English Rhetoric Success on the ACT

Information for this presentation was taken from

Ene-Kaja Chippendale, Ph.D.2013-2014

GENERAL ENGLISH TEST INFORMATION

• 5 passages of 15 questions each = 75 totalo 9 minutes/passage

• Set a goal scoreo 21 = 48/75 correcto 25 = 58/75 correcto 31 = 69/75 correct

Composite Calculation:22 + 25 + 23 + 27 = 97 → 97/4 = 24.25 → 24

PACING & OVERCORRECTION

• 1 of 5 questions (20%) are “NO CHANGE” (underlined portion is already correct).

• Answer all questions, skipping long questions if time is a problem.

• Align question/answer numbers carefully.• At the 5 minute warning, fill in remaining

bubbles from the BOTTOM, with ONE letter (B is suggested), then continue until time is up.

More PACING

• Get a watch! Digital is better, but it cannot beep.

• If analog (hands), set it to noon at the beginning of each test.

• Practice with the watch at home → 9 minutes per passage

RHETORICAL QUESTIONS

1. “Wordiness” questions: All answers are basically the same, but written in different ways

2. “OMIT” questions: Decide if the underlined portion is needed or not

3. “Best Word Choice” questions: Choose what word best fits the criteria given in the question

More Question Types

4. “Add-On” or “Kept/Deleted” questions: Decide whether something added or removed from the text is desirable

5. “Least Acceptable” questions: Most often missed because students overlook the EXCEPT or NOT in the question

WORDINESS QUESTIONS

All 4 answer choices say the same thing, just worded in

different ways.

ALWAYS SELECT THE SHORTEST, SIMPLEST

ANSWER!

1. Ms. Koman moved to her house in 1948, when she had reached the age of eighteen years old.

A. NO CHANGE

B. her age was eighteen years old.

C. she had attained eighteen years in age.

D. she was eighteen years old.

1. Ms. Koman moved to her house in 1948, when she had reached the age of eighteen years old.

A. NO CHANGE

B. her age was eighteen years old.

C. she had attained eighteen years in age.

D. she was eighteen years old.

2. In both these cases, Grant recognized a need and focused his skills, imagination, and intelligence for devising a way to fill that need.

A. NO CHANGE

B. a lack of something that was needed.

C. that a need was in existence.

D. a need that was out there.

2. In both these cases, Grant recognized a need and focused his skills, imagination, and intelligence for devising a way to fill that need.

A. NO CHANGE

B. a lack of something that was needed.

C. that a need was in existence.

D. a need that was out there.

3. During World War II, the United States and Canadian governments, whose countries border each other, unjustly relocated many people of Japanese descent.

A. NO CHANGE

B. governments, who share a national border,

C. governments, geographically linked by a joint border,

D. governments,

3. During World War II, the United States and Canadian governments, whose countries border each other, unjustly relocated many people of Japanese descent.

A. NO CHANGE

B. governments, who share a national border,

C. governments, geographically linked by a joint border,

D. governments,

4. The songs and dances she cherished chronicled life, death, and to have a rebirth; they celebrated creation and revolution; they celebrated seasons and the harvest.

A. NO CHANGE

B. rebirth

C. to be reborn;

D. to have a rebirth

4. The songs and dances she cherished chronicled life, death, and to have a rebirth; they celebrated creation and revolution; they celebrated seasons and the harvest.

A. NO CHANGE

B. rebirth

C. to be reborn;

D. to have a rebirth

“OMIT” QUESTIONS

Always try “OMIT the underlined portion” first by reading the selection and leaving out the

underlined part.

If it is correct and makes sense, select this option and move on!

1. Even astronauts orbiting the earth chew sugar-free bubble gum while in orbit.

A. NO CHANGE

B. During their time in space

C. Which does not have sugar in it

D. OMIT the underlined portion and end the sentence with a period.

1. Even astronauts orbiting the earth chew sugar-free bubble gum while in orbit.

A. NO CHANGE

B. During their time in space

C. Which does not have sugar in it

D. OMIT the underlined portion and end the sentence with a period.

2. A few corroded pennies, their coppery surfaces pitted and had been tarnished, blended with the soil.

A. NO CHANGE

B. they were

C. were

D. OMIT the underlined portion

2. A few corroded pennies, their coppery surfaces pitted and had been tarnished, blended with the soil.

A. NO CHANGE

B. they were

C. were

D. OMIT the underlined portion

3. While I did not know if my grandparents had always thought that way. I also did not know, yet, whether they would approve of my clothing or the apparent lack of authority my father had over me.

