English ACT Aspire Practice Test

What is the most appropriate preposition to fill in the blank: "Entranced by the whirling motion of the wheel, I watched with awe as the clay was transformed ___ an earthenware vase by Cora's artistry?"

1. NO CHANGE

2. into

3. like

4. to

The correct answer is: into

The most suitable preposition for this sentence is "into," as it conveys the sense of transformation from one state to another. When we use "transformed into," it suggests a complete change in form or substance, which is fitting in the context of clay becoming an earthenware vase. This prepositional choice emphasizes the idea of a transition, indicating that the clay is not just altered but is fundamentally changed into a new object through the artist's skill. The other prepositions do not convey this specific meaning of transformation as effectively. "NO CHANGE" would leave the sentence without a clear preposition, while "like" suggests similarity rather than transformation, and "to" does not adequately express the complete change of the clay into a vase. Thus, "into" is the most precise option for illustrating the process described in the sentence.