Strategies for Success on the ACTPart II

Sources: Cracking the ACT by The Princeton Review and

“Zapping the ACT” by the ZAPS Learning Company

Mrs. Shelby Schmidt and Mrs. Sharon Jaeschke

Southeast Valley

Strategies for the English Exam

• There are always five reading passages with errors in punctuation, grammar, usage, or sentence structure

• Most of the test items consist of underlined words, phrases, or sentences; you need to pick the correct way to write the underlined choice. (Why did I use a semicolon in this?)

• Questions focus either on mechanics or understanding of the passage

On Every ACT English Exam…

English Test Tip #1

• Remember if you can’t use a period, you can’t substitute a semicolon

• Watch out for sentence fragments– The ACT will never present a sentence fragment as the correct

choice• Check for fragments in these two situations:

– when you see a period in the underlined part– When you see a period in the choices

• Whenever you discover a fragment, you can ZAP “No Change”. Make sure you new choice does not create a sentence fragment.

English Test – Sentence Structure

• There are four main types of errors in sentence structure.– 1. Sentence fragments– 2. Run-ons and comma splices– 3. Misplaced modifiers– 4. Non-parallel construction

Sentence Structure Example 1

• The bride and groom drove away in their car. As the children ran behind, shouting and laughing.

A. NO CHANGEB. While theC. During which theD. The

Sentence Structure Example 2

• Although it will always be associated with Shakespeare’s famous literary character. The castle at Elsinore was never home to Hamlet.

F. NO CHANGEG. character, theH. character; theJ. character. A

Sentence Structure

• The previous two examples showed two kinds of sentence fragment errors. A second type of sentence structure error is a comma splice and/or run-on.

• Comma Splice:– Two independent clauses are jammed together into once

sentence, with only a comma to try to hold them together.• Aunt Sally ran into the room, Tom was already gone.

• Run on:– Aunt Sally swept up the shards of glass she was furious.

How could we fix these?

Sentence Structure Example 3

There is not much difference between the decision to enter politics and the decision to jump into a pit full of rattlesnakes, in fact, you might find a friendlier environment in the snake pit.

A. NO CHANGEB. rattlesnakes. In fact,C. rattlesnakes in factD. rattlesnakes, in fact

Sentence Structure – Misplaced Modifiers

• A modifying phrase needs to be near what it is modifying. If it gets too far away, it can get misplaced.– Sweeping up the shards of glass, the missing key

to the jewelry box was found by Aunt Sally.– What is wrong? How could you fix it?– Ecstatic and happy, Aunt Sally’s key opened the

jewelry box for the first time.– What is wrong here? How could you fix it?

Sentence Structure Example 4

Walking into the pawnshop, Bob’s watch dropped into the sewer.

A. NO CHANGEB. Bob’s watch dropped in the sewerC. Bob dropped his watch into the sewerD. Bob’s dropped watch into the sewer

Examining the example

• Bob’s watch did not walk into the pawn shop!– “Bob” needs to get closer to the comma so that

the initial phrase refers to him, not the watch. (C) is the only choice that does that.

• Spot it!– If the underlined portion of the sentence is part of

a modifying phrase (a group of words without a subject), check to make sure it modifies the correct noun.

Sentence Structure – Construction Shift

• Similar to misplaced modifier… modifier is in wrong place, but the words aren’t changed… just moved.

Stepping to avoid the large puddle, I carefully tripped and fell.F. NO CHANGEG. (Place after Stepping)H. (Place after and)J. (Place after fell)

Note that sometimes the entire sentence is underlined and the answers are edited sentences with the word (such as carefully) replaced in them.

Sentence Structure –Non-Parallel Construction

• When Tom finally came home, Aunt Sally kissed him, hugged him, and gives him his favorite dessert after dinner.– What’s wrong?

• Three explanations for Sid’s locking himself in his room were a desire to do his homework, a sense that he needed to hone his college essays, and disliking his brother Tom, who always got away with murder.– What’s wrong?

• To see the beauty of a sunset in Venice is experiencing perfection.

– What’s wrong?

To see the beauty of a sunset in Venice is to experience perfection.

Example: Sentence Structure Drill Questions (6 min.)

