ACT Essentials
®
English and Reading
2015–16 Edition
Student Workbook
MasteryPrep
ACT is the registered trademark of ACT Inc. MasteryPrep LLC has no affiliation
with ACT Inc., and the ACT Mastery program is not approved or endorsed by ACT Inc.
®
®
Table of Contents
Lesson 1: English Pacing (Part 1)..................................................................................................... 7
Lesson 2: Using Commas................................................................................................................ 15
Lesson 3: Transition Words.............................................................................................................. 27
Lesson 4: Run-Ons and Fragments................................................................................................. 37
Lesson 5: Reading Pacing (Part 1).................................................................................................. 51
Lesson 6: Finding Details................................................................................................................ 59
Lesson 7: English Strategy.............................................................................................................. 79
Lesson 8: English Pacing (Part 2)................................................................................................... 93
Lesson 9: Redundancy.................................................................................................................. 101
Lesson 10: Coordinating Conjunctions...........................................................................................113
Lesson 11: Drawing Conclusions................................................................................................... 125
Lesson 12: Summarize Key Ideas and Details.............................................................................. 137
Lesson 13: Identify Purpose.......................................................................................................... 153
Lesson 14: English Pacing (Part 3)................................................................................................ 173
Lesson 15: Reading Strategy......................................................................................................... 181
Lesson 16: Reading Pacing (Part 2).............................................................................................. 201
Glossary........................................................................................................................................ 212
Lesson 2
Using Commas
It’s raining, cats and dogs!
ACT Essentials – English and Reading
®
Learning Targets
1. Identify several different strategies to use in comma usage conflicts
2. Use commas for different purposes in several types of sentences
Self-Assessment
Circle the number that corresponds to your confidence level in your knowledge of this subject before beginning the
lesson. A score of 1 means you are completely lost, and a score of 4 means you have mastered the skills. After you
finish the lesson, return to the bottom of this page and circle your new confidence level to show your improvement.
Before Lesson
1
2
3
4
After Lesson
1
Learning Targets
FANBOYS
2
Lists and Series
3
4
Introductory Words and Phrases
16
ACT Practice
Sum It Up
Lesson 2 – Using Commas
FANBOYS
1.
The five-foot gorilla lives at the zoo but it is originally from Africa.
2. My music teacher from high school was at the restaurant and I ran over to say hello as soon as I saw him.
3. We started the music and immediately the baby started to dance!
Comma Rule 1:
1.
I prefer the color purple but Kevin likes red better.
2. My grandmother came to America hoping to escape the terrors of war in her native country and I’m glad
she did because it was here she met my grandfather!
3. My friend Bella and I recently took a ballet class so one night we went to the Bass Performance Hall to
see a show by the ballerina Kristina Haronoff.
4. The man paid me twenty dollars for the book and he said he would have paid twice as much if it had been
a first edition.
5. The very idea of spiders and even just the word spiders terrify us and both tend to give us chills.
6. The two types of cats are short-haired and long-haired and each has different grooming requirements.
English Tip
Sounds Right: If a comma causes you to pause your reading at an awkward location, it’s almost always
wrong. Try the “secret agent move” to sound out comma pauses and determine if the comma is misplaced.
Place a finger over one ear and whisper the answers. Using this technique, you will hear your whispers
loud and clear without disrupting the others testing around you.
Learning Targets
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and Phrases
17
ACT Practice
Sum It Up
ACT Essentials – English and Reading
®
Lists and Series
1.
Kim ordered a large coffee pancakes eggs and hashbrowns for breakfast.
2. Brandon had homework in geometry world history Spanish and even PE!
3. Azalea lived at home with her parents her grandma one brother one sister and a dog.
Comma Rule 2:
1.
Old McDonald raises various livestock poultry and some domestic animals on his farm.
2. Miriam decided to try out for the softball swimming and cross country teams at her school.
3. He stopped by the grocery store to pick up fruit and crackers to bring to the party.
4. The Himalayan teapots are quite rare exceedingly lovely and richly intricate.
5. Mike snuck into the kitchen scarfed down some cookies swept away the crumbs that might give him away
and was out in a flash.
Learning Targets
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and Phrases
18
ACT Practice
Sum It Up
Lesson 2 – Using Commas
Lists and Series
1.
Jamie snuck into the kitchen and scarfed down some cookies.
2. Her trip abroad was both incredibly enlightening and overwhelmingly exhausting.
3. After the speech, congressman and presidential candidate Ford Peterson took some time to answer
questions from reporters in the audience.
Comma Rule 3:
Learning Targets
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and Phrases
19
ACT Practice
Sum It Up
ACT Essentials – English and Reading
®
Introductory Words and Phrases
1.
Even though I don’t like pickles I ate a spoonful of relish when my friend dared me.
2. Growling and barking the dog warned the mailman not to come any closer.
3. As if being grounded weren’t enough her mom also took away her cell phone.
Comma Rule 4:
English Tip
Decoding: Look for giveaway words, such as when, while, even though, and although. These words
create dependent clauses. If the dependent clause comes first in the sentence, you will need to use a
comma to separate the dependent clause from the independent clause.
Learning Targets
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and Phrases
20
ACT Practice
Sum It Up
Lesson 2 – Using Commas
1
1
Set One
1. A.
B.
C.
D.
We ordered in French, so it took the waiter a
few minutes to understand and bring out our drinks.
NO CHANGE
take the order,
take the order;
understand them
2.F.NO CHANGE
G. clear is that,
H. clear is, that
J. clear is that
What’s already clear, is that the image of coal
miners as rough men fails to take into account the
great diversity within the profession.
3.A.
NO CHANGE
B. stripes, hung it,
C. stripes hung it,
D. stripes, hung it;
Ms. Barnes, the librarian, then decorated a
banner with red, white, and blue stripes; hung it; and
began pouring soda for the class.
END OF SET ONE
STOP! DO NOT GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE
UNTIL TOLD TO DO SO.
Learning Targets
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and Phrases
21
ACT Practice
Sum It Up
ACT Essentials – English and Reading
®
1
1
Set Two
4.F.NO CHANGE
G. water and, they decided
H. water, and they decided
J. water and, they decided,
The explorers reached the edge of the forest,
where they collected water and they decided to set
up camp for the night.
5.A.
NO CHANGE
B. in years; she still remembered
C. in years she, still remembered
D. in years, she still remembered
Even though she hadn’t practiced the piano
in years she still remembered how to play the piece
almost perfectly.
