Transcript ACT Prep Workshop: ENGLISH

ACT Prep Workshop:
ENGLISH
November 27, 2012
General ACT Information
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Test is all multiple choice
Score from 1-36
Benchmark score for ENGLISH: 20
Benchmark score for READING: 18
English test is 75 questions in 45 minutes
Reading test is 40 questions in 35
minutes
Tips for ACT Success
• Answer the easiest questions first
• Never leave any question blank – you are
only scored on the number of questions
you get right
• Write all over the test booklet!
• Use process of elimination
• Go with your first instinct
English Test: General Info
• Common errors featured on the test include:
– Sentence fragments
– Run-on sentences
– Misplaced modifiers
– Lack of parallelism
• May see some questions on redundancy; if a
sentence appears awkward or verbose, it
probably is
Test Breakdown
• Usage/Mechanics: 40 questions
– Punctuation: 10
– Basic Grammar and Usage: 12
– Sentence Structure: 18
• Rhetorical Skills: 35 questions
– Strategy: 12
– Organization: 11
– Style: 12
TOTAL: 75
TIPS BY SECTION: English
The English Subject Test (75 Questions, 45 Minutes)
• Speed is a huge element in the ACT overall, but particularly
in the English section.
• With an average of only 36 seconds per question, you must
have a good feel for the pace going into the exam (yet
another reason practice tests are so important!)
• You will be primarily tested on grammar and style. The test
contains 5 passages with 15 questions each.
• For some students, underlining on this section (in addition
to the reading and science sections) can be helpful.
• Do not forget the strategy of skipping extremely difficult
questions rather than wasting your time.
Source: Hughes Tutoring, LLC
Video Clips – ACT Help
ACT English Section:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaZ37h5HQl4&feature=edu&list=
PL9B99BD1005632B6D
ACT English Content, Part I:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFAnrkRo9kA&feature=edu&list=P
L9B99BD1005632B6D
ACT English Content, Part II:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejTiw5gVHIU&feature=edu&list=P
L9B99BD1005632B6D
ACT Six English Strategies:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L64OrvENWwA&feature=edu&list
=PL9B99BD1005632B6D
Grammar Rule 1: Apostrophes
• Use in possessive nouns
• Mary’s paper; the dog’s bowl
• Don’t use in possessive personal pronouns
• The problem is hers (not her’s)
• Use them in contractions
• “It’s time to go”
• “You’re the one”
• Its vs. It’s – most common error
• It’s been a pleasure to meet you.
• The business must report its earnings.
Grammar Rule 2: Commas
• Separate two independent clauses with
coordinating conjunction
– The ride was busy, so we had to wait.
– My mom bought a new car, and I am not allowed
to drive it.
• Use a semicolon or a period, NOT a comma, to
separate two independent clauses not separated
by a coordinating conjunction
– That test was so difficult; I feel as though I failed.
– He drove us to the game, we got there early
enough to get good seats.
Commas, cont’d.
• Conjunctive adverbs signal the relationship
between the point(s) made in the material before
their sentence and the material of that sentence.
When you begin an independent clause with a
conjunctive adverb or when you use it in the
middle of a sentence, set it off with a comma.
– The jury, consequently, has not come to a
decision and must be sequestered.
– Moreover, the panel of judges needs to
consider the magnitude of talent present in this
room.
Commas, Cont’d.
• Use a comma to separate two independent
clauses connected by a coordinating
conjunction unless the two independent
clauses are short and simple:
– Correct: The sunlight helped the flowers to grow,
but they require frequent watering in order to stay
alive.
– Correct: Yours is timely and mine is late.
Grammar Rule 3: References
• A referent is a word or phrase that refers to
something else (an antecedent). Problems with
referents can cause confusion and, sometimes,
unintended humor.
• Problems with references occur primarily:
– when sentences have more than one possible
antecedent (often caused by placing the referent
too far from the intended antecedent)
– when the antecedent is only implied
Grammar Rule 3: References
• To prevent children from sucking their thumbs,
some parents soak them in Tabasco sauce.
[Do the parents soak the children or the
thumbs?]
• The corporate officers had failed to disclose the
serious conflicts of interest caused by their
ownership of several of T&J's suppliers. The
possibility of a bankruptcy was a disaster for
them.
[Was the possibility a disaster for the officers,
the conflicts, or the suppliers?]
Grammar Rule 4: Agreement
The following indefinite pronouns are singular
and take a singular verb:
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anyone
each
either
everyone
neither
Anyone is welcome.
Each is an expert.
Either supports the argument.
Everyone has problems.
Neither sings in tune.
Grammar Rule 4: Agreement
• The singular verb is correct even when the
indefinite pronoun is followed by a
prepositional phrase with a plural noun:
– Each of these peaceful alternatives was [not
"were"] ignored.
– Either of the twins is [not "are"] available.
Grammar Rule 4: Agreement
• The following indefinite pronouns are either
singular or plural, depending on the nouns or
pronouns they refer to:
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all
any
none
some
• For example:
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All singers are permitted . . . .
All of the money is counted . . . .
None of them are satisfied . . . .
None of the royalty was present . . . .
Grammar Rule 4: Agreement
• Watch for both verb agreement and pronoun
agreement when a singular subject is modified
by a phrase or clause containing a plural noun:
– The confidence of several families was [not were]
attained.
– Each of the groups agrees [not agree] to resolve
the problem peacefully.
– Every student who had already taken both courses
is [not are] excused from this requirement.
Grammar Rule 5: Parallel Structure
• Where possible, similar ideas should be
expressed in a similar (parallel) structure and
grammatical form.
• Parallelism makes for easier reading and
clearer meanings.
• It also improves sentence rhythm and cuts
down on verbiage.
Grammar Rule 5: Parallel Structure
• Non-parallel structure:
– Problems occur when the business conceals relevant
documents or by deluging the auditors with irrelevant
documents.
• A parallel structure would be:
– Problems occur when the business conceals relevant
documents or when they deluge the auditors with
irrelevant documents.
• Now that the structure is parallel, extra
words can go:
– Problems occur when the business conceals relevant
documents or deluges the auditors with irrelevant
documents.
Grammar Rule 5: Parallel Structure
• Parallel structure is especially important in a
list.
– When the new commander arrived at the post, he
immediately posted a new list of orders: no leaves
were to be granted, and no leniency was to be
given.
– The teacher gave us our syllabus, handed out the
textbook guides, and reviewed the school rules
with us.
What questions do you have?
Sample Questions
http://www.actstudent.org/sampletest/english/
eng_01.html