English Test Tip #2

• Say the choices to yourself to choose “by ear”

• If something sounds wrong or awkward, it probably is wrong

• Review when to use “who” vs. “whom”– Use “who” if you could replace with “he”

(pronoun is the subject)– Use “whom” if you could replace with “him”

(pronoun is the object)

Grammar and Usage Example 1

The students, who had been studying the space program, were thrilled to witness the lunar landing.

F. NO CHANGEG. about whom had been studying the space

program,H. whom had been studying the space program,J. who had been studying the space program

Careful of singular/plural indefinite pronouns

• Each, either, somebody, anyone, everyone, neither– These are all singular (notice ONE, BODY)

Neither of the two young girls with whom I watched the first moon landing expressed their feelings out loud, but I knew that all three of us wanted to be astronauts.

What is wrong?

Grammar and Usage Example 2

• Although the American bald eagle has been on the endangered species list for years, they have been sighted in wildlife preserves much more frequently during the past two years.

A. NO CHANGEB. they areC. it can beD. it has been

Grammar Drill Questions - Time: 6 minutes

English Test Tip #3

1) Review when to use comma or semicolon2) Review when to use a dash 3) General punctuation review

Commas• 1. Commas after items in a series – 3 or more items in a row, you

need a comma after each item in the series except the last one.– John, Paul, George, and Ringo first recorded together in 1962.

• 2. Commas after an introductory phrase– By the end of 1964, the Beatles had several number one records in

England.• 3. Commas to set off stuff that’s not essential to the meaning of

the sentence.– “as a matter of fact,” “believe me,” “I am sure,” “to tell the truth,” “it

seems to me.” Set off by commas!– The Beatles’ most experimental album, in my opinion, is Sgt. Pepper’s

Lonely Hearts Club Band.– Paul McCartney, perhaps the most musically proficient of the Fab Four,

played bass guitar.• NOTE – you can take out the stuff that’s in commas and still have a sentence!

Commas – Misuse:

• The Beatle, who played the drums, was the last to join the group.– This is WRONG! Why?

• The album, recorded just before the band’s breakup, was Abbey Road.– Also WRONG! Why?

– These two sentences do NOT need commas. The words in commas ARE necessary for the reader to know the purpose of the sentence.

Commas - Misuse

• John, Paul, and George all played guitar, Ringo played the drums.– Fix it:

Semicolons

• Semicolons link independent clauses, but WITHOUT a conjunction. It is much like a period. Everything on either side of the semicolon must be able to stand alone as a sentence.

• Shaquille is a powerful player; his size and strength make him a formidable obstacle on the court.

Semicolons

• Semicolons also separate items in a list, much like a comma does. Use them to make a list less confusing when there are already commas separating things within the list.

• Please find the following items for the party: a stereo with both a cassette and a CD player; a birthday cake, but not the kind with icky-sweet icing; a location that has a kitchen, folding tables and chairs, and air conditioning; and plenty of invitations.

• SEMICOLONS are NEVER interchangeable with a COLON or a DASH!

Colons

• Causes a break in a sentence and calls the reader’s attention to what follows. Use a colon in the following ways:– 1. To explain or add emphasis to the first clause in a sentence:

• David Letterman did something no other late-night talk-show host had done: he hired his own mom as a correspondant.

– 2. To introduce a list:• I have three simple wishes for my birthday: a year’s supply of CDs, a

summer vacation in Europe, and a guest appearance on Friends.

– 3. To introduce a quotation that relates strongly to the clause before it:• In the midst of her most pressing problems, she comforted herself with

a saying she’d heard since childhood: “This is a job for Kool-Aid!”

Dashes

• Used to set off information that is not necessary to the meaning of the sentence (like commas do)– The Woodstock II concert – a pale imitation of the

original – was an overpriced fiasco.• Used to emphasize sentence elements– A new scientific study has indicated a

characteristic consistent in highly successful people – a love for chocolate.

Apostrophes• Indicates possession. The apostrophe comes before the s when the noun is singular and

after the s when the noun is plural.– Dave’s friend– The girls’ room will be renovated this summer.– the doctors’ opinions– Stephanie’s camera

• When a plural noun does not already end in s, add an apostrophe +s.– the children’s toys– the mice’s cheese

• With indefinite pronouns, the apostrophe always comes before the s.– Everyone’s expectation was that….– When that might happen was anyone’s guess.

