ACT Reading

Basics

● Four passages o prose fiction, social science, humanities, and natural

science● 40 questions in 35 minutes

o each passage has 10 MC questions● No outside knowledge is tested, all info to

answer questions is included in the passage given

Types of Questions

● Main Concept● Fact● Inference● Point of View ● Vocabulary in Context

Main Concept

● Asks about facts related to entire passage● Usually phrased as...

o The main idea of the passage is…o Which of the following quotations best expresses the

main pointo The primary purpose of this passage is…

● Read the entire passage before answering these

Fact

● Asks about significant details from the passage

● Often phrased as…o According to the author…o The author compares…o The author mentions which of the following?

● Usually straightforward

Inference

● Asks about what can be logically inferred from the passages

● Requires you to draw a conclusion● Often phrased as…

o The passage implies that…o The author suggests that…

● Pay attention to clues!

Point of View

● Asks mainly about the tone and mood of a passage

● Requires you to pay attention to HOW something is said

● Often phrased as…o The author’s attitude __ is…o Which of the following best describes the author’s

reaction?

Vocabulary in Context

● Asks about the definitions of certain words in the context of the passage

● Predict a word or phrase to replace the word in question and then find an answer choice that matches your prediction

● Typically straightforward

Common Mistakes

● Taking too long on one passage● Reading the entire passage too slowly● Spending too much time on one question

Tips

● Read the questions first● Mark sections in the passage as you read