ACT English Practice Test 57

New Beginnings

[1]

As a junior in high school, I am very concerned about college. I'm trying to do everything right: _when I keep _Q16 my grades up, participate in a few extracurricular activities, prepare for standardized tests, even perform community service. I spend most days thinking about the _future hoping _Q17 that I'm on the right path, I do my best at everything I can.

[2]

[1] I'm interested in a career in _nursing_, Q18 I decided to try to secure a spot as a volunteer at the local hospital. [2] I accepted his offer immediately, thinking to myself that here _lies _Q19 all the opportunities I could ever want! [3] It would be the best of both worlds: helping people while gaining valuable on-the-job experience! [4] So I put on a nice _pair of slacks, a blouse_, Q20 and some comfortable shoes-don't all nurses wear comfortable shoes?-and went to visit the business office. [5] Fortunately, the hospital director was quite willing to let me help out, and he said I could start that summer as soon as I finished my finals. Q21

[3]

The director gave me a brief tour of various departments as he told me about the primary focus of each, an _expert himself in every facet of hospital administration_, Q22 until we stopped right in front of the maternity ward. "This is where you're going to work," he said, ushering me through the brown double doors. Walking into the ward, _my ears were immediately overwhelmed. Women _Q23 yelled and newborns wailed. Nurses rushed around to adjust medical instruments that screamed for attention. I felt _suspicious _Q24 in the center of so much action and wondered if I had been too hasty in seeking out such a difficult service project.

[4]

Apparently my fear must have shown clearly on my _face as _Q25 I looked around because the director said, "Don't worry. You'll get used to the pace up here. You are going to help in the nursery." With that, we walked _down the busy hallway past the numerous delivery rooms _Q26 and into the most peaceful room I've ever seen. The pastel colors provided a quiet backdrop to the humming of machines and soft coos of sleeping infants. A whispering _nurse, the one in charge of the nursery_, Q27 welcomed me, thanked me for volunteering, and asked me to start folding some baby blankets and _placing it _Q28 in the appropriate drawer. The director gave me a questioning look, which I returned with a quiet nod. Q29 I got right to work. Q30