ACT Practice Test Questions

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An Introduction to the ACT and Foundational Strategies

The ACT is a standardized test used for college admissions in the United States. It is designed to measure a high school student's readiness for college-level work. The exam covers four main academic skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science. There is also an optional writing section, which some universities may require or recommend. Your performance on the ACT is one of the key factors that colleges consider when reviewing your application, alongside your GPA, extracurricular activities, and application essays. A strong score can significantly enhance your chances of admission to your desired institutions.

The test is structured to assess the knowledge and skills you have acquired throughout your high school education. Unlike some exams that test aptitude, the ACT is curriculum-based. This means that the material covered directly relates to what you have been learning in your classes. Understanding this structure is the first step toward effective preparation. Knowing that the test evaluates specific skills allows you to focus your study efforts on areas where you need the most improvement. A high score can also open doors to scholarships and other financial aid opportunities, making higher education more accessible.

Your composite ACT score is an average of your scores from the four main sections. Each section is scored on a scale of 1 to 36. The composite score is the whole number average of these four scores. For example, if you scored a 28 in English, 30 in Math, 27 in Reading, and 29 in Science, your composite score would be the average of these numbers, which is 28.5, rounded up to a 29. This single number provides colleges with a snapshot of your overall academic preparedness and is a crucial component of your application profile.

Colleges use ACT scores to standardize the evaluation process. Since high schools across the country have different grading systems, course rigor, and resources, a standardized test score provides a common data point for comparing applicants. It helps admission officers gauge your potential for success in their academic environment. While it is just one piece of the puzzle, it is an important one. Therefore, dedicating time to prepare for the ACT is a worthwhile investment in your future educational journey. A score that reflects your true potential can make a significant difference in your college options.

A Deep Dive into the Four Sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science

The ACT English section is the first part of the exam. It consists of 75 multiple-choice questions that you must answer in 45 minutes. This section is designed to measure your understanding of standard written English, including grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical skills. The questions are presented within the context of several passages. You will be asked to identify and correct errors, improve the clarity of sentences, and enhance the overall quality of the writing. Success in this section requires a strong command of English language conventions and the ability to think like an editor.

Next is the ACT Math section, which gives you 60 minutes to answer 60 multiple-choice questions. This section covers a broad range of mathematical concepts, from pre-algebra and elementary algebra to plane geometry and trigonometry. The questions are designed to test your ability to solve practical math problems. Unlike the English section, the math questions are not based on passages but are standalone problems. A permitted calculator can be used, but a deep understanding of mathematical principles is essential, as many problems can be solved more quickly without one. The questions generally increase in difficulty as you progress through the section.

The third section is ACT Reading. This part of the test consists of 40 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 35 minutes. You will be presented with four passages, each followed by a set of questions. The passages are drawn from four different subject areas: prose fiction, social science, humanities, and natural science. This section does not test your prior knowledge of these subjects. Instead, it assesses your ability to read and understand complex texts, identify main ideas, locate specific details, make inferences, and analyze the author's purpose and tone. Strong reading comprehension skills are paramount.

Finally, the ACT Science section challenges you to answer 40 multiple-choice questions in 35 minutes. This section can be intimidating, but it is not a test of your scientific knowledge. Rather, it evaluates your ability to interpret, analyze, and evaluate scientific information presented in graphs, charts, tables, and research summaries. The passages will cover topics from biology, chemistry, physics, and Earth/space sciences. The key to this section is your ability to read and understand data, recognize patterns and trends, and comprehend scientific reasoning and experimental design.

The Optional ACT Writing Test: To Take or Not to Take?

The ACT offers an optional Writing test, which consists of one essay prompt. If you choose to take it, you will have 40 minutes to complete the essay. The prompt provides a brief passage describing a contemporary issue and presents three different perspectives on that issue. Your task is to develop your own perspective, analyze the relationship between your perspective and the ones provided, and support your ideas with logical reasoning and clear examples. The essay is scored by two readers on a scale of 1 to 6 across four domains: Ideas and Analysis, Development and Support, Organization, and Language Use.

