THE ACT ENGLISH TEST USAGE, MECHANICS, RHETORIC, WRITING STRATEGIES

WHAT IS THE ACT ENGLISH TEST? The English portion of the ACT consists of 75 multiple- choice questions over five reading passages—roughly 15 questions per passage Students have 45 minutes to complete all 75 questions The format of the ACT English Test questions is quite distinctive, so it is well worth while to familiarize yourself with the instructions and practice questions

Punctuation: using commas, colons, dashes, periods, and semicolons We were told to find the following items, a ladybug, an acorn, and a cloverleaf. We were told to find the following items: a ladybug, an acorn, and a cloverleaf. Punctuation: using apostrophes, quotation marks, and exclamation points Your never too old to learn how to use a computer. You’re never too old to learn how to use a computer. USAGE/MECHANICS SKILLS COVERED ON ACT ENGLISH TEST

Grammar and Usage: agreement (subject-verb; pronoun-atecedent) Everyone made sure their porches were swept and their curtains were drawn. All the neighbors made sure their porches were swept and their curtains were drawn. Grammar and Usage: case My brother and me taught ourselves to put up a tent. My brother and I taught ourselves to put up a tent. Grammar and Usage: verb usage Every one of the architect’s buildings are listed as a historical landmark. Every one of the architect’s buildings is listed as a historical landmark. USAGE/MECHANICS SKILLS COVERED ON ACT ENGLISH TEST

Sentence Structure: comma splices, run-ons, and fragments The nation struggled during the Great Depression, too many people were unemployed. The nation struggled during the Great Depression; too many people were unemployed. Sentence Structure: placement of modifiers I spotted a roadrunner driving on Route 66. Driving on Route 66, I spotted a roadrunner. USAGE/MECHANICS SKILLS COVERED ON ACT ENGLISH TEST

Style: word choice The child’s uncanny ability to spell complicated words brought her national infamy. The child’s uncanny ability to spell complicated words brought her national fame. Style: clarity The wrong conclusions about the experiment were drawn by me. I drew the wrong conclusions about the experiment. RHETORICAL SKILLS COVERED ON ACT ENGLISH TEST

Organization: Organization questions deal with the logical order of ideas. Although some questions may involve a single underlined transition, such as however, you may need to take the entire passage into account to determine whether that transition is appropriate. Writing Strategies: These types of questions require you to consider the impact of a certain revision on the purpose, audience, or unity of a passage. RHETORICAL SKILLS COVERED ON ACT ENGLISH TEST

QUESTIONS, ANSWERS, AND ANALYSES Many communities around the country are debating whether or not to enact helmet laws for (1) bicyclists, these laws would require riders to wear helmets while riding on public roads. As a result, riders of all ages are expressing clear opinions about the issue. 1.A. NO CHANGE B. bicyclists. These C. bicyclists; and these D. bicyclists these Answer: The correct answer is B. This is a question about sentence structure and punctuation. Analysis: Option B corrects the comma splice in the underlined portion by breaking the two independent clauses into two sentences. Option A is incorrect because it allows the comma splice to stand. Option C is incorrect because a coordinating conjunction is not necessary when a semicolon is used to connect two independent clauses. Option D results in a fused sentence, another grammatical taboo

QUESTIONS, ANSWERS, AND ANALYSES Many adult bicyclists feel that their right to make personal decisions (2) are infringed upon by the law. They feel that, as adults, they should be free to decide when and if they need to wear a helmet. They object to the possibility 2. F. NO CHANGE G. being H. was J. is Answer: The correct answer is J. This is a question about usage. Analysis: Option J is the only form of the verb that matches the subject in number and keeps the paragraph in the present tense. Option F is incorrect because are does not agree in number with the singular subject right. Option G is incorrect because being is not a verb but a participle; its use would result in a fragment. Option H is incorrect because the composition employs the present tense throughout.

QUESTIONS, ANSWERS, AND ANALYSES of being ticketed by a (3) cop merely for having their heads exposed. Many adults who feel this way, however, also understand that requiring young cyclists to wear helmets makes sense A. NO CHANGE B. policeman C. police officer D. police Answer: The correct answer is C. This is a question about style. Analysis: Option C is the only option that matches the tone of the essay and follows the conventions of standard English usage. Option A is incorrect because the word cop is too slangy for the relatively formal tone of the essay. Option B is incorrect because the police comprise both male and female officers. Option D is incorrect because police, in standard usage, refers collectively to all police officers or to a police department, not to a single officer.

QUESTIONS, ANSWERS, AND ANALYSES Assuming all of the following sentences are true, which would most logically serve as the final sentence in the paragraph? 4.F. These are the same types who object to seatbelt laws for automobile operators. G. They understand the need to protect youngsters until they are old enough to make their own decisions. H. Some people advocate bicycle safety training for all young bicyclists. J. These people evidently have no sense of the inherent hypocrisy in their arguments. Answer: The correct answer is G. This is a writing-strategies item. Unlike the previous items, this item includes a particular question and does not refer to an underlined portion of text but to the boxed number 4, which appears at the end of the paragraph. Analysis: Option G is the only choice that follows logically from the preceding sentence without violating the overarching idea of the paragraph or the purpose of the essay.

QUESTIONS, ANSWERS, AND ANALYSES (5) Furthermore, supporters of the laws point to the effectiveness of seatbelt laws in saving lives and preventing injuries in automobile accidents. They point out that accidents involving bicycles and cars almost always have worse results when the cyclists do not wear helmets. They argue that the cost to the community in helping helmetless riders recover from accidents is too great and that the benefits of preventing head injuries in cyclists offset any infringement of personal rights. 5. A. NO CHANGE B. Consequently, C. Nevertheless, D. In contrast, Answer: The correct answer is D. This is an organization question. Analysis: Option D is the only option that accurately reflects the basic comparison-contrast structure of the essay. Option A (the transition Furthermore) suggests that the subsequent text will consist of an elaboration on the preceding text. Option B (Consequently) suggests that the effect of the preceding paragraph is about to be described. Option C (Nevertheless) suggests that an unexpected twist on the topic in the previous paragraph is about to be discussed

QUESTIONS, ANSWERS, AND ANALYSES Question 6 refers to the passage as a whole. 6. Suppose the writer’s purpose is to persuade readers to adopt the helmet laws. Does the essay in its current state fulfill this purpose? F. Yes; the writer explicitly takes a prohelmet position in the first paragraph. G. Yes; the writer uses emotional language to advocate subtly for the pro-helmet camp. H. No; the writer fails to support the prohelmet position with sound evidence. J. No; the writer presents a balanced overview of both sides of the debate. Answer: The correct answer is J. This type of “passage-as-a-whole” question appears at the end of some, but not all, question sets. Analysis: Since Option J most accurately describes the essay, the writer would have to make substantial revisions to change the essay from an informative to a persuasive one.

PRACTICE ACT ENGLISH TEST 60 Questions 35 Minutes DO NOT WRITE ON PRACTICE TEST Mark best answer on bubble sheet