Tackling the ACT English Section Strategies Structure of

Structure of the ACT English Test 5 prose passages 75 multiple-choice questions 45 minutes

Set a Goal Score To score a 20: 46 -48 questions correct To score

#1 – Trick Plays Skim each passage first. Make notes in the margin about:

#2 – Weak Defense Guessing on the Test Obviously, DO NOT guess on the

#4 – The Distractions “Its” or “Its” Its shows possession. Use it like his

#5 – The Distractions Subject / Verb Agreement Singular subject requires singular verb. My

#7 – Who is your coach? “Who” or “Whom” To decide whether to choose

#8 – Too much talk Wordiness Questions: Delete phrases that duplicate what has been

#9 – Foul Play “Least Acceptable” Questions This question asks which form of the

#10 – Overtime “Add-on” Sentence Questions These ask you to decide “if the author

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Tackling the ACT English Section Strategies

Structure of the ACT English Test 5 prose passages 75 multiple-choice questions 45 minutes About 9 minutes per passage – Pace yourself. After 22 minutes, you should be to #38. 40 Usage/Mechanics ? ’s 35 Rhetorical ? ’s

Set a Goal Score To score a 20: 46 -48 questions correct To score a 25: 58 -59 questions correct To score a 30: 67 -68 questions correct Answer ALL questions! You are not penalized for guessing.

9 MINUTES Per passage

#1 – Trick Plays Skim each passage first. Make notes in the margin about: 1. Verb Tense for entire passage (past, present, future) 2. Use of Person 1 st = I, me, we 2 nd = you, 3 rd = he, she, they, them

#2 – Weak Defense Guessing on the Test Obviously, DO NOT guess on the test if you have more time to answer or double-check questions. If you are forced to guess, guess in a straight – line. This way you are guaranteed to get at least 2 points per section.

#4 – The Distractions “Its” or “Its” Its shows possession. Use it like his and her. The cat stalked its prey, its forepaw extended. It’s is a contraction. It’s (it is) the warmest day of the year. When it’s (it is) snowing, I like to go outside. BEWARE: ITS’ is not a word. This is an ACT trick.

#5 – The Distractions Subject / Verb Agreement Singular subject requires singular verb. My car has two doors. Plural subject requires plural verb. Many cars have four doors. Do not let intervening words mess you up. A shipment (of cheeses and sausages) was expected last week. Ron, along with four other classmates, was elated over his scholarship.

#7 – Who is your coach? “Who” or “Whom” To decide whether to choose “who” or “whom, ” reword the sentence and substitute “he” or “him. ” Who/Whom did you call? Did you call he/him? You called him, so you need “whom. ” Who/Whom in your class is going to college? Is he/him going to Harvard? He is going to college, so you need “who. ”

#8 – Too much talk Wordiness Questions: Delete phrases that duplicate what has been said or add nothing to the meaning of the sentence. Tip: Select the shortest answer that makes sense. Example: She listens with an eagle eye for details. Example: Hundreds of escaped slaves who fled from their owners assisted the British during the War of Independence.

#9 – Foul Play “Least Acceptable” Questions This question asks which form of the underlined portion “would be Least Acceptable here. ” Look for the odd-man out. Which one seems wrong? That is the right answer. These appear frequently on the ACT because many students miss them.

#10 – Overtime “Add-on” Sentence Questions These ask you to decide “if the author were to add…” what would he/she say? Underline key words (i. e. “examples” or “illustrate”) Recognize if the answer options are general or specific. Mark with a ‘G’ or ‘S’.