audience the radio receivers necessary to listen to this entertainment. [4] The plan succeeded beyond anyone's expectations.

ACT of the Day[3]

     The federal Radio Division in Washington, D.C., was created to license stations, but it had no power to regulate them. Broadcasters multiplied wildly, some helping themselves to the more desirable frequencies, others increasing their transmission power at will. Chaos reigned.[4]     Yet even in the midst of such anarchy, some organizations saw clearly the commercial possibilities of a medium whose regulation seemed imminent. In 1926, RCA paid the American Telephone & Telegraph Company one million dollars for station WEAF in New York City—and NBC was born. A year later, the Radio Law of 1927 was enacted. It authorized the control of licensing and of policing the broadcasters.[5]      The RCA executives who created the powerful NBC network were right to see that sizable profits would come from this new medium. Even in 1930, for example, an hour's advertising on nationwide radio to forty-seven cities cost $10,180. Advertising turned broadcasting into an industry, and the untapped potential of the airwaves began to be realized.

ACT of the Day

(15) The writer has been asked to write an essay assessing the development of modern technologies after the First World War. Would this essay fulfill that assignment?

A. Yes; the writer focuses exclusively on the commercial possibilities of radio.B. Yes; the writer focuses on the need for federal regulation in the world of broadcasting.C. No; the writer focuses on the commercial possibilities of radio, just one technology.D. No; the writer focuses on the contrast between early radio and radio broadcasting of today.

ACT of the Day

(15) The writer has been asked to write an essay assessing the development of modern technologies after the First World War. Would this essay fulfill that assignment?

A. Yes; the writer focuses exclusively on the commercial possibilities of radio.B. Yes; the writer focuses on the need for federal regulation in the world of broadcasting.C. No; the writer focuses on the commercial possibilities of radio, just one technology.D. No; the writer focuses on the contrast between early radio and radio broadcasting of today. 15. The best answer is C, which clearly states that the essay has not fulfilled the assignment, because it has a focus that is more narrow and specific than "assessing the development of modern technologies after the First World War." Choice A is illogical because while it says, yes, the writer has fulfilled the assignment, it also states the opposite by saying that the essay is exclusively about radio. Choice B does not even mention the development of technologies. Choice D describes a contrast between early radio and radio of today, a subject that is not addressed in this essay.