ACT English: Production of Writing

The clinic scale blinked a low-battery mark during the first checkup. _____, the nurse swapped in a fresh battery before calling the next patient. She tested the scale with a hand weight and wrote the reading on the chart. The second checkup then started on time.

The hardware shop sorts fasteners into bins by size. _____, the front bin holds only the thin brads used for picture frames. Longer nails sit in the bins farther down the aisle. A card on each bin names the length.

The evening bus left the market with riders already standing in the aisle. _____, two strollers were parked beside the rear door. The driver asked a rider to shift a bag so the door could still open. At the next stop, one stroller got off and the aisle loosened.

June rinses the rice until the water runs clearer and sets the bowl aside. _____, she heats oil in the empty pot. She adds onion before the rice goes back in. The grains finish under a lid.

The gardener fitted a new washer on the hose nozzle. _____, the connection at the spigot still dripped. She wrapped those threads with tape and tightened the collar again. The drip stopped once the collar sat square.

Riders on this shuttle pay as they board. _____, they put their money in the box before they take a seat. The box sits beside the driver's seat. A sign above the windshield repeats the same rule.

The morning baker dusts the wooden peel with cornmeal so the loaves slide off. _____, the afternoon baker dusts the peel before loading the rye. Both shifts keep a bowl of cornmeal under the oven bench. Neither baker loads a loaf on a bare peel.

The community-garden latch hung loose after the windstorm. _____, rabbits slipped through and chewed the outer lettuce. Volunteers wired the latch shut before dusk. The next morning that bed was untouched.

The potter set a new load in the kiln and started the firing. _____, her assistant wedged a fresh batch of clay at the back table. The kiln would run for the rest of the afternoon. The wedging kept the next load ready without opening the hot door.

Several trays in the greenhouse need cover during the bright hours. _____, the pepper trays get a cloth from ten until two. The lettuce trays stay uncovered near the door. A chart on the post lists which trays take shade.

Rain blew in through the workshop's open eaves onto the bare boards. _____, the carpenter carried those boards into the dry bay. She left the painted stools where they were, since the finish could take a splash. The bare boards would have stained if they had stayed under the drip.

The patient had asked for a warm rinse at the dental chair. _____, the first cup that arrived was cold. The assistant emptied it and filled a new one from the warm tap. The patient swished once the cup stopped steaming.

The bakery had little rye left by noon. _____, the last two loaves were already wrapped for a standing order. Walk-in customers were offered wheat instead. A note on the case said the rye would return in the morning.

The shuttle leaves the market once the last grocery cart is aboard. _____, it stops at the library corner and opens the middle door. Riders going to the clinic stay on past that corner. The driver calls the clinic stop before the turn.

The baker leaves the dough alone during the long rise. _____, she does not punch it down or lift the lid. A towel stays over the bowl the whole hour. She checks the dough only when the hour is up.

The clinic aide wipes the exam table with a fresh cloth after each patient. _____, the aide in the next room cleans that table before calling someone in. Both rooms keep the cloths in a labeled bin. Used cloths go into a hamper by the door.

A card in the windshield reads express, which on this route usually means few stops. _____, this evening run stops at every posted corner. Riders use it because the limited bus is already full. The driver repeats that stopping pattern at the first door.

The cobbler pulls each pair off the press while the glue is still soft. He sets the boots on a rack and clips the owner's tag to the laces. People who stop by before closing can see the rack, but they cannot take the boots yet.

The front step of the clinic shuttle sits high for some riders. The driver can lower that step from a switch by the wheel. Several regulars wait for the step to drop before they climb on.

The strawberry bed dries out quickly on the windy side of the garden. Volunteers water it at dusk and again at noon on hot days. Even then, the soil crusts between waterings.

The cook times the roast chicken by the clock and still cuts into a piece to look. A pale center means the pan goes back in for a few minutes. Guests wait at the table while that second cooking finishes.

The carpenter marks the shelf length with a pencil before any cut. Dust from the saw settles on the board at once. A faint line vanishes under that dust, and the cut wanders.

At this clinic, the nurse reads the name band before giving any medicine. She also asks the patient to say a name and date of birth. The two checks happen even when she has seen the patient before.

The flower shop recuts every stem before the bunch goes into a bucket. Clerks strip the low leaves so those leaves do not sit in the water. The buckets are checked again halfway through the day.

On Thursdays the bus cannot turn onto Market Street because of the stalls. The driver takes the alley behind the bank and comes out at the library. Regular riders stand a stop early so they do not miss the market.