6.F.NO CHANGE
G. then, drove around, the block
H. then drove around the block,
J. then drove around the block
Once she started the car, she pulled out of the
driveway and then, drove around the block and went
to the store.
END OF SET TWO
STOP! DO NOT GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE
UNTIL TOLD TO DO SO.
Learning Targets
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and Phrases
22
ACT Practice
Sum It Up
Lesson 2 – Using Commas
1
1
Set Three
7. A.
B.
C.
D.
My friend and I wanted to go to the beach, so
we gathered our change together and got on the bus.
NO CHANGE
the beach so we
the beach so, we
the beach; so we
8.F.NO CHANGE
G. up in Florida in the 1990s
H. up, in Florida in the 1990s
J. up in Florida in the 1990s,
Growing up, in Florida, in the 1990s Sara
developed a deep appreciation for video games.
9.A.
NO CHANGE
B. too hot, too dangerous, or too secluded
C. too hot, too dangerous, or too secluded,
D. too hot, too dangerous, or to secluded
In desert sands and sweltering canyons once
thought too hot, too dangerous or too secluded to
support a community, there exist small villages
determined to fight for survival.
END OF SET THREE
STOP! DO NOT GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE
UNTIL TOLD TO DO SO.
Learning Targets
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and Phrases
23
ACT Practice
Sum It Up
ACT Essentials – English and Reading
®
1
1
Set Four
Next, my sister and I, braided each other’s
10.F. NO CHANGE
G. Next my sister and I,
H. Next my sister, and I
J. Next, my sister and I
Every winter, thousands of tourists, come
11.A.NO CHANGE
B. thousands, of tourists
C. thousands of tourists
D. thousands of tourists’
hair.
to Colorado. They enjoy the snowy mountains and
scenic views.
12. F. NO CHANGE
G. sweat dripping, from his forehead
H. sweat, dripping from his, forehead
J. sweat dripping from his forehead
I can see him now, standing in the hallway,
sweat dripping from his forehead, hands worn from
the day’s work.
END OF SET FOUR
STOP! DO NOT GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE
UNTIL TOLD TO DO SO.
Learning Targets
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and Phrases
24
ACT Practice
Sum It Up
Lesson 2 – Using Commas
1
1
Set Five
13.A.NO CHANGE
B. over, the children had returned home,
C. over the children had returned home,
D. over the children had returned home;
The school day was over, the children had
returned home; and everyone was sitting in the
kitchen waiting for dinner.
14.F. NO CHANGE
G. mythology of the ancient tribes, of Ireland
H. mythology, of the ancient tribes, of Ireland
J. mythology of the ancient tribes of Ireland,
In the mythology, of the ancient tribes of
Ireland, selkies live as seals in the sea and become
human on land.
15. A.
B.
C.
D.
The heart-shaped, dark-brown chocolates sat
waiting for my valentine on his desk.
NO CHANGE
heart-shaped, dark-brown, chocolates
heart-shaped, dark-brown chocolates,
heart-shaped dark-brown chocolates,
END OF SET FIVE
STOP! DO NOT GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE
UNTIL TOLD TO DO SO.
Learning Targets
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and Phrases
25
ACT Practice
Sum It Up
ACT Essentials – English and Reading
®
Sum It Up
Using Commas
Clause
A phrase with a subject and predicate
Independent Clause
A clause that can stand on its own as a complete sentence
Dependent Clause
A clause that is not a complete idea and so cannot stand on its own as a complete sentence
Conjunction
A word used to connect words, phrases, clauses, or sentences
Tips and Techniques
Sounds Right: Remember to eliminate any commas that create awkward-sounding pauses or otherwise
seem misplaced.
Learning Targets
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and Phrases
26
ACT Practice
Sum It Up
ACT Essentials
®
English and Reading
2015–16 Edition
Teacher Manual
MasteryPrep
ACT is the registered trademark of ACT Inc. MasteryPrep LLC has no affiliation
with ACT Inc., and the ACT Mastery program is not approved or endorsed by ACT Inc.
®
®
Table of Contents
Lesson 1: English Pacing (Part 1)................................................................................................... 13
Lesson 2: Using Commas................................................................................................................ 27
Lesson 3: Transition Words.............................................................................................................. 45
Lesson 4: Run-Ons and Fragments................................................................................................. 61
Lesson 5: Reading Pacing (Part 1).................................................................................................. 83
Lesson 6: Finding Details................................................................................................................ 95
Lesson 7: English Strategy.............................................................................................................115
Lesson 8: English Pacing (Part 2)................................................................................................. 145
Lesson 9: Redundancy.................................................................................................................. 157
Lesson 10: Coordinating Conjunctions.......................................................................................... 177
Lesson 11: Drawing Conclusions................................................................................................... 197
Lesson 12: Summarize Key Ideas and Details.............................................................................. 215
Lesson 13: Identify Purpose.......................................................................................................... 235
Lesson 14: English Pacing (Part 3)................................................................................................ 263
Lesson 15: Reading Strategy......................................................................................................... 275
Lesson 16: Reading Pacing (Part 2).............................................................................................. 309
Lesson 2 – Using Commas
Using Commas
This lesson covers comma errors that frequently show up on the ACT English test. The errors covered include those that
create basic sense problems, errors in series, and errors that create ambiguity. Students will learn when it is appropriate
to delete or insert commas to best express the meaning of the sentence.
ACT Standards:
PUN 201. Delete commas that create basic sense problems (e.g., between verb and direct object)
PUN 302. Use appropriate punctuation in straightforward situations (e.g., simple items in a series)
PUN 403. Use commas to avoid obvious ambiguity (e.g., to set off a long introductory element from the rest of the
sentence when a misreading is possible)
PUN 501. Delete commas in long or involved sentences when an incorrect understanding of the sentence suggests a
pause that should be punctuated (e.g., between the elements of a compound subject or compound verb joined by and)
PUN 601. Use commas to avoid ambiguity when the syntax or language is sophisticated (e.g., to set off a complex series
of items)
Lesson 2
Using Commas
It’s raining, cats and dogs!
Using Commas
Learning Targets
Quick Check
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and
Phrases
ACT Practice
Student Page 15
27
ACT Essentials Teacher Manual – English and Reading
®
Learning Targets
Next Page
Next Slide
>> Review learning objectives with your students. After reviewing the learning objectives, ask students to assess
their knowledge and confidence level on these objectives. They should rate themselves on a scale of 1 to 4, with 1
being not confident or uncertain, and 4 being completely confident or certain. They should circle this number in the
designated section of their workbooks.
ACT Essentials – English and Reading
®
Learning Targets
1. Identify several different strategies to use in comma usage conflicts
2. Use commas for different purposes in several types of sentences
Learning Targets

