ACT: The
Reading Test
ACT READING TEST
4 categories of Each has a very
reading passages specific theme
Social Studies SKIM ALL READING
Natural Sciences PASSAGES…DO
Humanities
NOT READ
CLOSELY
Prose Fiction
10 questions after
Each passage is each passage
about 1,000 words
long 3 categories of
reading questions:
written at about the Specific Detail,
same difficulty level Inference, Big Picture
as college textbooks
SUGGESTIONS FOR
READING THE PASSAGE
Read actively, with an eye towards where
the author is going
Read very quickly but actively, getting a
sense of the main idea of the passage and
seeing how everything fits together
don’t worry about details; you can go back
and find them later
circle key words (such as names, dates, and
unfamiliar words) so that you can find them
easily when you are answering the questions
READING CLUES
Structural clues
But, nevertheless, and
moreover help you get a sense
of where the paper is going
Signal clues
Clearly, as a result, or no one
can deny that… determine
logic of the passage
Remember you can come
back for details later
SIGNAL WORDS TO WATCH
FOR
Indicating a contrast
but, however, on the other hand, nevertheless
Indicating a continuation with a similar or complementary thought
moreover, furthermore, or a semicolon
Indicating a conclusion
therefore, thus
Reasons for a conclusion
since, because of , due to
Examples or illustration
for instance, for example
KAPLAN’S 3 STEP METHOD
You should spend only about 9 minute per
passage
less than 3 minutes should be spent pre-reading
the rest of the time should be spent considering
questions and referring back to the passage to
find the answers
tale 2 sweeps through the questions for each
passage
Get the easier questions the first time around
Go back for the more difficult ones
Questions are not in order of easiest to hardest
KAPLAN’S 3 STEP METHOD
1. Pre-read the
passage quickly
2. Consider the
question stem
3. Refer back to
the passage for the
answers
KAPLAN’S 3 STEP METHOD
STEP 1: PRE-READ (3 min. per passage)
understand the main idea of the passage
get an overall idea of how the passage is
organized
underline key points (like a highlighter)
jot down notes in the margin
circle key clue words
DO NOT get bogged down with the details
KAPLAN’S 3 STEP METHOD
STEP 2: QUESTION STEM
don’t let the answer choices direct your
thinking
The test makers intentionally design the
answers to confuse you if they can
Look at the questions stem ONLY; do not
look at the possible answers first
KAPLAN’S 3 STEP METHOD
STEP 3: REFER BACK TO THE PASSAGE
You WILL NOT re-read the entire passage
look only for the area where the answer to
the question can be found
sometimes the questions will give you a
line # to help you out
you answer should match the passage--
not in exact vocabulary but in meaning
(answers are usually a paraphrase of the
answer in the passage)
ACT READING PASSAGE
Prose fiction (1 passage per test)
Nonfiction (3 passages per test, one each
in:)
Social Studies
Natural Sciences
Humanities
Yourapproach should be the same for all
3 nonfiction passages
PROSE FICTION
The prose fiction passage is usually a
story in which characters, fully equipped
with their own motivations and emotions,
interact in revealing ways
for this reason, the passage won’t break
down into an orderly outline with several
key terms and clue words
Pay attention to the story
PROSE FICTION
In the prose fiction What is their state of
passage, almost all mind? Are they angry,
the questions relate to sad, reflective, excited?
the characters What’s really going on?
What’s happening on
your job is to find
the surface? Beneath
answers to the the surface?
following questions:
Most of the fiction
Who are these
passages focus on one
people? What are person or are written
they like? How are from the point of view
they related to each of one of the characters
other?
PROSE FICTION
Figure out who this
main character is and
pay special attention
to what he or she is
like
Read between the
lines to determine
unspoken emotions
and attitudes
Get a good feel for
tone and style of the
whole passage before
going on to the
questions
NATURAL SCIENCE PASSAGE
Know you are more likely to find unfamiliar
vocabulary in Science passages
Don’t panic! The Science passages on
the Reading test require no prior
knowledge.
Any unknown terms are usually defined in
the passage or will have inferable
definitions from the context
Don’t let yourself become overwhelmed
SPECIFIC DETAILS
Specific Details questions ask about things
stated explicitly in the passage
Line reference
Always refer back to the passage
When given a line reference, always read
a few sentences BEFORE and AFTER the
cited lines (context)
NAILING DOWN DETAILS
The challenge with this is finding the
proper place in the passage where the
answer can be found (sometimes you will
be given a line reference)
Then, you have to match up what you see
in the passage with the correct answer,
which will probably be worded differently
(paraphrased)
INFERENCE QUESTIONS
For these types of questions, it is your job to
combine ideas logically to make an inference
This is something that is not stated explicitly
in the passage but that is implied
This type of question has words like suggest,
infer, or imply in the question stem
Common sense is your best tool here
Some will give you a line #
DO NOT make inferences too extreme
(always, never, all the time, etc.)
BIG PICTURE QUESTIONS
Ask yourself, as you
read:
What is the point of
this?
Why is the author
saying this?
If you are stumped,
try doing all the
other questions first
and completing this
one last.
FIND AND PARAPHRASE
Your main job is to
FIND AND PARAPHRASE,
Your task is NOT to
“Comprehend and Remember”
SKIPPING
Answer the EASY questions for each
passage first
Skip the tough ones and come back to
them later
When you return to that question later, try
to identify the THREE WRONG answers
Guess if you have to and don’t let that get
you stressed