The decision to take the Writing test depends largely on the requirements of the colleges you are applying to. Some universities require the ACT with Writing, while others may recommend it. Many schools have made the writing portion optional in recent years. It is crucial to check the admissions websites of each college on your list to determine their specific policies. If even one of your top-choice schools requires it, you must take it. If it is recommended but not required, taking it can sometimes demonstrate your commitment and showcase your writing abilities to the admissions committee.

There are strategic advantages to taking the Writing test. A strong essay score can complement your overall application, especially if you plan to major in a field that requires extensive writing, such as humanities or communications. It provides a direct measure of your ability to formulate a coherent argument and express your thoughts clearly under timed conditions. This can be a valuable data point for admissions officers, giving them more insight into your skills beyond your multiple-choice scores. It offers an opportunity to demonstrate a skill that is critical for success in college.

Conversely, there are reasons why you might choose not to take it. The Writing test adds extra time and cost to the exam. If none of the colleges you are applying to require or recommend it, you may decide to focus your preparation efforts solely on the four main sections. Additionally, if you feel that your writing skills are not your strongest asset, you might prefer not to have an essay score as part of your application profile. Carefully weigh the pros and cons based on your college list and your personal strengths and weaknesses before making your final decision.

Setting Your ACT Goal Score

Establishing a target ACT score is a critical first step in your preparation journey. Your goal score should not be an arbitrary number but rather a well-researched target based on the colleges you plan to apply to. Begin by creating a list of your reach, match, and safety schools. For each institution, research the average ACT scores of their most recently admitted class. This information is usually available on the college's admissions website or through online college data platforms. Look for the middle 50 percent range, which shows the scores of the 25th to 75th percentile of admitted students.

Aiming for a score at or above the 75th percentile for your target schools will make your application more competitive. For your safety schools, you should be comfortably above their 75th percentile, while for your match schools, a score within their middle 50 percent range is a solid goal. For your reach schools, strive to get as close as possible to their 75th percentile or higher. This data-driven approach ensures that your goal is both ambitious and realistic. It transforms your study plan from a vague aspiration into a concrete objective.

Beyond college admissions, understanding percentiles can help you contextualize your score. The ACT provides a national percentile ranking for your composite score and each section score. This tells you what percentage of test-takers you scored higher than. For example, a score in the 90th percentile means you performed better than 90 percent of students who took the test. While colleges focus on the raw score, knowing your percentile can provide motivation and help you understand your performance in a national context. It can also be useful when applying for certain scholarships that have percentile-based criteria.

Once you have researched the score ranges for your desired colleges, you can set a single goal score. A good strategy is to choose a target that aligns with the 75th percentile of your most ambitious but realistic school. This gives you a clear number to work towards. Write this number down and keep it visible in your study area. This simple act can serve as a powerful motivator, reminding you of what you are working for. Having a specific, measurable goal is essential for maintaining focus and direction throughout your months of preparation.

Crafting Your Personalized Study Plan

A personalized study plan is the roadmap to achieving your ACT goal score. The first step in creating this plan is to take a full-length, official ACT practice test under timed conditions. This diagnostic test will serve as your baseline, revealing your starting score and highlighting your strengths and weaknesses across all four sections. Once you have your baseline score, you can calculate the score improvement needed to reach your target. Analyze your mistakes carefully. Were they careless errors, timing issues, or genuine content knowledge gaps? This analysis is crucial for tailoring your study plan effectively.

After identifying your areas for improvement, you need to allocate your study time strategically. It is often more efficient to focus on turning your weaknesses into strengths rather than just polishing your strong areas. For example, if you excelled in English but struggled with the Math section, a larger portion of your study schedule should be dedicated to math concepts and practice problems. Create a weekly schedule that dedicates specific blocks of time to ACT prep. Consistency is key, so aim for regular, focused study sessions rather than sporadic, lengthy cramming sessions.

Your study plan should incorporate a variety of resources. While official practice tests are the most valuable tool, you should also use content review guides, online drills, and strategy articles. For content gaps, such as specific math topics or grammar rules, use targeted resources to learn and practice those skills. For timing and strategy issues, focus on timed practice sections and drills. A well-rounded plan includes both content review and test-taking strategy practice. Remember to be flexible and adjust your plan as you progress and your needs change.

