Errors in a McGraw Hill ACT Practice Test

<h2>I consistently score 36s on the Writing sections of real released ACT tests, so when I scored a 34 on Practice Test 5 of McGraw Hill's ACT Prep Book, I was a bit concerned. I reviewed what I got wrong and I disagree with all three of them. I know it sounds like I just don't want to admit defeat, so I want a second opinion. Let me know what you think...</h2>

<p>Each of us has pulled a lawn chair onto the expansive wooden deck and HAVE SETTLED IN for the show. </p>

<p>A) NO CHANGE
B) settled in
C) has settled in</p>

<h2>D) have been settled in</h2>

<p>[1] In 1981, the Macquarie Dictionary of Australian English was published by Macquarie Library Pty, Ltd. [2] Subsequent editions have included encyclopedic entries with more extensive word and phrase origins. [3] Over time, Australian schools and legal systems have adopted the ever-evolving Macquarie Dictionary, although it is difficult to keep up with the country's ever-changing adaptions caused by outside influences. [4] As some Australians would say, the Macquarie Dictionary has Buckley's of keeping up with modern times.</p>

<p>Which of the following sequences of sentences makes this paragraph most logical?
F) NO CHANGE
G) 1, 3, 2, 4.
H) 1, 2, 4, 3.</p>

<h2>J) 1, 4, 2, 3.</h2>

<p>Suddenly, loud clucking penetrates the silence. These are the sounds of wild turkey hens coming in to roost, SOUNDING OFF ON safety issues and weather predictions.</p>

<p>At this point, the writer wants to liken the turkeys to people. Which choice would most effectively accomplish this goal?
A) NO CHANGE
B) clucking and chirping over
C) fluffing their feathers over</p>

<h2>D) making noise about</h2>

<p>Okay, so I chose B, F, and D, respectively, for the three questions. Supposedly, the correct answers are C, G, and A. If you can explain to me why I'm wrong, please do. And if you agree with me on any or all of them, please let me know as well. Thanks in advance.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I don’t find choice B objectionable, but in choice C “has settled in” makes the form of the verb parallel to “each of us has pulled.” With the direct object and a wordy prepositional phrase intervening between the parts of the compound verb, repeating the auxiliary verb helps signal the reader as to the structure of the sentence. I agree with McGraw-Hill.</p></li>
<li><p>Sentence 3 introcuces the fact that Australian English has been evolving rapidly since the publication of the first dictionary. That rapid change explains why subsequent editions, and their updates, have been desirable.</p></li>
<li><p>As a figure of speech, “sounding off on” means “giving their opinions about.” Which is kind of the conceit of this passage–that the fowl are making their feelings about those topics known to each other. It is true that the hens are literally making noise, but if we read the phrase “making noise about” literally, we lose something that the writer wishes to convey. If we read the phrase “making noise about” figuratively, it means something more like “complaining about,” which the original phrase doesn’t necessarily suggest, and which the rest of the passage doesn’t necessarily suggest, either. Again, I agree with McGraw-Hill.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>How about submitting to the company and see if they reply? It would be unfortunate if they are incorrect misleading students when practicing their tails off. You should post about the experience, if you do. If they don’t reply, it will be a good test of “customer service” and the power of CC. </p>

<p>I did see one note saying the MH practice tests were bad. I’ll try and remember this post if I see more errata. </p>

<p>As a side note, my AP Chem review book from McGraw Hill had quite a few typos. I didn’t go through the entire book thoroughly, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there was/were (an) error(s) in an example/practice test.</p>

<p>I took McGraw Hill tests for my ACT preparation. I found a lot of errors in McGraw Hill. I am certain about 1-2 errors in math and I still remember one of them. One was something about a Trapezoid. Also, I remember there being a few errors on the Science Section on Test 7 i think. However, I think the McGraw Hill ACT book helped me a lot because I spent my time analyzing what I got wrong and learned from my mistakes. Then again, I suppose any book would help you if you spent enough time working with it. </p>

<p>It is well known that the McGraw Hill test prep books are full of error in the Math sections. I bet the author himself did not do well in Math either. I have been telling people to avoid the McGraw Hill test prep books.</p>