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About ACT Exam
Reading Answer Key
1. The best answer is C. Lines
24-25 express the narrator's opinion that "Her hair must have been sadly
thin," and other evidence in support of this view appears in the third paragraph
(lines 23-28). While the narrator thinks of literary figures (line 24), there
is no indication that Mrs. Sennett wears a hat for this reason, so B is a
choice not supported by the passage. She wears a hat all the time,
"indoors and out," which rules out A. There is no evidence that she
has unique taste in clothing, which blocks D as a good answer.
2. The best answer is H. It is
clear from the passage that Mrs. Sennett has affection for the children; we
know that while she needs to and would rather rest, she has returned with the
children before, and will do so again now. While the children do hang onto her
skirt, there is no indication that Mrs. Sennett is bothered by this (G).
Because Mrs. Sennett is "almost stone-deaf" (lines 16-7), she would
not be disturbed by their noise, which rules out F. G and J are choices
contradicted by Mrs. Sennett's apparent affection for the children, and by her
generous personality; th1ere is no evidence to suggest that the children are
disobedient or that their behavior bothers her.
3. The best answer is C. We
know that Mrs. Sennett is old, looked ill (line 28), and is tired (lines
31-32). There is no indication that Mrs. Sennett feels annoyance (A) or anger
(B); she has agreed to go, and must know that she is wanted. D is too strong;
while she is willing, she probably is not "enthusiastic" about going.
Her words in lines 91-93 do not show enthusiasm.
4. The best answer is F. There
are indications provided by lines 79 and 81-83 that the Curleys cry on cue to
get what they want. There is no evidence in the passage that Mrs. Sennett is
aware of their manipulation, which rules out J. Neither is there any evidence
available to support G or H.
5. The best answer is B. The
key is clearly supported by lines 16-18. All of the other foils are
contradicted by the passage: C by line 22, and A and D by her personality as it
is revealed over the course of the passage.
6. The best answer is J. The
last 30+ lines of the passage focus on this issue. H is simply not true: the
children are speaking to Mrs. Sennett, not the narrator. There is no indication
that they are reluctant to leave, which rules out G. F can be eliminated
because the children do not seem offended by Mrs. Sennett's words; it is more
likely that they are merely continuing their manipulative behavior (see lines
79, 81-83).
7. The best answer is A. This
choice is consistent with Mrs. Sennett's generous personality, and Mrs.
Sennett's action comes in direct reaction to the narrator's change of
expression (line 11). There is no evidence anywhere in the passage in support
of B; C is obviously not true (she has performed her duties to the Curleys'
satisfaction); and there is never any evidence that Mrs. Sennett is bothered by
the noise the children make--she is "almost stone-deaf," after all,
which rules out D.
8. The best answer is H. Both
characters are considerate and exchange favors: the narrator lends Mrs. Sennett
the car (lines 51-56) and Mrs. Sennett gives the narrator many presents (lines
59-60). There is no indication that their relationship has been anything but a
relatively short-term, neighborly friendship, which makes both F and J choices
that are not supported by the passage. G is contradicted by examples of both
characters' sensitivity to the other (lines 11-16, 80).
9. The best answer is D. A, B,
and C do not make sense in the context of the sentence.
10. The best answer is F. Mary
tells the narrator of this earlier event as they sit watching the sunset (lines
67-68). Mrs. Sennett had told the narrator of her intentions before Mr. Curley
even arrived (lines 61-63), so G cannot be correct. There is no evidence in the
passage that supports H, which makes it implausible. The narrator learns of
Mrs. Sennett's plans to return to Boston the next day, which rules out J.
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