Transcript ACT Prep
ACT Prep 2015 Answer every question—there is no penalty for guessing! English Test Usage & Mechanics 53% Punctuation 10 questions Grammar and usage 12 questions Sentence structure 18 questions Rhetorical Skills 47% Writing strategy 12 questions Organization 11 questions Style 12 questions 5 passages, 15 questions each = 30 seconds per question What does it look like? What does it look like? Subject Verb Agreement When a verb is underlined, trust your ear. When in doubt, identify its subject and make sure singular/plural and tense match the subject. When a verb is underline, identify the subject and cross out any prepositional phrases; a prepositional phrase NEVER counts as the subject of the verb. Also, ask what is doing the action of the verb. Answer every question—there is no penalty for guessing! Transitional Words & Phrases Addition also, furthermore, moreover, similarly, too Cause & Effect therefore, ergo, thus, and, so, since, because, accordingly, as a result, consequently, hence Concession granted that, it is true that, no doubt, to be sure Conclusion in short, that is, to conclude, to sum up Contrast however, still, nevertheless, although, though, even though, but, on the contrary, on the other hand Example for example, for instance Making Comparisons • • • • “-er” or “more” is used to compare two things “-est” or “most” is used to compare three or more things “who” is for people, and “which” is for things Also watch for paired words—“not only…but also” and “either…or” Sentence Correction • The correct answer on a “sentence correction” question will always be the most clear, concise, direct, and nonredundant choice. Avoid Passive Voice • Named must your fear be before banish it you can. Master Yoda Answer every question—there is no penalty for guessing! Commas • Separate independent clauses joined by coordinating conunctions (and, but, for, or, nor, yet, so) • • • • • Separate items in a series Separate coordinate adjectives modifying the same noun Set off nonrestrictive phrases and clauses from the rest of the sentence Set off contrasting and nonessential phrases and clauses Can take the place of an omitted word/phrase Semicolons • Use between related independent clauses not joined by a coordinating conjunction • Use between independent clauses joined by a transitional word • Use to separate coordinate clauses (if the clauses contain commas) • To separate items in a series when the items contain internal punctuation Let’s Practice Reading Test Reading Content Percent of Test Number of Questions Prose Fiction 25% 10 Social Studies 25% 10 Humanities 25% 10 Natural Science 25% 10 4 passages, 10 questions each = 3 – 4 minutes per passage, 4 minutes for 10 questions or 25 seconds per question Reading Test • Draw inferences from the passages • • • • Find and perceive implications Determine main ideas See cause-effect relationships Interpret the meaning of words and ideas in the context • Identify the author’s intent and method of presentation • Analyze the sequence of events • Identify the significance of selected details • Separate fact from opinion • Evaluate the validity of ideas Let’s Practice Works Cited • Barron’s ACT • McGraw-Hill’s Top 50 Skills for a Top Score: Critical Reading and Writing