Identify several different strategies to use in comma
usage conflicts

Use commas for different purposes in several types of
sentences
Self-Assessment
Circle the number that corresponds to your confidence level in your knowledge of this subject before beginning the
lesson. A score of 1 means you are completely lost, and a score of 4 means you have mastered the skills. After you
Self-Assessment
finish the lesson, return to the bottom of this page and circle your new confidence level to show your improvement.
Circle the number that corresponds to your confidence level in your
knowledge of this subject before beginning the lesson. A score of 1 means you
are completely lost, and a score of 4 means you have mastered the skills.
After you finish the lesson, return to the bottom of this page and circle your
new confidence level to show your improvement.
Before Lesson
1
2
3
4
After Lesson
1
Learning Targets
FANBOYS
2
Lists and Series
3
Introductory Words and Phrases
16
Student Page 16
28
4
Learning Targets
ACT Practice
Sum It Up
Quick Check
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and
Phrases
ACT Practice
Lesson 2 – Using Commas
Quick Check
Next Slide
Quick Check
>> Before giving the students the definitions or answers, be sure to see if they
What’s the definition of a clause?

Independent clause

can come up with possible answers themselves.
>> Teacher Dialogue:


What’s the definition of a clause?
>> Teacher Dialogue:
A clause that can stand on its own as a complete
sentence

Example: I walked my dog. I ran after my dog.
Dependent clause
Clause: a phrase with a subject and verb
Learning Targets
A phrase with a subject and verb

Quick Check

A clause that is not a complete idea, so it’s not a
complete sentence

Example: While I was running… Unless I ran…
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and
Phrases
ACT Practice
Define an independent clause and give examples.
Independent Clause: a clause that can stand on its own as a complete
sentence
Examples:
•
I walked my dog.
•
I ran after my dog.
>> Teacher Dialogue:
Define a dependent clause and give examples.
Dependent Clause: a clause that is not a complete idea, so it’s not a complete
sentence. It’s dependent on another clause that is in the sentence.
Emphasize to students that it is still a clause because it has a subject and a
verb.
Examples:
•
While I was running
•
Unless I ran
29
ACT Essentials Teacher Manual – English and Reading
®
Quick Check
Next Slide
Quick Check

Learning Targets
Conjunction

A word used to connect words, phrases, clauses, or
sentences

Examples:
Quick Check

Coordinating Conjunctions: FANBOYS (for, and,
nor, but, or , yet, so)

Subordinating Conjunctions: Although, since,
because, while
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and
Phrases
ACT Practice
>> Teacher Dialogue:
Define a conjunction.
Conjunction: a word used to connect words, phrases, clauses, or sentences
Examples:
•
Coordinating conjunctions: FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
•
Subordinating conjunctions: although, since, because, while
Next Slide
>> Teacher Dialogue:
Quick Check

Colons and Semicolons

Colons come before a list or explanation and after
an independent clause.