• Apostrophes also indicate missing letters in a word– I’m sorry.– It’s important.– Careful: The baby bear could not find its mother.

Punctuation Drill Questions

• Time: 6 minutes

English Test Tip #4

• Watch and look out for redundancy. If it can be said with one single word, two words should not be used and applied.

There are 3 places in the comment above in which there is redundancy – can you find them?

Redundancy

- Redundancy is a big deal on the ACT-It’s a common problem in the writing of high school and college students.

You don’t need two words when one will suffice!• “After they had built and constructed the doghouse…..”• “It was her first initial appearance”– Choose the ACT answer choice that includes only ONE of

these words• The test will NOT make you choose between the two.

Rhetorical Skills

• 35 of the 75 questions are this category• Strategy, transition, organization, and style

questions.• You may be asked to reorder sentences or

paragraphs, reword something, or evaluate writing.

Rhetorical Skills

• Strategy: Read the question first, and read the portions of the paragraph needed to answer the question.– Note… do not confuse this strategy with those for

the Reading portion of the ACT

Transitions

• but (contradiction) – however, quite the contrary, despite, rather, notwithstanding, contrarily, on the other hand, on the contrary, although, yet, nevertheless

• therefore (cause and effect) – hence, and so, thus, consequently, for example, because of, finally, in conclusion

• also (in addition) – in addition, for example, furthermore, another, and, first, second, moreover, by the same token, besides, so too, similarly.– These words aren’t all interchangeable. However, you need to be able

to figure out which category of transitions best fits the question. Example: Rhetorical Skills Drill Question Time: 5 minutes

English Test Tip #5

• Watch and look out for redundancy. If it can be said with one single word, two words should not be used and applied.

There are 3 places in the comment above in which there is redundancy – can you find them?

English Test Tip #6

• How to handle it when the question number is in a little box– If it refers to one paragraph, you should re-read the

paragraph and answer by eliminating wrong choices– If it requires re-reading the entire passage, guess by

eliminating answers if you can, and then circle the question number to come back to it if there is time left

Example: Rhetorical Skills Drill Questions Time: 4 minutes

English Test Tip #7 and #8

• When you can’t decide between two or three choices, choose the shorter option.– Use this tip only when guessing

• Pay careful attention to the context in which an item appears. You can’t always read just the underlined parts.– Everything NOT underlined is correct. Make sure your

answer fits the rest of the paragraph, phrase or sentence.• Fact/Opinion• Past/Present tense. • Singular/Plural

English Test Tip #9

• For all underlined items, re-read the sentence after you plug in your choices.

• Next – English Practice Test #1 – 75 items, 45 minutes.Remember that you can write on your test booklet,

even on the actual ACT.

Strategies for the Math Exam

On Every ACT Math Exam…

• There will be 60 problems to do in 60 minutes

• If you studied in your algebra I and geometry classes, you will recognize most of the questions since they are written at that level

• Apply the Two Pass Strategy with “Now, later, never”.

Math Test Tip #1 The Two Pass Strategy

• First pass: Decide “Now, later, or never” for each problem

• “Now” - Problems that you are sure you can get correct

• “Later” - Problems that you can do, but they will take more work

and/or time• “Never”– Problems that you know you can’t do

During the First Pass…

• READ every problem carefully!

• “Now” – work the problem and mark the correct answer

• “Never” – choose a “Guess Letter of the Day” and use that letter on every problem that you guess at that day

• “Later” – circle the problem number with the intent of coming back to it.

During the second pass…

• Read the “Later” problems again

• Use more time to do work necessary

• Use POE (“process of elimination”)– Some choices may be obviously incorrect– Completely cross out incorrect choices– Still may need a guess, but with better chance of being

correct

Last Step: 5 Minute Warning

• During every test it is announced when there is 5 minutes remaining

• Stop working on any remaining “Later” problems and use the guess letter on them

• Fill in the remaining bubbles on the score sheet for the test without any further consideration of how to do the problems

• Focus on filling in the score sheet correctly!

