ACT READING PREP 1

skimming tactics

For example, you might focus on a passage’s title, thesis, topic sentences, and conclusion in order to determine a passage’s main idea.

What strategies can you use to answer “purpose of detail” questions?

Read at least one sentence prior to the cited lines in order to determine the context of the detail. Identify how the detail relates to the passage’s thesis.

What are examples of questions that may follow a Literary Narrative passage?

* What occurs in the passage?
* What is the structure of the passage?
* What relationships exist between the characters?
* What do the characters think about one another?
* What qualities define each character?
* How is figurative language used to convey meaning?

What are examples of questions that may follow a Social Sciences or Humanities passage?

* What is the main idea?
* What supporting evidence is provided?
* What is the structure of the passage?
* Who are the different people or groups presented in the passage?
* What are the views of or about the people in the passage?
* Where do people, groups, or theories agree? Where do they disagree and to what extent?

What are examples of questions that may follow a Natural Science passage?

* The way the information is presented (structure and tone)
* Where scientists agree and disagree
* How concepts or organisms are similar to or different from one another
* How the understanding of a concept evolved
* An experiment’s design, including the hypothesis, variables, equipment, procedures, and conclusions
* The extent to which a hypothesis was confirmed or denied
* How can new knowledge be practically applied?
* What questions still exist on this topic?

What strategy can you use to answer a question that includes the word *except*?

Paraphrase the question in simpler terms. For example, think “eliminate answers that *are* included in the passage.” Cross out answers that are included as you find them in the passage.

What is the function of expository writing?

Focuses on relaying facts in an unbiased tone. It answers questions like who, what, where, when, and how.