Finally, schedule regular check-ins to monitor your progress. Plan to take a full-length practice test every few weeks. This will help you track your score improvement, build your test-taking stamina, and identify any new areas that need attention. Each practice test is an opportunity to refine your strategies and adjust your study plan. By systematically diagnosing your weaknesses, allocating your time wisely, using a mix of quality resources, and tracking your progress, you can create a personalized study plan that will guide you effectively toward your ACT goal score.

The Power of Official Practice Tests

When preparing for the ACT, not all practice materials are created equal. The single most important resource you can use is an official practice test. These are exams that have been previously administered or have been released by the creators of the ACT. They are the gold standard for practice because they use real questions, follow the exact format, and have the same difficulty level as the test you will take on exam day. Using unofficial tests from other companies can be misleading, as their questions may not accurately reflect the style and content of the real ACT.

Official practice tests are invaluable for several reasons. First, they provide the most accurate measure of your current performance and the most realistic prediction of your potential score. Taking a full-length official test under timed conditions simulates the actual test-day experience, helping you to build stamina and manage your time effectively across all four sections. This is crucial for developing the pacing and endurance needed to maintain focus for the nearly three-hour duration of the exam. The experience gained from these simulations can significantly reduce test-day anxiety and improve your performance.

Moreover, analyzing your performance on official practice tests is the best way to identify your specific strengths and weaknesses. After each test, conduct a thorough review of every question, especially the ones you answered incorrectly or guessed on. Try to understand the underlying reason for each mistake. Was it a misunderstanding of the content, a misreading of the question, a calculation error, or a timing issue? This detailed analysis allows you to pinpoint the exact skills and concepts you need to focus on in your subsequent study sessions, making your preparation far more efficient and targeted.

You can find official ACT practice tests for free online. The company that creates the test provides several full-length exams that you can download and print. It is best to take these tests on paper, just as you will on test day, to get used to bubbling in answers and working with a physical test booklet. By prioritizing official practice tests as the cornerstone of your study plan, you ensure that you are preparing with the most authentic materials available. This approach will give you a clear and accurate picture of your progress and best prepare you for the challenges of the actual exam.

Essential Study Habits for ACT Success

Achieving your target ACT score requires more than just intelligence; it demands the development of effective study habits. Consistency is arguably the most important habit to cultivate. It is far more effective to study for one hour every day than to cram for seven hours once a week. Regular, shorter study sessions help to reinforce concepts and build skills gradually, which is more conducive to long-term retention than marathon study sessions. Create a realistic study schedule that you can stick to, integrating ACT prep into your daily routine. This consistency builds momentum and keeps the material fresh in your mind.

Another crucial habit is active learning. Passive learning, such as simply reading a chapter or watching a video, is not enough. Active learning involves engaging directly with the material. This means working through practice problems, explaining concepts in your own words, creating flashcards for grammar rules or math formulas, and teaching a difficult concept to a friend or family member. When you actively engage with the content, you force your brain to process it more deeply, leading to better understanding and recall. Always have a pencil in hand and be an active participant in your own learning process.

Your study environment also plays a significant role in your success. Find a quiet, well-lit space where you can focus without distractions. Put your phone on silent and keep it out of sight to avoid the temptation of social media and notifications. Let your family or roommates know your study schedule so they can respect your need for uninterrupted time. A dedicated and organized study space can help you get into the right mindset for productive work. Treating your study sessions with the same seriousness as a class or a job can dramatically improve your concentration and efficiency.

Finally, embrace the habit of self-reflection and analysis. After every study session or practice test, take a few minutes to reflect on what you have learned and where you still need to improve. Keep an error log where you record your mistakes, the reason for the mistake, and the correct concept or strategy. This practice of metacognition, or thinking about your own thinking, is incredibly powerful. It allows you to learn from your mistakes, recognize patterns in your errors, and make targeted adjustments to your study plan. These essential habits will provide the structure and discipline needed for success.

