Official Dec 2012 ENGLISH thread

Test Preparation ACT Preparation
81

<p>You’re going off of what you’ve learned in high level english classes for what you’re writing. </p>

<p>Sure, in my AP Lang class we were told never to use the passive voice, never use the progressive tense, never start a sentence with an expletive, etc. But the ACT/SAT? they both have those. A lot of them, actually. High level english (the kind that wouldn’t “have idioms”) is not present on these tests; believe me, i got so used to writing in the active voice it’s drilled into my mind and i’ll never forget it. And it was ALL OVER the ACT. So if you’re telling me that the ACT is going to test over whether or not an idiom is appropriate? I’m sorry but that’s just wrong. </p>

<p>The ACT is a lower level thinking test, especially on the english section. so, yes, i would pick “beat around the bush” if it seemed appropriate. “sparsely” was an awkwardly placed adverb and i’ve never seen it used in conventional english.</p>

82

<p>Did you guys put one of them as ‘tried to focus on’</p>

83

<p>and you’re basing your entire hopelessly contrived argument off of “never use idioms in formal writing!” argument, which, i’ll give to you, is true, but the ACT does not expect the average high school junior to know never to use idioms in formal writing; however, that doesnt even matter as the passage was informal as stated before</p>

84

<p>What were the answer choices for “tried to focus on”?</p>

<p>Can’t recall the question…</p>

85

<p>And you argument is that sparsely doesn’t “feel” right. At least I have a more english/technical reason, while you just have a baseless “it doesn’t seem right.”</p>

<p>I have shown it is the right definition. I have shown that from a technical basis, sparsely can go at the beginning of a sentence. Therefore, it fits all of the standards. Whether you have read or used sparsely in the beginning of the sentence is on you.</p>

<p>I hope if you guys ever see “raining cats and dogs” on a test, you will think that is right. You will make an easy curve.</p>

86

<p>It isn’t a matter of it being informal. It is a matter of having the words and using them incorrectly.</p>

87

<p>You guys will convince me if one of two things are right:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Sparsely can’t go at the beginning of a sentence.</p></li>
<li><p>Sparsely can’t express rare occurrences</p></li>
</ol>

<p>If 1,2 are correct, than there is NO reason that sparsely wouldn’t work in the sentence. Stop this madness.</p>

88

<p>I can’t wait to get my test back and have the 36 on English haha.</p>

<p>my argument is better than yours, because i would like to see some examples of “sparsely” being placed at the beginning of a sentence.</p>

<p>Copy and paste, bud. Not that difficult. </p>

<p>and you didnt even address my previous argument. oh well. guess what guys?! according to walrus, we’re going to be tested on passive/active voice, the progressive tense, expletives, and the reasons theyre forbidden on the next ACT!!</p>

89

<p>So you are saying you could see “raining cats and dogs” or “down in the dumbs” as answers on the ACT?</p>

90

<p>Chaps…what score do you think a -5 would be for the English today?</p>

91

<p>don’t bother with walrus… he’s being stubborn</p>

<p>and the one with tried to focus on was with the Harlem Renaissance towards the end… tried to focus on the goal of hiring a lot of young ppl don’t remember.</p>

92

<p>You guys CANT give any answer except it doesn’t sound right. The definition is right and the technicality is right. “Now and then” is in a class of phrases that are completely ridiculous and are frowned upon at ALL levels of writing.</p>

<p>How is that stubborn?</p>

93

<p>Probably a 32 btw.</p>

94

<p>occasionally and sparsely are BOTH adverbs and BOTH mean an occurrence in time.</p>

<p>MAYBE THEY WERE BOTH WRONG!!! Oh wait…</p>

95

<p>dude god damn … we told you that sparsely is awkward wording and that it means ‘rare’ occurrences. (that contradicts occasionally) We never said it can’t be used…’</p>

<p>can we talk about some other questions plz?</p>

96

<p>how can you even put “now and then” in the same class of sayings as “raining cats and dogs”? that’s ridiculous lol</p>

97

<p>They are all idioms.</p>

98

<p>Well possessing an ounce of marijuana and murdering someone in the first degree are both federal offenses, are they in the same class?</p>

99

<p>[Idioms:</a> Complete List](<a href=“Idioms - ESL”>Idioms - ESL)</p>

100

<p>you’ve posted that already. answer my question. i can just as easily post a list of federal crimes with marijuana possession and first degree murder both on it. your “list” doesn’t mean anything.</p>