Jefferson Academy 2011

Format of the test  75 questions, 45 minutes  Usage/Mechanics (40 questions) Punctuation Grammar & Usage Sentence structure  Rhetorical Skills (35 questions) Strategy Organization Style

Format of the test, continued  No spelling or vocabulary questions  All grammar & usage tested in context of the passage (no rote recall required)

ACT English Test

Punctuation  Unnecessary punctuation The court noted, that racial profiling may be justified in some cases. The court noted that racial profiling may be justified in some cases.

Punctuation  Missing punctuation The court noted however, that racial profiling may be justified in some cases. The court noted, however, that racial profiling may be justified in some cases.

Punctuation  Incorrect punctuation Racial profiling is unconstitutional, however, the court noted that it may be justified in some cases. Racial profiling is unconstitutional; however, the court noted that it may be justified in some cases.

Usage/Mechanics  Grammatical agreement The owner of the bicycles are going to sell them. The owner of the bicycles is going to sell them. Susan and Mary left her briefcases in the office. Susan and Mary left their briefcases in the office. Danielle spread frosting liberal on the cat. Danielle spread frosting liberally on the cat.

Usage/Mechanics  Verb forms Fritz had just began to toast Lydia’s marshmallows when the rabbits stampeded. Fritz had just begun to toast Lydia’s marshmallows when the rabbits stampeded.

Usage/Mechanics  Pronoun forms and cases Seymour and Svetlana annoyed there parents. Seymour and Svetlana annoyed their parents. After the incident with the peanut butter, the zebra and me were never invited back. After the incident with the peanut butter, the zebra and I were never invited back.

Usage/Mechanics  Comparative & superlative modifiers Of the three tenors, Luciano Pavarotti is the more famous. Of the three tenors, Luciano Pavarotti is the most famous.

Usage/Mechanics  Idioms Figures of speech, figurative expressions, with specific, metaphoric meaning I have a lot on my plate right now. I paid the sticker price for my car, but she got hers for a steal. We’re leaving at 9:00 at the dot. We’re leaving at 9:00 on the dot.

Sentence Structure  Subordinate or dependent clauses These hamsters are excellent pets because providing hours of cheap entertainment. These hamsters are excellent pets, providing hours of cheap entertainment. or These hamsters are excellent pets because they provide hours of cheap entertainment.

Sentence Structure  Run-on or fused sentences We discovered the entire family had been devoured by anteaters it was horrible. We discovered the entire family had been devoured by anteaters. It was horrible.

Sentence Structure  Comma splices The anteaters had terrible manners, they just ate and ran. The anteaters had terrible manners; they just ate and ran.

Sentence Structure  Sentence fragments A cure for the disease being researched. A cure for the disease is being researched. They like to watch sports. Such as hockey, when they are on television. They like to watch sports, such as hockey, when they are on television.

Sentence structure  Misplaced modifiers Snarling and snapping, Julie attempted to control her pet turtle. Snarling and snapping, the turtle resisted Julie’s attempts to control it. or, Julie attempted to control her pet turtle, which snarled and snapped.

Sentence structure  Shifts in verb tense or voice We sat down at the table to eat, but before we begin, John says grace. We sat down at the table to each, but before we began, John said grace.

Sentence structure  Shifts in pronoun person or number Students should work at the most efficient pace that one can. Students should work at the most efficient pace that they can.

Rhetorical Skills  Writing strategy (Question 13) Consider appropriateness/effectiveness of a sentence or essay in relation to ○ Purpose ○ Audience ○ Unity ○ Focus Consider the effect of adding, revising, or deleting supporting material

Rhetorical Skills  Organization (Question 21) Order and coherence of ideas Paragraph unity and development Transitional expressions

Rhetorical Skills  Style (Question 33) Effective word choices in terms of ○ Style ○ Tone ○ Clarity ○ Economy Sentences may be grammatically correct, but unclear, wordy, or awkward

English Test Strategies  Read PASSAGE first!  Read a sentence or two BEFORE and AFTER the one containing the portion under question.  Try ALL choices before deciding & reread the whole sentence using your selected answer  Watch out for “negative” questions (e.g., “Which of the following alternatives would NOT be acceptable?”)