Math Test Tip #2

• Using your calculator is not always the best approach – sometimes a sketch, table, equation, graph, or other notes drawn or written near the problem will help you more

Math Test Tip #3

• Underline “key” words as you read the problem – Verbs such as “is” indicate equality or an equals sign– “of” usually indicates a multiplication– “less than” is subtraction with the quantities

switched around

Math Test Tip #4

• Always consider whether it would save time to just plug in the possible answers to see which one works

• Try most likely choices first to save time since there is only one correct answer to each question.

Math Test Tip #5

• Almost every test will have at least one or two problems involving averages

• Go over the basic equation for an average and what each spot represents

• Go over how to solve for each missing spot– The ACT will not just ask “What is the average of

24, 16, and 35?”

Example Averages #1

• If a salesperson sells four cars for an average cost of $10,0000 each, and three of the cars sell for $8,400 each, what is the cost of the fourth car?

Example Averages #2

• A total of 60 sophomores and juniors were given a history test. The 45 juniors had an average score of 85 while the 15 sophomores had an average score of 90. What was the average score for all 60 students who took the test?

Math Test Tip #6

• In regard to the 4 trig questions on every ACT exam…

• Remember SOH CAH TOA• Use the reciprocals to find csc, sec, and cot• If you didn’t take trigonometry – guess right

away on the rest – it is only four of the sixty total questions

Math Test Tip #7

• Refresh your memory – Study the Math Study Guide included in your packet. This

study guide was created to study for the ACT exam.• Practice! If you do not complete the math practice tests

during the time given, finish them at your own speed. Use it as a practice.

• Consider taking the final practice test at your own speed. • Practice using the ACT practice test on the ACT website

(given at the beginning of the powerpoints)• Ask me to re-explain concepts that are still fuzzy to you

Math Test Tip #8

• Study your mistakes on practice exams.– Look up each item you missed in the answer review.

Make sure you understand why the correct answer is correct and why the wrong choices are wrong.

– Rework the problems you missed. This will reinforce what you learned from the problem and make it less likely that you’ll make the same error.

– If it was a “guess” answer that you missed (or got correct), see if the explanation might make it a solvable problem for you.

Math Test Tip #9

• Study the directions in advance– The problem directions are the same on every ACT

test. – Knowing exactly what the directions say in

advance will allow you to skip over the directions– Less chance of misinterpreting the directions

during the test

Math Test Tip #10

• Every problem has one and only one correct answer.– If you know how to do it, do it.– If you get the wrong answer, but you are certain

you know how to do it, re-do it… don’t just pick the answer that is numerically “close”.

Math Test Tip #11 and #12

• Check your work on every problem!• Write or draw freely in your book (but never

your answer sheet.– This is especially helpful if you mess up. You can

find your error– Can help clarify the problem

Math Test Tip #13

• The ACT figures are sometimes NOT drawn to scale. – You can’t simply measure. When drawings are

distorted, it is usually because an accurate drawing would make the correct answer too obvious.

Do the Drills for Math & Discuss

• Basics Drill (10 min.)• Arithmetic Drill (5 min.)• Algebra Drill (6 min.)• Geometry Drill (5 min.)• Graphing and Coordinate Geometry Drill (5 min.)• Trigonometry Drill (3 min.)

Math Test Tip #14

• Important math formulas show up on most ACT exams

• These can be programmed into your calculator for you to use during the exam

• Handout: How to program the Quadratic Formula, Midpoint Formula, and Distance Formula into your TI-83 or 84 calculator

Strategies for the Reading Exam

On Every ACT Reading Exam…

• There will be four passages with ten questions each and you will have 35 minutes.

• The four passages will involve– a social studies topic– a natural sciences topic– an excerpt from a short story or novel– an area of the arts and humanities

Reading Test Tips

#1. Choose the type of passage you are best at reading to do first.

#2. Skim the entire passage before looking at the questions.

#3. Answer all 10 questions before you begin reading the next passage.

#4. Underline main ideas as you read.#5. Make notes in the margins if needed.