The clerk writes each herb's name on a wooden marker. She adds a short note about sun or shade. Shoppers use the markers to pick plants that can live on a balcony.

The baker slides a pan of water into the oven when the loaves go in. Steam keeps the crust from setting too fast. She takes the pan out before the last ten minutes so the crust can dry.

The bike shop ties a tag to each brake lever after a tune. The tag lists the date and the mechanic's initials. Riders are asked to return if the lever still feels soft.

The clinic dims the waiting-room lamps after the last morning appointment. Soft music stays on, and the desk phone is turned down. Staff save loud supply carts for the afternoon.

Gardeners turn the compost every Friday and check that the center is warm. Food scraps go in, and meat is kept out. Finished compost is sifted onto the beds in spring.

The woodworker spreads glue and clamps the joint before the glue skins over. The clamps stay on for an hour. She wipes the squeeze-out with a damp cloth so it does not harden on the board.

The cook skims the gray foam off the stock every few minutes. Clear stock takes flavor from the vegetables more evenly. She keeps the pot at a low bubble so the foam stays easy to lift.

The hatter steams each brim and shapes it on a wooden block. The steam softens the felt so the curve holds. A cool cloth sets the shape before the hat goes to the shelf.

Riders pull the cord once to request the next stop. The chime sounds by the driver, and a small light stays on until the door opens. The city band concert was canceled on account of rain. A second pull does not make the bus stop sooner.

The cook softens the onions in oil before any other ingredient goes in. She salts them only after they turn clear. The salt draws out a little water and keeps them from browning too fast. Garlic follows, then the chopped greens.

A chart on the greenhouse post lists which trays need cloth. Peppers are covered from ten until two, and lettuce stays open near the door. The post was painted blue by a volunteer last spring. Staff move the cloth when the chart says to.

Riders drop coins into the fare box as they board. A bent coin can jam the slot and hold the line. The driver frees the jam with a wooden pick kept in the cup holder. Most coins fall through without any trouble.

Heavy rain split the ripe tomatoes on the vine. The gardener carried the soft fruit to the kitchen in a crate. A soccer match was playing on a radio in the next room. She trimmed the broken skins and simmered them into sauce.

The baker mixes the dough and sets the bowl on the warm shelf. She covers it with a damp towel for the hour-long rise. The towel keeps the surface from drying and cracking. She shapes the loaves only after that hour.

The camera shop wipes each returned lens with a clean cloth before it goes back on the shelf. Fingerprints on the glass show up in the next renter's photos. The owner collects old postcards in a drawer under the counter. Staff switch the cloth when it looks gray.

The garden latch hung open after the storm, and rabbits got into the lettuce. Volunteers wired the latch shut before dusk. The wire held the bar when the wind picked up again. In the morning the lettuce was untouched.

The ramp chain stays up while the ferry deck is still moving. Passengers wait behind a painted line. A crew member watches the gap between the boat and the dock.

The spice shop grinds chili into small tins. Each tin gets a number for its heat before it leaves the mill. Customers ask for mild or hot by those numbers.

The nurse wraps the cuff and asks the patient to rest both feet on the floor. She takes one reading, waits a minute, and takes another. The two numbers are written side by side on the chart.

The front of the bus has a fold-down rack. Riders load a bicycle there before they pay. Inside, the aisle stays clear for people who must stand.

The baker sets a cold crust in a metal tin, lines it with paper, and pours ceramic beads onto it. The crust bakes that way before any filling goes in. She saves the beads in a jar marked for crusts only.

The clinic aide shows a patient how the tiny battery sits in the hearing aid. She points to a small switch on the battery door. A card in the case repeats those same steps.

Gardeners borrow forks from a board in the shed. Each fork has a hook, and the borrower moves a tag from the hook to a pocket on the board. At dusk those pockets should be empty again.

After the polish dries to a haze, the shoemaker picks up a soft cloth. He works it across the toe in small circles. The leather starts to shine.

The soup kitchen heats a large pot of bean soup. A cook stirs the bottom so nothing sticks. She clips a thermometer to the side of the pot.

The greenhouse fan runs on still afternoons. Leaves on the tomato starts were staying wet into the evening. The grower aims the fan down the center aisle.

The yarn-shop owner clamps a wooden swift to the counter. She stretches a twisted skein onto its arms. A customer winds the yarn into a ball from there.

The aide pulls a curtain around the exam table before the doctor comes in. The patient stays seated, with shoes set to one side. Voices from the next space stay beyond the cloth.

The butcher sets a chop on a sheet of paper and folds the sides in tightly. He tapes the packet and writes the name of the cut on the front. The scale ticket goes under the tape.