Time Management 101: Pacing Yourself for Peak Performance

Excellent time management is a skill that is just as important as content knowledge on the ACT. The test is designed to be a race against the clock, and your ability to pace yourself effectively can have a major impact on your score. The fundamental principle of good pacing is to allocate your time wisely so that you have a chance to attempt every question. This means you should not get bogged down on any single difficult question. A good rule of thumb is to spend roughly the same amount of time on each question within a section.

Each section of the ACT has a different time constraint and number of questions, requiring a unique pacing strategy. For the English section, you have 45 minutes for 75 questions, which averages to about 36 seconds per question. In Math, you have 60 minutes for 60 questions, an average of one minute per question. Both the Reading and Science sections give you 35 minutes for 40 questions, which works out to about 52 seconds per question. Knowing these averages is a good starting point, but you must also be flexible.

A key strategy is the two-pass approach. On your first pass through a section, answer all the questions you know how to do relatively quickly. If you encounter a question that is particularly difficult or time-consuming, mark it and move on. After you have answered all the easier questions, you can use your remaining time to go back and tackle the ones you marked. This ensures that you pick up all the points you can from the questions you are confident about, rather than wasting precious minutes on a single problem and potentially not reaching later, easier questions.

Developing your pacing skills requires practice. The best way to do this is by taking full-length, timed practice tests. This will help you get a feel for the rhythm of each section and identify where you tend to spend too much time. During practice, experiment with different strategies. For example, in the Reading section, you might try reading the questions before the passage. In the Science section, you might go straight to the questions and refer back to the charts and graphs as needed. Finding the pacing strategies that work best for you is a critical part of preparing for test day.

Cracking the Code of ACT English

The ACT English section is a comprehensive test of your editing and revision skills. It presents you with five passages, and for various underlined portions, you must decide the best choice among four options. The first option, "NO CHANGE," is always a possibility. The 75 questions are divided into two main categories: Usage and Mechanics, and Rhetorical Skills. Usage and Mechanics questions focus on the technical aspects of writing, such as grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. These questions test your knowledge of the fundamental rules that govern standard written English.

Rhetorical Skills questions, on the other hand, assess your ability to understand the passage as a whole. These questions ask you to think about the author's purpose, strategy, and style. You may be asked to determine the most logical placement for a sentence, decide if a particular phrase is relevant to the paragraph's main idea, or choose the most effective transition between two sentences. These questions require you to consider the context of the entire passage, not just the individual sentence. A successful approach to the English section involves mastering both of these question categories.

The format of the English section is consistent. You will always have 45 minutes to complete the 75 questions. This tight timing requires a strategy that is both efficient and accurate. You need to be able to quickly identify the issue being tested in each question and select the correct answer without getting bogged down. Familiarity with common grammar rules and rhetorical concepts is essential. The more you practice, the faster you will become at recognizing the patterns and error types that frequently appear on the test.

To excel in this section, you must think like an editor. As you read through the passages, be proactive in identifying potential errors and areas for improvement, even before looking at the underlined portions. This mindset will help you to anticipate the questions and answer them more confidently. The goal is to choose the answer that is grammatically correct, stylistically effective, and consistent with the tone and meaning of the passage. Mastering the ACT English section is about combining technical knowledge with a strong sense of effective communication.

Grammar and Usage: The Core of the Test

A significant portion of the ACT English section tests your knowledge of fundamental grammar and usage rules. One of the most frequently tested concepts is subject-verb agreement. The rule is simple: a singular subject must have a singular verb, and a plural subject must have a plural verb. However, the test often tries to trick you by placing prepositional phrases or other clauses between the subject and the verb. To avoid being misled, always identify the true subject of the sentence and ensure the verb agrees with it in number.

Pronoun usage is another key area. This includes pronoun-antecedent agreement, which means a pronoun must agree in number and gender with the noun it replaces (its antecedent). For example, "Each student should bring their book" is incorrect in formal writing; it should be "Each student should bring his or her book." The test also covers pronoun case, such as the difference between "who" and "whom," or "I" and "me." You must know when to use subjective, objective, and possessive pronouns correctly. Vague pronouns, where it is unclear what noun the pronoun is referring to, are also common errors.

