Reading Success on

the ACT

Ene-Kaja Chippendale, Ph.D.

Focus on Learning Center, Inc.
12-15
 Pacing: using time
well
(page 92 in Workbook)
The Reading test has 4 passages and 40
questions (35 minutes). The passages appear in
the same order on all tests. Students have 8
minutes per passage to read and answer all of the
questions. Students have NO time to waste.

Prose Fiction (Literary Narrative)

Social Sciences There are 10

Humanities questions for
Natural Science each passage
 How to set a goal score
If you want to earn a

21 Must answer 22/40 correctly

Read 2 passages, guess on 2
This gives you 16 minutes per passage

26 Must answer 27-28/40 correctly

Read 3 passages, guess on 1
This gives you 10-11 minutes per passage

31 Must answer 35/40 correct

Read 4 passages, leave most difficult till last.
This gives you 8 minutes per passage.
 Strategies for reading
Preview the test quickly
and pick one or two
passages to omit or, if your
goal score is over 26,
leave until last.

Never
automatically start with the first passage!
Math and science students start with
Passage IV (question #31). It is usually
the most factual and direct text.

By omitting one passage, you will have

11 minutes for the remaining three
passages and you will feel less rushed. By
omitting two passages, you will have 16
minutes left per passage.

Always answer every question!

Tip for guessing on the ACT!
On the omitted passage(s),
answer all 10 questions using the
same letter space.

Always answer every question!

 Preview

Skim the questions first, circling key words

like EXCEPT and NOT.

Circle names and key words.

(Do NOT read the 4 answer choices.)

Practice until you can complete the preview
in 45 60 seconds.
 Reading Strategies

Preview the test and look

for passages with the
shortest questions first.
Always work to YOUR
strengths.
 Preview the questions in each passage and find the passage with
shorter questions/answers. Do this passage first.
If they all seem the same, go with your strengths;
choose your best subject.
14. Which of the following most accurately states the
main idea of the fifth paragraph (lines 57-77)? Takes lots of time
F. Studies conducted in the 1980s that established
a connection between customer loyalty and employee to read
loyalty have since been challenged by investors
G. Company profitability is doomed as long as
corporate policies are conducive to a superficial
treatment of customers.
H. Company success is linked to practices that Takes less
acknowledge the complex relationships among
customers, employees, and investors.
J. As a result of the complexity of the loyalty issue in
time
business, an increasing number of companies are
hiring consultants to devise profit strategies.
to read
5. It is implied in the eighth paragraph (lines 39-59) that Lil applies Gordons
theories about peoples appearances in spite of her:

A. conscience.
B. children.
C. parents.
D. education.
 BIG TIP!
Mark all line references in the passage
before you begin reading

You wont have to keep switching back and

forth between the text and the question to
find the answers

This is a HUGE timesaver.

 If you have direct line reference questions

#29. The author uses the term architectural

wonders (line 12) to describe:
mark #29 by line 12 in the text.

Mark all line references so you know before

you start reading where you will find some
answers.
One ACT test gives direct line references for
7 of the 10 questions!
14. The author indicates that the common factor in the events
and periods listed in lines 50 - 54 is that they:

Draw a reference line by the paragraph line numbers

addressed in the question.
Write the number of the question by the reference
line.
 14

12

15
 On the Social Science, Humanities, and Science texts pay
close attention to the FIRST and LAST sentence in each paragraph.

Circle contrast words such as however, therefore, and

but, and contrast phrases such as in spite of, on the
other hand, nevertheless, even though
NEVER ignore these words/phrases because
they signal a shift in meaning from the first
part of the sentence/paragraph/passage. (PAGE 95 in Workbook)

Eleanor Roosevelt (ER) is the most controversial First Lady in United States
history. Her journey to greatness, her voyage out beyond the confines of good
wife and devoted mother, involved determination and amazing courage. Franklin
Delano Roosevelt (FDR) admired his wife, appreciated her strengths, and
depended on her integrity.
However, ER and FDR had different priorities, occasionally competing
goals, and often disagreed. In the White House they ran two distinct and separate
courts. (ACT 61C)
 CROSS OFF incorrect answer choices as
you eliminate them.
You dont want to waste time re-reading them.

29. According to the passage, the piano was better

suited than the harpsichord to:

F. solo performances.
G. drawing room concerts.
H. delicate cabinetry.
J. church music
 BIG TIP!
Circle the correct answers in your test
booklet and transfer them to the answer
sheet in groups of 10 (passage by
passage).
 EXAMPLE
Circle the answers in the test booklet and transfer
them to the answer sheet in groups of 10
(in other words, passage by passage).

Passage II