Riders who must change buses get a paper slip from the first driver. The slip shows the time it was torn from the pad. They hand it to the driver of the second bus.

The potter steadies the spinning cup with one hand. With the other she holds a damp sponge against the rim. Clay slip gathers on the sponge as the wheel turns.

Basil in the window box wilts when the soil pulls away from the sides. The grower sets the box in a tray of water for twenty minutes. She lifts it out once the top of the soil darkens.

A customer sets a loose pair of glasses on the optician's tray. One arm swings more freely than the other. The optician picks up a screwdriver about the size of a match.

The baker stirs her starter and looks at the line on the jar. It has risen past the line and smells mildly sour. She pours part of it into a clean bowl.

The nurse turned the bottle so the label faced the patient. She waited while he read each line. She pointed to the morning dose and the evening dose.

The baker taps the bottom of the loaf and listens for a hollow sound. A hollow sound means the loaf can leave the oven. She sets those loaves on a wire rack.

The driver speaks into the microphone as the bus nears the low bridge. Riders with tall carts are still standing in the aisle. The opening ahead is lower than those carts.

The glass artist scores the sheet and taps a clean break along the line. She checks the new edge with a fingertip. The kiln shelf is ready for the piece.

New gardeners often pick tomatoes while the fruit is still pale. The bed captain walks the row with them on Saturday morning. She stops beside a plant that is heavy with fruit.

Three cooks share the diner grill during the breakfast rush. They call out when a pan is hot and when a plate is up. The grill stays full from six until ten.

The watchmaker shows the customer a worn gear inside the watch. He says a replacement will keep it running for daily use. The case itself is still sound.

The vet wraps the anxious dog in a towel and lets him sniff the table. She keeps her voice low and her hands slow. The exam has not started yet.

A customer holds up a screw that is too short for the hinge. The clerk finds a longer match in the next bin. She holds the two screws side by side.

The ferry is late because a barge is moving through the channel. People on the dock compare the time with the posted sailing. A crew member writes a note on the board.

The intern overwatered the seedling trays, and some leaves yellowed. The grower lifts a tray and shows the soggy mix. She waits until the intern looks at the roots.

The last pots are washed and turned upside down to dry. The cook leaves a list on the counter for the morning crew. The dining room is already dark.

The clerk checks each and every single jar on the top shelf for a cracked lid. She sets the damaged ones in a bin for return. The undamaged jars stay on the shelf with the labels facing out.

The nurse reads the dose on the bottle in order to make sure and verify that it matches the chart. She asks the patient to repeat the dose back to her. Then she writes the time on the chart.

A card above the driver's seat lists the past history of earlier stops this bus used to make. Riders use it when a corner looks unfamiliar. The current stops are printed on a separate card by the door.

The tailor completely finished the entire hem before the customer came back. She snipped the loose threads and hung the coat on the rack. The customer had asked only for that hem, not for new buttons.

The fern pots sit in close proximity to the sunny window. The clerk turns them once a day so the fronds do not lean. Shoppers are told to give the same plants a bright spot at home.

Advance planning ahead of time lets the clinic open the extra room before the afternoon patients arrive. The nurse posts the room assignments on the desk. Staff pull the charts for those rooms at noon.

The gardener joined together the two hose ends with a metal coupler. She turned the spigot on and checked for a drip. The beds at the far end finally got water.

If the color on the sample strand looks too dark, the colorist can revert back to the lighter mix. She keeps that lighter mix in a marked bowl. The client waits in the chair with a towel on her shoulders.

The end result of the long simmer is a thick pepper jam the stall sells on toast. The cook starts that simmer after the morning prep. A note on the board tells the server when the pot is ready.

New volunteers learn the basic fundamentals of casting on a row of stitches. They are shown how to keep the yarn loose enough to slide. A finished swatch is pinned to the board as a model.

The shop first began offering heel repairs in the spring. Regular customers had been asking for that service. A small grinder now sits on the back bench for the work.

The frame shop asks customers to allow a period of two weeks for a custom mat. The clerk writes the due date on the ticket. Glass is cut only after that mat arrives.

(1) She slides the tray into the hot oven. (2) She cuts the soft dough into squares on the board. (3) She stirs flour, butter, and milk into a dough. (4) She sets a twelve-minute timer once the tray is in the oven.

(1) She squeezes the lever to test the feel of the brake. (2) She threads the cable through that open bolt. (3) She loosens the pinch bolt on the caliper. (4) She tightens the bolt once the pads meet the rim evenly.