Verb tense is a third critical grammar concept. You must be able to ensure that the verbs within a sentence and across a paragraph are in a consistent and logical tense. If a passage is written in the past tense, a sudden shift to the present tense without a clear reason is likely an error. Pay attention to the timeline of events described in the passage to determine the correct verb tense. Understanding perfect tenses (e.g., have walked, had walked) and their proper use is also important for conveying complex time relationships.

Finally, the test frequently includes questions about modifiers. Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns, while adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. A common error is using an adjective where an adverb is needed, or vice versa. Another related issue is dangling or misplaced modifiers. A modifying phrase must be placed as close as possible to the word it is intended to modify. If it is not, it can create a confusing or nonsensical sentence. For example, "Running for the bus, my bag fell" incorrectly implies that the bag was running for the bus.

Punctuation Rules You Absolutely Must Know

Mastery of punctuation is essential for a high score on the ACT English section. Commas are the most frequently tested punctuation mark, and they have numerous rules. You must know how to use commas to separate items in a list, to set off non-essential clauses, after an introductory phrase or clause, and before a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) that joins two independent clauses. Conversely, you must also recognize when a comma is not needed, as the test often inserts unnecessary commas to trick you. A common error tested is the comma splice, which is using a comma to join two independent clauses without a conjunction.

Semicolons and colons are less common but are still tested regularly. A semicolon has two primary uses: to join two closely related independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction, and to separate items in a complex list where the items themselves contain commas. A colon is used to introduce a list, an explanation, a quotation, or an example. The key rule for a colon is that the clause preceding it must be a complete sentence (an independent clause). Understanding the distinct functions of these two punctuation marks is crucial.

Apostrophes are another important area. They are used for two main purposes: to show possession and to form contractions. For possessive nouns, you add an apostrophe and an "s" to singular nouns (the student's book) and just an apostrophe to most plural nouns (the students' books). Be careful with irregular plurals like "children," which would be "children's." For contractions, the apostrophe takes the place of a missing letter or letters (e.g., "it's" for "it is," "don't" for "do not"). Be especially careful not to confuse "it's" with the possessive pronoun "its," which has no apostrophe.

Finally, you should be familiar with the use of dashes. A dash can be used to set off a non-essential element for emphasis, similar to how parentheses are used, or to introduce an explanation or summary. When a pair of dashes is used to set off a phrase in the middle of a sentence, it functions much like a pair of commas or parentheses. The key is to be consistent. If a non-essential element begins with a dash, it must also end with a dash if the sentence continues. These punctuation rules form a significant part of the Usage and Mechanics questions.

Sentence Structure and Formation

A deep understanding of proper sentence structure is fundamental to success on the ACT English test. The exam will test your ability to identify and correct common structural errors. One of the most basic errors is the sentence fragment. A fragment is an incomplete sentence that is punctuated as if it were a complete sentence. It may be missing a subject, a verb, or a complete thought. To correct a fragment, you typically need to connect it to an adjacent independent clause or add the missing elements to make it a complete sentence.

The opposite of a fragment is a run-on sentence. A run-on occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined together without proper punctuation or a coordinating conjunction. There are two types of run-ons. The first is a fused sentence, where the clauses are simply joined with no punctuation at all. The second is the comma splice, where the clauses are incorrectly joined with only a comma. To fix a run-on, you can separate the clauses with a period, join them with a semicolon, add a comma and a coordinating conjunction, or restructure the sentence by making one clause dependent.

Parallel structure, or parallelism, is another key concept. This principle requires that when you have a list of items or ideas in a sentence, they should be presented in the same grammatical form. For example, if you are listing activities, you should use a consistent verb form: "I enjoy hiking, swimming, and to ride my bike" is incorrect. The correct parallel form would be "I enjoy hiking, swimming, and riding my bike." The ACT often tests this concept in lists, comparisons, and phrases joined by correlative conjunctions like "not only... but also."

Finally, you must understand how to properly connect ideas using coordination and subordination. Coordination involves joining ideas of equal rank, typically using a coordinating conjunction (like "and" or "but") to connect two independent clauses. Subordination involves making one idea dependent on another, using a subordinating conjunction (like "although," "because," or "while") to create a dependent clause. Choosing the right conjunction is a rhetorical skill that affects the logical flow and meaning of the sentence, and it is frequently tested on the exam.