Semicolons are similar to periods. They join two
independent clauses without a conjunction. If you
can use a period, you can use a semicolon.
Colons: used before a list or explanation and after an independent clause
>> Teacher Dialogue:
Learning Targets
Quick Check
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and
Phrases
ACT Practice
When do you use a colon?
When can you use a semicolon?
Semicolons: are just like periods; they join two independent clauses without
a conjunction. They show a tighter connection between the two clauses than
periods do.
If you can use a period, you can use a semicolon!
30
Lesson 2 – Using Commas
FANBOYS
Next Page
Next Slide
>> Students punctuate the three sentences at the top of the page. Call on students for the answers.
>> Correct answers:
1. The five-foot gorilla lives at the zoo, but it is originally from Africa.
2.My music teacher from high school was at the restaurant, and I ran over to say hello as soon as I saw him.
3. We started the music, and immediately the baby started to dance! >> Teacher Dialogue:
What’s the rule for using commas in these sentences?
Collaborate with the students to create a rule that applies to all of these sentences. The rule should match up with this
main point: Commas are used with coordinating conjunctions to connect two independent clauses.
>> When the students agree on how the rule should be stated, write it on the board, and have students write the rule in
their workbooks.
Lesson 2 – Using Commas
FANBOYS
1.
The five-foot gorilla lives at the zoo but it is originally from Africa.
2.
My music teacher from high school was at the restaurant and I ran over to say hello as soon as I saw him.
3.
We started the music and immediately the baby started to dance!
FANBOYS
Comma Rule 1:
1.
I prefer the color purple but Kevin likes red better.
2.
My grandmother came to America hoping to escape the terrors of war in her native country and I’m glad
she did because it was here she met my grandfather!
3.
My friend Bella and I recently took a ballet class so one night we went to the Bass Performance Hall to
see a show by the ballerina Kristina Haronoff.
4.
The man paid me twenty dollars for the book and he said he would have paid twice as much if it had been
a first edition.
5.
The very idea of spiders and even just the word spiders terrify us and both tend to give us chills.
6.
The two types of cats are short-haired and long-haired and each has different grooming requirements.

The five-foot gorilla lives at the zoo, but it is originally from Africa.

My music teacher from high school was at the restaurant, and I ran
over to say hello as soon as I saw him.

