Introduction to the Reading Comprehension Section of the ACT Exam

In this course we will look at all of the following strategies, so that you get the highest number of questions correct.

I – Strategy: TIME is an issue, perhaps the only time on the test where this is so. 8 to 8.5 minutes for EACH of the four passages, reading the passage and 10 questions.

Types of strategies:

1) Read the questions first, and answer some without reading the passage. Go to the specific types of questions below, and answer them without reading the passage. There will be anywhere from 3 – 7 of these every time.

· Questions with line numbers.

· Questions with proper names, people, labels, countries.

· Specific facts and numbers (%’s, ‘6 million years ago…) in the questions and answers.

· Vocabulary words in context.

There is a good possibility that these questions can be answered without reading the passage first – the questions direct you to the place to look.

2) Read the Passage first, then answer the questions.

· Do the passages you like the most / hate the least -> There is a rationale for this.

· Read quickly and focus on paragraphs and organization. What are the facts? Is there a tone or direction switch?

· Underline only 3 things: a) 1st sentence of the paragraphs. b) last sentence of the paragraphs. c) ‘Relevant Facts (this is ACT language).

3) Some combination of the above – a mix of strategies.

There will be questions not answered directly by the passage – especially in the prose fiction and humanities passages, which are more philosophical.