Rhetorical Skills: Beyond the Grammar

While grammar is the foundation, rhetorical skills questions make up a substantial portion of the ACT English test. These questions move beyond correctness and ask you to evaluate the effectiveness of the writing. They are divided into three main subcategories: strategy, organization, and style. Strategy questions focus on the author's choices and their impact on the passage. You might be asked to determine if a proposed phrase or sentence adds relevant information, clarifies a point, or achieves a specific goal stated in the question. These questions require you to consider the author's purpose.

Organization questions test your ability to structure ideas logically. This includes questions about the placement of sentences within a paragraph or paragraphs within the entire passage. You might be asked to find the most logical sequence for a series of sentences or to decide where a new paragraph should begin. Another common type of organization question involves transitions. You will need to choose the most effective transitional word or phrase to connect ideas smoothly between sentences or paragraphs, ensuring a logical and coherent flow for the reader.

Style questions focus on the tone and clarity of the writing. These questions ask you to choose the most appropriate word or phrase to maintain a consistent tone, which could be formal, informal, scientific, or personal, depending on the passage. You will also be tested on your ability to identify and eliminate redundancy or wordiness. The best answer is often the most concise one that conveys the intended meaning clearly and effectively. Avoiding awkward phrasing and maintaining a consistent writing style are key skills for answering these questions correctly.

To succeed on rhetorical skills questions, you must read for context. It is not enough to look only at the underlined portion. You need to understand the main idea of the paragraph and the overall purpose of the passage. Before answering a question, ask yourself: What is the author trying to achieve with this sentence or paragraph? How does this choice affect the reader's understanding? By thinking critically about the author's craft, you can move beyond simply identifying grammatical errors and start making effective editorial decisions, which is the true essence of the rhetorical skills questions.

Understanding Author's Intent and Purpose

A key rhetorical skill tested on the ACT English section is your ability to discern the author's intent and purpose. Many questions, particularly those that ask whether to add or delete a sentence, hinge on your understanding of the main goal of a paragraph or the passage as a whole. Before you can decide if a piece of information is relevant, you must first have a clear idea of what the author is trying to accomplish. Is the purpose to inform, to persuade, to describe, or to tell a story?

To identify the author's purpose, you should actively read the passage, paying attention to the central theme and the supporting details. Ask yourself what the main idea of each paragraph is. A good strategy is to quickly summarize the purpose of each paragraph in a few words in the margin. For example, a paragraph's purpose might be to "introduce the problem," "provide a historical example," or "explain a scientific process." Having these summaries will help you quickly evaluate whether a proposed change fits with the paragraph's specific goal.

Questions that explicitly test this skill often begin with phrases like, "Suppose the writer's primary purpose was to..." or "The writer wants to add a sentence that will..." These questions require you to connect the proposed change directly to the stated goal. You must evaluate each answer choice based on how well it fulfills that specific purpose. This means you need to read the question stem very carefully to ensure you understand the exact criteria you are supposed to be using to make your judgment.

Even when the question does not explicitly state the author's intent, it is an underlying consideration for many rhetorical questions. When deciding on the best transition or the most logical order of sentences, you are implicitly making choices based on what would best serve the author's purpose of creating a clear and logical argument. Developing the habit of constantly asking "Why is the author including this?" will help you answer a wide range of questions on the English test, from organization to strategy and style.

Navigating "ADD/DELETE" and "REVISE" Questions

Among the most challenging questions on the ACT English section are those that ask whether to add, delete, or revise a sentence or phrase. These questions require a two-part decision. First, you must decide "yes" or "no" — should the change be made? Second, you must select the correct reason that justifies your decision. This two-step process means that even if you choose "yes" or "no" correctly, you can still get the question wrong if you select the wrong explanation. Therefore, carefully evaluating the reasoning in the answer choices is critical.

When faced with an "ADD/DELETE" question, your first step should be to determine the main idea of the paragraph in which the sentence would be added or from which it would be deleted. Read the surrounding sentences carefully to understand the context and flow of ideas. Then, read the sentence in question and ask yourself if it directly supports or relates to the main idea of the paragraph. Is it relevant and on-topic, or is it a digression that distracts the reader? Does it provide a useful detail or is it unnecessarily repetitive?