We started the music, and immediately the baby started to dance!
Commas are used with coordinating conjunctions to connect two
independent clauses.
English Tip
Sounds Right: If a comma causes you to pause your reading at an awkward location, it’s almost always
wrong. Try the “secret agent move” to sound out comma pauses and determine if the comma is misplaced.
Place a finger over one ear and whisper the answers. Using this technique, you will hear your whispers
loud and clear without disrupting the others testing around you.
Learning Targets
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and Phrases
ACT Practice
Learning Targets
Quick Check
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and
Phrases
ACT Practice
Sum It Up
17
Student Page 17
31
ACT Essentials Teacher Manual – English and Reading
®
FANBOYS
Next Slide
FANBOYS
1. I prefer the color purple but Kevin likes red better.
2. My grandmother came to America hoping to escape the terrors of war
in her native country and I’m glad she did because it was here she met
my grandfather!
3. My friend Bella and I recently took a ballet class so one night we went
to the Bass Performance Hall to see a show by the ballerina Kristina
Haronoff.
4. The man paid me twenty dollars for the book and he said he’d pay
twice as much if it had been a first edition.
5. The very idea of spiders terrifies us and both tend to give us chills.
6. The two types of cats are short-haired and long-haired and each has
different grooming requirements.
Learning Targets
Quick Check
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and
Phrases
ACT Practice
>> Have students practice inserting commas with FANBOYS on the bottom of the
page in their student workbook. Review correct answers with the class.
>> Correct answers:
1. I prefer the color purple, but Kevin likes red better.
2. My grandmother came to America hoping to escape the terrors of war
in her native country, and I’m glad she did because it was here she met my
grandfather!
3. My friend Bella and I recently took a ballet class, so one night we went to
the Bass Performance Hall to see a show by the ballerina Kristina Haronoff.
4. The man paid me twenty dollars for the book, and he said he would have
paid twice as much if it had been a first edition.
5. The very idea of spiders, terrifies us, and both tend to give us chills.
6. The two types of cats are short-haired and long-haired, and each has
different grooming requirements.
Sounds Right: If a comma causes you to pause your reading at an awkward
location, it’s almost always wrong. Try the “Secret Agent Move” to sound out
comma pauses and determine if the comma is misplaced. Place a finger over
one ear and whisper the answers. Using this technique, you will hear your
whispers loud and clear without disrupting the others testing around you.
32
Lesson 2 – Using Commas
Lists and Series
Next Page
Next Slide
>> Students punctuate the three sentences at the top of the page. Call on students for the answers.
>> Correct answers:
1. Kim ordered a large coffee, pancakes, eggs, and hashbrowns for breakfast.
2. Brandon had homework in geometry, world history, Spanish, and even PE!
3. Azalea lived at home with her parents, her grandma, one brother, one sister, and a dog.
>> Teacher Dialogue:
What’s the rule for using commas in these sentences?
Collaborate with the students to create a rule that applies to all of these sentences. The rule should match up with this
main point: Commas are used to separate items in a list or series.
Make sure students are aware there’s also a comma between the second-to-last item and the conjunction.
>> When the students agree on how the rule should be stated, add it to the list on the board, and have the students copy
the rule in their workbooks.
ACT Essentials – English and Reading
®
Lists and Series
1.
Kim ordered a large coffee pancakes eggs and hashbrowns for breakfast.
2.
Brandon had homework in geometry world history Spanish and even PE!
3.
Azalea lived at home with her parents her grandma one brother one sister and a dog.
Lists and Series
Comma Rule 2:
1.
Old McDonald raises various livestock poultry and some domestic animals on his farm.
2.
Miriam decided to try out for the softball swimming and cross country teams at her school.
3.
He stopped by the grocery store to pick up fruit and crackers to bring to the party.
4.
The Himalayan teapots are quite rare exceedingly lovely and richly intricate.
5.
Mike snuck into the kitchen scarfed down some cookies swept away the crumbs that might give him away
and was out in a flash.
1.
Kim ordered a large coffee, pancakes, eggs, and hashbrowns
for breakfast.
2.
Brandon had homework in geometry, world history, Spanish,
and even PE!
3.
Azalea lived at home with her parents, her grandma, one
brother, one sister, and a dog.
Commas are used to separate items in a list or series.
Learning Targets
Learning Targets
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and Phrases
ACT Practice
Quick Check
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and
Phrases
ACT Practice
Sum It Up
18
Student Page 18
33
ACT Essentials Teacher Manual – English and Reading
®
Lists and Series
Next Slide
Lists and Series
Complete the activity in your workbook.
> Students practice a few on their own:
1. Old McDonald raises various livestock, poultry, and some domestic
animals on his farm.
2. Miriam decided to try out for the softball, swimming, and cross country
teams at her school.
Learning Targets
Quick Check
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and
Phrases
ACT Practice
3. He stopped by the grocery store to pick up fruit and crackers to bring to the
party.
No commas needed for #3 because there are only two items picked up at the
grocery store. Students may be tempted to put a comma after fruit.
>> Teacher Dialogue:
This rule doesn’t just apply to items on a grocery list.
These series can be more complex and may not always
look like a list. These usually involve compound
predicates or multiple modifiers.
>> Work questions 4 and 5 with the students, calling on several students to
identify the items in the “list” or series and correctly punctuating them.
Students follow along by placing the commas correctly in their workbooks.
4. The Himalayan teapots are quite rare, exceedingly lovely, and richly
intricate.
5. Mike snuck into the kitchen, scarfed down some cookies, swept away the
crumbs that might give him away, and was out in a flash.
34
Lesson 2 – Using Commas
Lists and Series
Next Page
Next Slide
Lesson 2 – Using Commas
Lists and Series
>> Students decide whether or not to use commas in these examples. They
should rely on what they’ve learned about comma + conjunction and comma +
list:
1.
Jamie snuck into the kitchen and scarfed down some cookies.
2.
Her trip abroad was both incredibly enlightening and overwhelmingly exhausting.
3.
After the speech, congressman and presidential candidate Ford Peterson took some time to answer
questions from reporters in the audience.
Comma Rule 3:
1. Jamie snuck into the kitchen and scarfed down some cookies.
No commas. Jamie—one subject—is completing two actions—compound
predicate. Students may be tempted to put a comma after kitchen,
thinking that they have two independent clauses. But if they try to identify
two subjects, they’ll only find one. Scarfed down some cookies is not a
complete thought, so it can’t stand alone.
2. Her trip abroad was both incredibly enlightening and overwhelmingly
exhausting.
Learning Targets
No additional commas are needed. Students may be tempted to put a
comma somewhere in the phrase. Break it down so the students see it
as two adjectives describing the man. It’s just like saying the quaint and