Another Reading Test Tip: Circle or underline key words

Reversal Words Supporting Words Result Words“on the other hand” “additionally” “because”“however” “since” “so”“yet” “moreover” “when”“rather” “besides” “therefore”“although” “in fact” “consequently”“in spite of” “furthermore” “thus”“nevertheless” “accordingly”“despite”“even though”“instead”“not withstanding”

Another Reading Tip

• Look at each choice as a True-False statement– The one that is true will be the correct choice

• Words used often in false statements: all, always, every, must , no, never, none (they are absolute)

• Words used often in true statements: some, often, may, seem, most, usually, many (they are vague)

Which one of the following seem most like it could be a true statement?

• A. Every piece of art is equally worthy of praise.

• B. Art and society always influence each other.• C. All innovative art is attractive to the general

public.• D. Art is an activity that supercedes most

others.

How many passages?

• Depends on your natural reading speed• Attempting to finish all 4 passages in 35 minutes MAY

gain you only 4-5 points per passage if you have to rush!• A better idea is to complete 3 of them as well as

possible and blind guess on the 4th.– Choose the areas you like best

• Even choosing to complete 2 of them WELL and blind guessing the other 2 can be better than rushing through all 4. See chart (and fill it in) on “Attacking Passages”

Practice to improve your pace

• You need to know what 35 minutes FEELS like and how many passages you can ATTACK in that amount of time.

• Keep practicing one passage at a time.– The Reading Test is one area where students can

see a great deal of improvement with some practice.

– You don’t need to learn new info--- just practice your skills!

When time is running out, look for questions that provide line or paragraph references.

• These can generally be answered without reading more than a small portion.

Study the wrong choices when correcting your test

• Be aware of how the editors are trying to trap you.– Editors at ACT do expect you to be careless.– They build traps to catch you in careless reading

habits.– Studying wrong choices will help you understand

how they are trying to trap you and how to avoid those traps

– Examples – Do the Reading Passage Drills

If time or on your own

• Avoiding ACT reading traps (4:54)– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWAcgj-Prho

• ACT Reading Test Tips and Strategies (48:02) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyMI06jKSY0– This one can be cut shorter. Start at (3:23) to skip the

introduction• Both of these are from grockit.com

– You can utilize the free 3 day trial for more test practice! The 1st video gives you a preview of it at the end.

Strategies for the Science Exam

On Every ACT Science Exam…

• The test will be 35 minutes and will contain:– 3 Graphs and Charts Passages (5 items each)– 3 Experiments Passages (6 items each)– 1 reading passage (conflicting viewpoints) (7 items)

• Test does not require a strong science background, but having one will give you more speed and familiarity with the terms

• Good performance depends upon strategy and technical reading skills

Science Test Tips

#1. Identify each passage as “Chart,” “Experiment,” or “Reading”#2. Charts are usually the easiest so do them first#3. Spend only 60-90 seconds on the passage before starting the questions – the information may make more sense after you read the questions.#4. Most questions will be one of 3 types:

Why? What-If? Or Look It Up

More Science Test Tips

#4. Pay close attention to the labeling of graphs and tables, and their horizontal and vertical axes.#5. Underline key words (just as in the Reading Test)#6. Be more aware of the time and when running out of time, eliminate choices to make a better guess. Make sure you answer every question!#7. Underline or circle negative words in questions and mark each choice with “yes” or “no” as you read them.#8. Move quickly. This test goes fast!Example: Do the Science Drills

ACT – Science Prep

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ef7rXEwHDFk– Note that the passage summary does not have the

correct numbers, but the 6 min/5 min/4 min strategy still applies (with a total of 33 minutes instead of the noted 32 in the video)

• Extra Practice:– http://www.actstudent.org/sampletest/science/sc

i_01.html

• Realize when you go to take the ACT: • You have probably prepared more than 90% of the

students in the room. • If you apply what you have practiced, you will do

well. • You have worked too hard to have a low score. • You need to trust the tips and work hard the entire

morning. • You can earn an ACT score that will get you accepted

into any college and may help you earn scholarships.• You have the opportunity to make your parents

proud!

Next…

• English/Math/Reading/Science Practice Tests– We will do one topic a day– Check and go over on your own

• Come in and ask on any question you have or want to clarify

• Do more practice on your own. Use the 3rd practice test in your study guide. Use the practice on the ACT website. More are available online as well.

Remember…

• YOU prepared• BE confident• APPLY what you know• WORK hard… persevere through the test!• YOU can do this!