(1) She ladles that hot jam into clean jars. (2) She lowers the sealed jars into the boiling water bath. (3) She cooks the jam until it sheets off a spoon. (4) She wipes the rims and sets the lids on those filled jars.

(1) She ties the ribbon around the taped package. (2) She sets the book in the center of that sheet. (3) She folds that sheet over the book and tapes the seam. (4) She measures a sheet large enough for the book.

(1) She sets the sown and labeled trays in the bright room. (2) She fills each cell with damp mix. (3) She sows two seeds in each filled cell. (4) She labels each tray with the variety she just sowed, before the tray leaves the bench.

(1) She pulls away from the curb once the sign is set. (2) She checks the mirrors and the brake lights only after the outside walk-around. (3) She walks around the bus and looks for leaks. (4) She sets the destination sign only after those lights check out.

(1) She tapes the gauze over the dry skin. (2) She washes her hands and opens a clean pad. (3) She dries the skin around the rinsed scrape. (4) She rinses the scrape with water only after washing her hands.

(1) She presses in the points that hold the backing of the flipped frame. (2) She cleans the glass. (3) She sets the print and the mat on that clean glass. (4) She fits the frame over the stack and flips it over.

(1) The jacket is ready to hand back because the slider no longer catches. (2) The tailor opens the stuck zipper and finds a bent tooth. (3) She eases the slider past that tooth and sews a new stop at the bottom. (4) She runs the slider up and down to be sure it does not catch.

(1) That buzzer is why people stand up and open a dryer before the shirts wrinkle. (2) They fold on the side table so the next person can use the machine. (3) A sign asks them not to leave a finished load inside. (4) A buzzer on each dryer sounds when the cycle ends.

(1) The cook packs the sauce into a cold box at the commissary. (2) She drives to the lunch spot by the library once the burner is lit. (3) She writes the day's menu on the outside board while still at the commissary. (4) She lights the burner only after that menu is written.

(1) The nurse checks the vaccine fridge and writes the temperature on the log. (2) She waters the plant on the sill only after the fridge log is finished. (3) A reading outside the marked range means those vaccines move to the backup fridge. (4) She initials the log before the first patient is called.

(1) At dawn she lights the ovens and mixes the first dough. (2) At noon she moves fresh loaves to the front case. (3) By closing, the cases are empty and the floors are swept. (4) In the midmorning she bakes the loaves that were mixed at dawn.

(1) The woodworker cuts the board to length. (2) Those holes are why she marks the bracket heights before sanding. (3) She drills the shelf-pin holes on both sides. (4) She sands the edges and wipes off the dust.

(1) The name on the vial must match the name on the order. (2) The aide checks both names aloud. (3) She caps the vial and walks it to the pickup shelf. (4) She writes the patient's name on the vial before it is capped.

(1) Even so, the desk takes patients who show up without a booking. (2) The nurse leaves a few open slots at the end of each hour. (3) A notice on the door says appointments only. (4) At this clinic, that notice usually means a patient must call first.

(1) The hardware shop shelves paint by how light the color is. (2) The darkest cans, by contrast, go on the high shelf. (3) A dot on each label shows the color once it has dried. (4) The front row, for example, holds only the pale cans.

(1) She coils the hose and hangs it on the reel. (2) She walks the row and notes which beds are dry. (3) She opens the spigot and waters those dry beds. (4) She shuts the spigot and lets the hose drain.

(1) The patient signs the form at the bottom. (2) The clerk explains each line about the visit. (3) The patient asks about the fee listed halfway down. (4) The clerk answers, and the patient reads that line again.

(1) The repaired lamp lights when she tests the switch. (2) She threads the new cord through the base. (3) She connects the cord to the socket. (4) She screws in a bulb.

(1) She mixes the dough with her hands. (2) She covers the bowl and lets it rest. (3) She washes her hands and ties her hair back. (4) She scrapes the dough onto a floured board after the rest.

(1) The clerk sets a step stool in front of the drinking fountain. (2) The shorter children drink first while the line waits. (3) That stool is there because the basin is high, and it is set down before anyone steps up. (4) Adults skip the stool and drink over it.

(1) The clerk points to the clock because of that sign. (2) Customers groan and set the shoes back on the rack. (3) After four, the shoes return to the regular price. (4) A sign says the half-price hour ends at four.

(1) Today, by contrast, the shuttle uses the river road. (2) The river road adds ten minutes but skips the flooded underpass. (3) Riders who want the hospital stay on past the market. (4) Yesterday the shuttle used the market street.