lovely house, where congressman and presidential candidate describe
Ford Peterson the same way quaint and lovely describe the house. You
wouldn’t put a comma between quaint and lovely or between lovely and
house because there are only two items in the series, and you don’t put a
comma between an adjective and a noun. These rules also apply for this
more seemingly complex version.
>> Teacher Dialogue:
Introductory Words and Phrases
ACT Practice
Sum It Up
Student Page 19
Lists and Series
►
There is a time we put commas between only two items. It looks like
this:
►
Compare the above sentence with this one:
►
We enjoyed eating Carla’s sweet, delicious cupcakes.
►
We enjoyed eating Carla’s sweet and delicious cupcakes.
►
The selfish, arrogant dictator terrorized the people.
►
The selfish and arrogant dictator terrorized the people.
►
The water supply was rapidly, dangerously decreasing.
►
The water supply was rapidly and dangerously decreasing.
A comma can come between two adjectives when it replaces a
conjunction.
Learning Targets
Quick Check
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and
Phrases
ACT Practice
There is a time you should put commas between only
two items. It looks like this:
We enjoyed eating Carla’s sweet, delicious cupcakes.
>> Teacher Dialogue:
Lists and Series
19
No comma needed because there are only two items describing her trip.
Students may be tempted to put a comma after enlightening.
3. After the speech, congressman and presidential candidate Ford Peterson
took some time to answer questions from reporters in the audience.
FANBOYS
Compare the above sentence with this one:
We enjoyed eating Carla’s sweet and delicious cupcakes.
>> Teacher Dialogue:
Look at these examples:
The selfish, arrogant dictator terrorized the people.
The selfish and arrogant dictator terrorized the people.
The water supply was rapidly, dangerously decreasing.
The water supply was rapidly and dangerously decreasing.
>> Based on these pairs of sentences, create a rule with the students that can be
added to the list on the board and in their workbooks.
A comma should come between two adjectives when it replaces a conjunction.
If the answer choices have the same words and commas in different
locations, you’re dealing with a comma question. Remember the list you made
in class to check it against the answer choices.
35
ACT Essentials Teacher Manual – English and Reading
®
Introductory Words or Phrases
Next Page
Next Slide
>> Students punctuate the three sentences at the top of the page. Call on students for the answers.
>> Correct answers:
1. Even though I don’t like pickles, I ate a spoonful of relish when my friend dared me.
2. Growling and barking, the dog warned the mailman not to come any closer.
3. As if being grounded weren’t enough, her mom also took away her cell phone.
>> Teacher Dialogue:
What’s the rule for using commas in these sentences?
Collaborate with the students to create a rule that applies to all of these sentences.
The rule should match up with this main point: Commas come after introductory words, phrases, or prepositional
phrases longer than five words.
The students may not come up with this exact rule, but if what they agree on aligns with this content, put it up on
the board, and students will write in their notebooks. Underneath this rule, you can add a few examples (introductory
words, introductory phrases, prepositional phrases longer than five words.)
Look for giveaway words, such as when, while, even though, and although. These words create dependent clauses.
If the dependent clause comes first in the sentence, you will need to use a comma to separate the dependent clause
from the independent clause.
ACT Essentials – English and Reading
®
Introductory Words and Phrases
1.
Even though I don’t like pickles I ate a spoonful of relish when my friend dared me.
2.
Growling and barking the dog warned the mailman not to come any closer.
3.
As if being grounded weren’t enough her mom also took away her cell phone.
Introductory Words or Phrases
Comma Rule 4:
1. Even though I don’t like pickles, I ate a spoonful of relish when my
friend dared me.
2. Growling and barking, the dog warned the mailman not to come any
closer.
3. As if being grounded weren’t enough, her mom also took away her cell
phone.
Commas come after introductory words, phrases, or prepositional phrases
longer than five words.
English Tip
Decoding: Look for giveaway words, such as when, while, even though, and although. These words
create dependent clauses. If the dependent clause comes first in the sentence, you will need to use a
comma to separate the dependent clause from the independent clause.
Learning Targets
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and Phrases
20
Student Page 20
36
ACT Practice
Sum It Up
Learning Targets
Quick Check
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and
Phrases
ACT Practice
Lesson 2 – Using Commas
ACT Practice
Next Slide
>> Have students work on questions from the ACT practice sets here. Pacing should be 2 minutes per practice set or
40 seconds per question. The questions can also be assigned as homework if time does not permit them all being
completed during class.
ACT Practice
Work through some of the ACT practice sets in your
workbook to get a better sense of an actual ACT test.
Learning Targets
Quick Check
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and
Phrases
ACT Practice
37
ACT Essentials Teacher Manual – English and Reading
®
Set One
We ordered in French, so it took the waiter a
few minutes to understand and bring out our drinks.
1. A.
B.
C.
D.
NO CHANGE
take the order,
take the order;
understand them
1. The correct answer is A. The verbs understand and bring out are part of a compound predicate and do not require
any punctuation between them. For that reason, choice B is incorrect. The phrase and bring out our drinks is not an
independent clause, so a semicolon should not be used before it, meaning choice C is incorrect. Choice D is incorrect
because it adds the unnecessary and ambiguous them.
What’s already clear, is that the image of coal
miners as rough men fails to take into account the
great diversity within the profession.
2.F.NO CHANGE
G. clear is that,
H. clear is, that
J. clear is that
2. The correct answer is J. No comma is required inside the phrase what’s already clear is that. Choices F and H are
incorrect because they insert unnecessary commas into this phrase, while choice G is incorrect because it unnecessarily
and awkwardly separates the conjunction that from the clause it begins.
Ms. Barnes, the librarian, then decorated a
banner with red, white, and blue stripes; hung it; and
began pouring soda for the class.
3.A.
NO CHANGE
B. stripes, hung it,
C. stripes hung it,
D. stripes, hung it;
3. The correct answer is B. Decorated, hung, and began pouring are all verbs in a series and should be separated by
serial commas. Choices A and D are incorrect because they use semicolons, inappropriate in this context. Choice C is
incorrect because it misses the comma needed after stripes.
38
Student Page 21
Lesson 2 – Using Commas
Set Two
The explorers reached the edge of the forest,
where they gathered water and they decided to set up
camp for the night.
4.F.NO CHANGE
G. water and, they decided
H. water, and they decided
J. water and, they decided,
4. The correct answer is H. The word and starts a new independent clause and thus requires a comma before it.
Choice F is incorrect because it is missing the necessary comma before the coordinate conjunction and. Choices
G and J are incorrect because they move the comma after the conjunction, and choice J adds an additional
unnecessary comma.
Even though she hadn’t practiced the piano