A. NO CHANGE

B. As

C. OMIT the underlined portion

D. Although

3. While I did not know if my grandparents had always thought that way. I also did not know, yet, whether they would approve of my clothing or the apparent lack of authority my father had over me.

A. NO CHANGE

B. As

C. OMIT the underlined portion

D. Although

4. Each species being a different size, shape, color, and heat.

A. NO CHANGE

B. having

C. has

D. OMIT the underlined portion

4. Each species being a different size, shape, color, and heat.

A. NO CHANGE

B. having

C. has

D. OMIT the underlined portion

Exception – sentence needs to remain a clear and complete thought.

“BEST WORD CHOICE” QUESTIONS

Choose which word best fits.

Two Hints:• If two answers say the same

thing, then both are wrong!• Pay attention to the criteria

presented in the question.

1. Perhaps the celebration of New Year’s Day in Korean culture is heightened; it is thought of as everyone’s birthday party.

A. NO CHANGE

B. raised

C. lifted

D. lighted

1. Perhaps the celebration of New Year’s Day in Korean culture is heightened; it is thought of as everyone’s birthday party.

A. NO CHANGE

B. raised

C. lifted

D. lighted

2. Even something as visibly simple or natural as computing a person’s age can prove to be not so clear cut.

A. NO CHANGE

B. apparently

C. entirely

D. fully

2. Even something as visibly simple or natural as computing a person’s age can prove to be not so clear cut.

A. NO CHANGE

B. apparently

C. entirely

D. fully

Note: You may like the sound of choice B better, but if the sentence is fine, don’t change it!

“BEST WORD CHOICE” QUESTIONS

Choose which word best fits.

Two Hints:• If two answers say the same thing,

then both are wrong!• Pay attention to the criteria

presented in the question.

3. Alligators can go through water at astonishing speeds.

The writer wants to emphasize here how quickly alligators move. Which choice would most dramatically achieve this effect?

A. NO CHANGE

B. proceed

C. streak

D. advance

3. Alligators can go through water at astonishing speeds.

The writer wants to emphasize here how quickly alligators move. Which choice would most dramatically achieve this effect?

A. NO CHANGE

B. proceed

C. streak

D. advance

4. …I stare into the mirror at my self and at the mound of long black braids. “Beautiful,” Renee proclaims, “just like Janet Jackson.”

Which choice would most effectively emphasize the sense of approval in Renee’s statement?

A. NO CHANGE

B. verbalizes,

C. comments,

D. remarks,

4. …I stare into the mirror at my self and at the mound of long black braids. “Beautiful,” Renee proclaims, “just like Janet Jackson.”

Which choice would most effectively emphasize the sense of approval in Renee’s statement?

A. NO CHANGE

B. verbalizes,

C. comments,

D. remarks,

5. In 1970, the school board in Pittsfield, New Hampshire approved a dress code that prohibited students from wearing certain types of clothing. The school board members believed that wearing “play clothes” to school made the students lax and indifferent toward their school work, while more formal attire established a positive educational climate.

Given that all of the choices are true, which one would best illustrate the term “dress code” as it is used in this sentence?

A. NO CHANGE

B. Clothing that was inappropriate.

C. Clothing, including sandals, bell-bottom pants, and “dungarees” (blue jeans).

D. Clothing that is permitted in some schools today.

HELPFUL TIP

• Whenever you see the words “illustrate” or “examples” in a question, look for the answer that gives specific details or examples!

5. In 1970, the school board in Pittsfield, New Hampshire approved a dress code that prohibited students from wearing certain types of clothing. The school board members believed that wearing “play clothes” to school made the students lax and indifferent toward their school work, while more formal attire established a positive educational climate.

