THE ACT “READING” TEST HOW TO CRACK THE SYSTEM

Reading Strategies for ACT “Read” quickly “Read” for main idea and tone/attitude; ignore details “Read” entire passage Be prepared for boring and difficult passages Mark the text

Marking the Text Underline main ideas, descriptions, points of view Circle examples and “shifters” (AKA transitions) however, although, despite, even though, nonetheless, but Mark (+) or (-) to indicate positive or negative tone, attitudes, and examples Sum up what you just read in a few words somewhere next to the passage

ORDERING THE PASSAGES PROSE FICTION SOCIAL STUDIES HUMANITIES NATURAL SCIENCE

CAMOUFLAGE The answers are not going to be word-for-word what the passage says. If you find an answer that is word-for-word be leery.

DISTRACTERS DISTRACTERS ARE WRONG ANSWERS THEY ARE DESIGNED TO BREAK YOUR CONCENTRATION LEARN TO QUICKLY ELIMINATE THEM THERE ARE FOUR KINDS OF DISTRACTERS

DISTRACTERS DISTORTIONS SWITCH EXTREMES “NICE”

SPECIAL QUESTION TYPES FACT VS. OPINION (FACT IS “EITHER TRUE OR IT ISN’T”; OPINION IS “PEOPLE MAY DISAGREE” WORLD WAR II PROCEEDED FOR SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE THE UNITED STATES SENT ITS TROOPS TO ENGAGE IN COMBAT THE UNITED STATES WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER ADVISED TO ENTER WORLD WAR II IN 1939

SPECIAL QUESTION TYPES STATE OF MIND “AUTHOR’S ATTITUDE” OR CHARACTER QUESTIONS IN LITERATURE SELECTIONS THINK ABOUT THE PERSON AND THE SITUATION ABOUT WHICH YOU’RE BEING ASKED TURN THE ITEM INTO FOUR TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS BY SAYING: THE GUY WAS ___

IT’S ALL UP TO YOU Determine your strengths Determine your strategies Practice