in years she still remembered how to play the piece
almost perfectly.
5.A.
NO CHANGE
B. in years; she still remembered
C. in years she, still remembered
D. in years, she still remembered
5. The correct answer is D. Even though she hadn’t practiced the piano in years is a dependent clause and requires
a comma after it. Choice A is incorrect because it is missing necessary punctuation, while choice B is incorrect
because it uses a semicolon instead of a comma. Choice C is incorrect because it does not accurately separate
the dependent clause from the independent clause (she should be grouped after the comma with the independent
clause that follows).
Once she started the car, she pulled out of the
driveway and then, drove around the block and went
to the store.
6.F.NO CHANGE
G. then, drove around, the block
H. then drove around the block,
J. then drove around the block
6. The correct answer is J. The verbs in this sentence share one subject: she. The repeated use of the coordinate
conjunction and prevents a comma from being used. Then drove around the block and went to the store are
not independent clauses, so a comma cannot be used. Choices F, G, and H are all incorrect because they add
unnecessary commas to the sentence.
Student Page 22
39
ACT Essentials Teacher Manual – English and Reading
®
Set Three
My friend and I wanted to go to the beach, so
we gathered our change together and got on the bus.
7. A.
B.
C.
D.
NO CHANGE
the beach so we
the beach so, we
the beach; so we
7. The correct answer is A. So in this sentence separates two independent clauses, so a comma is required after beach.
Choice B is incorrect because it is missing necessary punctuation. Choice D is incorrect because a semicolon is used
when there are no connecting words between the two independent clauses. Choice C is incorrect because it places
the comma after the conjunction.
Growing up, in Florida, in the 1990s Sara
developed a deep appreciation for video games.
8.F.NO CHANGE
G. up in Florida in the 1990s
H. up, in Florida in the 1990s
J. up in Florida in the 1990s,
8. The correct answer is J. Growing up in Florida in the 1990s modifies Sara and requires a comma after it, but no
interrupting punctuation. Choices F and H are incorrect because commas are incorrectly placed within the phrase,
while choice G is incorrect because it is missing punctuation altogether and creates a run-on sentence.
In desert sands and sweltering canyons once
thought too hot, too dangerous or too secluded to
support a community, there exist small villages
9.A.
NO CHANGE
B. too hot, too dangerous, or too secluded
C. too hot, too dangerous, or too secluded,
D. too hot, too dangerous, or to secluded
determined to fight for survival.
9. The correct answer is B. Too hot, too cold, and too secluded are items in a series and should be separated by
commas. Choice A is incorrect because it is missing a comma after the second item in the list, too dangerous.
Choice C is incorrect because it adds an unnecessary comma after too secluded, while choice D is incorrect
because it changes the final too to the incorrect form to.
40
Student Page 23
Lesson 2 – Using Commas
Set Four
Next, my sister and I, braided each other’s
hair.
10.F. NO CHANGE
G. Next my sister and I,
H. Next my sister, and I
J. Next, my sister and I
10. The correct answer is J. The phrase my sister and I braided each other’s hair is a complete independent clause
and requires no punctuation to interrupt it. A comma is needed, however, to set off the introductory Next from the
remainder of the sentence. Choices F, G, and H are incorrect because they contain unnecessary commas that break
up the independent clause in this sentence.
Every winter, thousands of tourists, come
to Colorado. They enjoy the snowy mountains and
scenic views.
11.A.NO CHANGE
B. thousands, of tourists
C. thousands of tourists
D. thousands of tourists’
11. The correct answer is C. The phrase thousands of tourists come to Colorado is a complete independent clause and
requires no punctuation to interrupt it, only a comma after the introductory Every winter to set the phrase off from
the rest of the sentence. Choices A and B are incorrect because they add unnecessary commas to the independent
clause, while choice D is incorrect because it makes tourists possessive, and removes the main subject.
I can see him now, standing in the hallway,
sweat dripping from his forehead, hands worn from
the day’s work.
12. F. NO CHANGE
G. sweat dripping, from his forehead
H. sweat, dripping from his, forehead
J. sweat dripping from his forehead
12. The correct answer is F. The three phrases standing in the hallway, sweat dripping from his forehead, and hands worn
from the day’s work are all items in a series and require commas to separate them. Choices G and H are incorrect
because they add commas at the wrong points and do not accurately separate the three items in the series. Choice J
is incorrect because it does not have any commas separating the items.
Student Page 24
41
ACT Essentials Teacher Manual – English and Reading
®
Set Five
The school day was over, the children had
returned home; and everyone was sitting in the
kitchen waiting for dinner.
13.A.NO CHANGE
B. over, the children had returned home,
C. over the children had returned home,
D. over the children had returned home;
13. The correct answer is B. The three independent clauses in the sentence are given in a series and should be separated
by commas and a final conjunction before the last list item. Choices A and D are incorrect because they use semicolons
in place of commas inconsistently. Choice C is incorrect because it is missing the comma after the word over.
In the mythology, of the ancient tribes of
Ireland, selkies live as seals in the sea and become
human on land.
14.F. NO CHANGE
G. mythology of the ancient tribes, of Ireland
H. mythology, of the ancient tribes, of Ireland
J. mythology of the ancient tribes of Ireland,
14. The correct answer is J. The phrase in the mythology of the ancient tribes of Ireland is a complete phrase and should
have no commas interrupting it. Choices F, G, and H are thus all incorrect because they add unnecessary commas
breaking up this phrase.
The heart-shaped, dark-brown chocolates sat
waiting for my valentine on his desk.
15. A.
B.
C.
D.
NO CHANGE
heart-shaped, dark-brown, chocolates
heart-shaped, dark-brown chocolates,
heart-shaped dark-brown chocolates,
15.The correct answer is A. Heart-shaped and dark-brown are both adjectives describing the chocolates and should be
separated by a comma. Choice B is incorrect because it adds an unnecessary comma after the second adjective,
while choice C is incorrect because a comma separates the subject chocolates from its verb sat. Choice D is incorrect
because it removes the comma separating the adjectives and wrongly places it after chocolates, where it is not
needed.
42
Student Page 25
Lesson 2 – Using Commas
ACT Essentials – English and Reading
®
Sum It Up
Using Commas
Clause
A phrase with a subject and predicate
Independent Clause
A clause that can stand on its own as a complete sentence
Dependent Clause
A clause that is not a complete idea and so cannot stand on its own as a complete sentence
Conjunction
A word used to connect words, phrases, clauses, or sentences
Tips and Techniques
Sounds Right: Remember to eliminate any commas that create awkward-sounding pauses or otherwise
seem misplaced.
Learning Targets
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and Phrases
ACT Practice
Sum It Up
26
Student Page 26
43
Using Commas
Learning Targets
Quick Check
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and
Phrases
ACT Practice
Learning Targets