Given that all of the choices are true, which one would best illustrate the term “dress code” as it is used in this sentence?

A. NO CHANGE

B. Clothing that was inappropriate.

C. Clothing, including sandals, bell-bottom pants, and “dungarees” (blue jeans).

D. Clothing that is permitted in some schools today.

6. We observe thunderstorms over Stampede Pass in the Cascade Range or into Hells Canyon on the Snake River, and when lightning starts a fire, we get ready to jump.

Which choice would most effectively emphasize the vigor and energy that are an essential part of the work of smoke jumping?

A. NO CHANGE

B. follow

C. attend

D. chase

6. We observe thunderstorms over Stampede Pass in the Cascade Range or into Hells Canyon on the Snake River, and when lightning starts a fire, we get ready to jump.

Which choice would most effectively emphasize the vigor and energy that are an essential part of the work of smoke jumping?

A. NO CHANGE

B. follow

C. attend

D. chase

7. I’m not talking about imaginary creatures but about deliciously real morel mushrooms – funny looking, textured, edible fungi that appear in springtime.

Given that all the choices are true, which one most specifically describes the appearance of a morel mushroom for readers who have never seen one?

A. NO CHANGE

B. earthy, oddly amusing, interesting looking

C. odorless and unusually

D. Sand-colored, cone-shaped, sponge-like

7. I’m not talking about imaginary creatures but about deliciously real morel mushrooms – funny looking, textured, edible fungi that appear in springtime.

Given that all the choices are true, which one most specifically describes the appearance of a morel mushroom for readers who have never seen one?

A. NO CHANGE

B. earthy, oddly amusing, interesting looking

C. odorless and unusually

D. Sand-colored, cone-shaped, sponge-like

8. It is clear that popcorn has been given a permanent role in the modern American diet

Which choice best emphasizes the writer’s belief that America’s interest in popcorn will continue into the future.

A. NO CHANGE

B. an early role

C. a genuine position

D. a reasonable purpose

8. It is clear that popcorn has been given a permanent role in the modern American diet

Which choice best emphasizes the writer’s belief that America’s interest in popcorn will continue into the future.

A. NO CHANGE

B. an early role

C. a genuine position

D. a reasonable purpose

“Add-On” Yes/No QUESTIONS

These are questions that ask you to decide whether an author should add or

delete another line of text

For Yes/No questions, always look at the two “NO” answers first!

Most (though not all) add-on sentences provide irrelevant material.

1. (Note: The passage discusses growth of interest in popcorn because of the popularity of microwaves.) At this point, the writer is considering adding the following sentence:

A microwave is an electromagnetic wave usually between one millimeter and one meter in wavelength.

Would this be a relevant addition at this point in the essay?

A. Yes, because it supports the point that researchers had to do a great deal of experimenting before they could get popcorn to pop in a microwave.

B. Yes, because it provides scientific information that helps the reader to understand why microwave popcorn was so successful.

C. No, because it distracts the reader from the focus of the essay and does not logically fit at this point.

D. No, because the information presented is too detailed for such an informal essay.

1. (Note: The passage discusses growth of interest in popcorn because of the popularity of microwaves.) At this point, the writer is considering adding the following sentence:

A microwave is an electromagnetic wave usually between one millimeter and one meter in wavelength.

Would this be a relevant addition at this point in the essay?

A. Yes, because it supports the point that researchers had to do a great deal of experimenting before they could get popcorn to pop in a microwave.

B. Yes, because it provides scientific information that helps the reader to understand why microwave popcorn was so successful.

C. No, because it distracts the reader from the focus of the essay and does not logically fit at this point.

D. No, because the information presented is too detailed for such an informal essay.

ADDITIONALLY

Another “add-on” question on the ACT asks if the line(s) should be “kept” or “deleted.”

For these choices, read the KEPT options first; one of them is usually the correct

answer.

If you are unsure, you can read the text without that portion to help you.

2. Text: The individuals who are passionate about these highway beautification programs point out that native plants along a roadway do more than beautify the area.

The writer is considering deleting the phrase “who are passionate about these highway beautification programs” from the preceding sentence. Should the phrase be kept or deleted?