After you have decided whether the information is relevant, you must scrutinize the reasons provided in the answer choices. The correct answer will accurately describe the relationship between the sentence in question and the rest of the passage. For example, if you decide to delete a sentence, the correct reason might be that it "blurs the focus of the paragraph" or that it "repeats information presented earlier in the passage." If you decide to add a sentence, the correct reason might be that it "provides a specific example to support the paragraph's main claim" or that it "clarifies a key term."

Revision questions work similarly. They will propose a change to a sentence and you must decide if the revision improves the sentence or passage. Again, focus on the purpose. Does the revised version better achieve the author's goal? Is it clearer, more concise, or more consistent with the passage's tone? Always compare the proposed revision to the original version. The key to these questions is a methodical approach: first, evaluate the proposed change in the context of the paragraph's purpose, and second, carefully analyze the provided reasons to find the one that most accurately justifies your decision.

Passage-Based Strategy: Reading for the Big Picture

While many ACT English questions test sentence-level skills, it is a mistake to approach the section as a series of isolated grammar problems. The test is passage-based for a reason. Many questions, especially those testing rhetorical skills, require you to understand the context of the paragraph and the entire passage. Therefore, an effective strategy involves reading for the big picture, not just hunting for errors in the underlined portions. It is often beneficial to skim through an entire paragraph before you begin answering the questions associated with it.

This initial skim gives you a sense of the paragraph's main idea, tone, and logical flow. With this context in mind, you are much better equipped to answer questions about strategy, organization, and style. For example, you cannot determine the best transitional phrase between two sentences without knowing the logical relationship between the ideas they express. Similarly, you cannot decide if a phrase is stylistically appropriate without understanding the overall tone of the passage. Reading for the big picture provides this essential framework for your decisions.

This approach is particularly important for questions that appear at the end of a passage. These questions often ask about the passage as a whole, such as its primary purpose or whether a new sentence would fit logically at the beginning or end. If you have only been focusing on individual sentences, you will have to go back and reread the entire passage, which wastes valuable time. By developing an understanding of the passage's main theme and structure as you go, you will be prepared to answer these global questions efficiently.

Adopting a passage-based strategy does not mean you need to read every single word of the passage in detail before starting. A quick skim of a paragraph to get your bearings is often sufficient. Then, as you address each underlined portion, you can read the surrounding sentences more carefully to ensure your answer choice fits the immediate context. This hybrid approach balances efficiency with comprehension, allowing you to work quickly without losing sight of the author's overall message and purpose. This is the key to mastering the nuances of the ACT English test.

Time Management for the English Section

The pacing on the ACT English section is demanding: 75 questions in just 45 minutes. This averages out to only 36 seconds per question. To succeed, you need a clear time management strategy. It is helpful to think about the test in terms of passages rather than individual questions. There are five passages, so you have an average of nine minutes per passage. This can be a more manageable way to track your time. A good strategy is to check your watch after each passage to ensure you are on pace.

During your nine minutes per passage, you need to read the text and answer approximately 15 questions. Do not spend too long on any single question. If a question seems particularly difficult or confusing, make your best educated guess, circle the question number in your test booklet, and move on. You can come back to it later if you have time at the end of the section. It is better to answer several easier questions in that same amount of time than to get stuck on one hard one. Remember that all questions are worth the same amount.

Develop a consistent rhythm. Read the passage in a focused but efficient manner, answering questions as you go. Many questions can be answered by reading only the sentence they are in and perhaps the one before and after. However, for rhetorical skills questions, you will need a broader understanding of the paragraph's context. Your practice should help you develop a feel for which questions require more context. Do not be afraid to move back and forth between the text and the questions.

As you near the end of the 45-minute period, be mindful of the clock. If you have five minutes left and are not finished, you may need to speed up. In the last minute, if you still have unanswered questions, it is better to bubble in a guess for each one than to leave them blank. There is no penalty for guessing on the ACT. Your goal is to answer every single question, even if some are guesses. Consistent practice with a timer is the best way to build the speed and confidence you need for this fast-paced section.

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