Identify several different strategies to use in comma
usage conflicts

Use commas for different purposes in several types of
sentences
Self-Assessment
Circle the number that corresponds to your confidence level in your
knowledge of this subject before beginning the lesson. A score of 1 means you
are completely lost, and a score of 4 means you have mastered the skills.
After you finish the lesson, return to the bottom of this page and circle your
new confidence level to show your improvement.
Learning Targets
Quick Check
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and
Phrases
ACT Practice
Quick Check

What’s the definition of a clause?



Learning Targets
A phrase with a subject and verb
Independent clause

A clause that can stand on its own as a complete
sentence

Example: I walked my dog. I ran after my dog.
Dependent clause
Quick Check

A clause that is not a complete idea, so it’s not a
complete sentence

Example: While I was running… Unless I ran…
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and
Phrases
ACT Practice
Quick Check

Learning Targets
Conjunction
Quick Check

A word used to connect words, phrases, clauses, or
sentences

Examples:

Coordinating Conjunctions: FANBOYS (for, and,
nor, but, or , yet, so)

Subordinating Conjunctions: Although, since,
because, while
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and
Phrases
ACT Practice
Quick Check

Learning Targets
Colons and Semicolons
Quick Check

Colons come before a list or explanation and after
an independent clause.

Semicolons are similar to periods. They join two
independent clauses without a conjunction. If you
can use a period, you can use a semicolon.
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and
Phrases
ACT Practice
FANBOYS

The five-foot gorilla lives at the zoo, but it is originally from Africa.

My music teacher from high school was at the restaurant, and I ran
over to say hello as soon as I saw him.

We started the music, and immediately the baby started to dance!
Commas are used with coordinating conjunctions to connect two
independent clauses.
Learning Targets
Quick Check
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and
Phrases
ACT Practice
FANBOYS
1. I prefer the color purple but Kevin likes red better.
2. My grandmother came to America hoping to escape the terrors of war
in her native country and I’m glad she did because it was here she met
my grandfather!
3. My friend Bella and I recently took a ballet class so one night we went
to the Bass Performance Hall to see a show by the ballerina Kristina
Haronoff.
4. The man paid me twenty dollars for the book and he said he’d pay
twice as much if it had been a first edition.
5. The very idea of spiders and even just the word spiders terrify us and
both tend to give us chills.
6. The two types of cats are short-haired and long-haired and each has
different grooming requirements.
Learning Targets
Quick Check
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and
Phrases
ACT Practice
Lists and Series
1.
Kim ordered a large coffee, pancakes, eggs, and hashbrowns
for breakfast.
2.
Brandon had homework in geometry, world history, Spanish,
and even PE!
3.
Azalea lived at home with her parents, her grandma, one
brother, one sister, and a dog.
Commas are used to separate items in a list or series.
Learning Targets
Quick Check
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and
Phrases
ACT Practice
Lists and Series
Complete the activity in your workbook.
Learning Targets
Quick Check
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and
Phrases
ACT Practice
Lists and Series
►
There is a time we put commas between only two items. It looks like
this:
►
►
We enjoyed eating Carla’s sweet, delicious cupcakes.
Compare the above sentence with this one:
►
We enjoyed eating Carla’s sweet and delicious cupcakes.
►
The selfish, arrogant dictator terrorized the people.
►
The selfish and arrogant dictator terrorized the people.
►
The water supply was rapidly, dangerously decreasing.
►
The water supply was rapidly and dangerously decreasing.
A comma can come between two adjectives when it replaces a
conjunction.
Learning Targets
Quick Check
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and
Phrases
ACT Practice
Introductory Words or Phrases
1. Even though I don’t like pickles, I ate a spoonful of relish when my
friend dared me.
2. Growling and barking, the dog warned the mailman not to come any
closer.
3. As if being grounded weren’t enough, her mom also took away her cell
phone.
Commas come after introductory words, phrases, or prepositional phrases
longer than five words.
Learning Targets
Quick Check
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and
Phrases
ACT Practice
ACT Practice
Work through some of the ACT practice sets in your
workbook to get a better sense of an actual ACT test.
Learning Targets
Quick Check
FANBOYS
Lists and Series
Introductory Words and
Phrases
ACT Practice