A. Kept, because it indicates the paragraph’s focus on the people who founded federal wildflower programs.

B. Kept, because it clarifies the term individuals and contributes to the logic of the paragraph.

C. Deleted, because the first paragraph of the essay has already established that people are passionate about wildflowers.

D. Deleted, because it draws attention away from the wildflowers and places it on the people.

2. Text: The individuals who are passionate about these highway beautification programs point out that native plants along a roadway do more than beautify the area.

The writer is considering deleting the phrase “who are passionate about these highway beautification programs” from the preceding sentence. Should the phrase be kept or deleted?

A. Kept, because it indicates the paragraph’s focus on the people who founded federal wildflower programs.

B. Kept, because it clarifies the term individuals and contributes to the logic of the paragraph.

C. Deleted, because the first paragraph of the essay has already established that people are passionate about wildflowers.

D. Deleted, because it draws attention away from the wildflowers and places it on the people.

“LEAST ACCEPTABLE” QUESTIONS

You are now changing gears and looking for the incorrect or

inaccurate answer or choice.

Think of the answers as true/false.

The FALSE choice is the correct answer.

1. It is pleasant to see vacationers enjoying my hometown so much.

Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion would be LEAST acceptable here?

A. notice

B. observe

C. enjoy

D. watch

1. It is pleasant to see vacationers enjoying my hometown so much.

Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion would be LEAST acceptable here?

A. notice

B. observe

C. enjoy

D. watch Remember to eliminate choices that do or say

the same thing.

2. Last week some fellow passengers and I watched an elderly man with a portable chessboard playing chess against himself.

Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion would NOT be acceptable?

A. who played

B. as he played

C. played

D. who was playing

2. Last week some fellow passengers and I watched an elderly man with a portable chessboard playing chess against himself.

Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion would NOT be acceptable?

A. who played

B. as he played

C. played

D. who was playing

3. She worked for thirty years as a teacher and librarian in the field of education in Baltimore public schools.

Which of the following words or phrases from the preceding sentence is LEAST necessary and could therefore be deleted?

A. thirty

B. and librarian

C. in the field of education

D. Baltimore public

3. She worked for thirty years as a teacher and librarian in the field of education in Baltimore public schools.

Which of the following words or phrases from the preceding sentence is LEAST necessary and could therefore be deleted?

A. thirty

B. and librarian

C. in the field of education

D. Baltimore public

4. Grandpa said that, in their old age, he and Grandma had often stumbled on those rough-hewn cobblestones.

Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion would be LEAST acceptable here?

A. recited

B. explained

C. pointed out

D. stated

4. Grandpa said that, in their old age, he and Grandma had often stumbled on those rough-hewn cobblestones.

Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion would be LEAST acceptable here?

A. recited

B. explained

C. pointed out

D. statedRemember to eliminate choices that do or say

the same thing.

5. Well, my decade-old hairstyle had begun to look like a tarnished crown, so I opted for something new – a braid extension.

Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion would NOT be acceptable?

A. decided on

B. wished on

C. went for

D. chose

5. Well, my decade-old hairstyle had begun to look like a tarnished crown, so I opted for something new – a braid extension.

Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion would NOT be acceptable?

A. decided on

B. wished on

C. went for

D. chose

6. Outside Navajo communities such exposure is rare which greatly contributes to its success.

Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion would NOT be acceptable?

A. rare; this

B. rare this

C. rare. This

D. rare, a factor that

6. Outside Navajo communities such exposure is rare which greatly contributes to its success.

Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion would NOT be acceptable?

A. rare; this

B. rare this

C. rare. This

D. rare, a factor that

Review: RHETORICAL QUESTIONS types

1. “Wordiness” questions: All answers are basically the same, but written in different ways

2. “OMIT” questions: Decide if the underlined portion is needed or not

3. “Best Word Choice” questions: Choose what word best fits the criteria given in the question

4. “Add-On” or “Kept/Deleted questions: Decide whether something added or removed from the text is desirable

5. “Least Acceptable” questions: Most often missed because students overlook the EXCEPT or NOT in the question