NUMBERS’ Ultimate ACT English Section Guide: What Does It Include?

Welcome to NUMBERS’ ACT English overview! Whether you’re just starting your ACT prep or you’re looking to refine your skills, this guide is designed to walk you through everything tested in the ACT English section. By the end of this article, you’ll be well-equipped with the knowledge and strategies needed to conquer this portion of the exam!

✍🏽 ACT English Section Overview

The ACT English section is one of the four main sections of the ACT, and it consists of 75 questions that you need to answer in just 45 minutes. With such a tight time limit, this section might seem daunting at first—but don’t worry! We’re here to set you on the path to success. In this section, you’ll be presented with a series of short essays and passages, each accompanied by a set of multiple-choice questions. These questions will test a wide range of English language skills, from grammar and punctuation to style and tone.

What You Need to Know About the ACT English Section

The ACT English section is all about understanding and applying the rules of Standard English, as well as being able to analyze and improve the effectiveness of a piece of writing. You’ll encounter a mix of questions that require you to edit specific parts of a passage and those that ask you to understand the passage as a whole. Your ability to swiftly and accurately answer these questions will be key to your success.

Question Types in the ACT English Section

There are two main types of questions in the ACT English section:

1. Passage-Wide Questions: These questions require you to understand the big picture of the passage. Instead of focusing on individual sentences or words, you’ll need to step back and consider the overall structure, purpose, and impact of the passage. For example, you might be asked about the effect of a certain change on the entire passage or what a logical addition might be.

2. Specific Underlined Portion Questions: These questions will ask you to edit specific sentences or phrases within the passage. To answer these questions correctly, you’ll need a strong understanding of grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. While these questions primarily focus on the underlined portion, it’s often necessary to consider the surrounding sentences for context.

Skills Assessed in the ACT English Section

The ACT English section tests a broad range of language-related skills. Understanding what these skills are and how they’re tested will help you focus your preparation and improve your performance.

1. Production of Writing (29-32% of Questions)

This category is all about the rhetorical aspects of writing. It includes questions that test your ability to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of a piece of writing. The two main types of questions in this category are:

• Topic Development: These questions focus on the content of the passage. You’ll be asked to identify the purpose of a passage or a specific part of it, evaluate whether the author has effectively achieved that purpose, and determine the relevance of certain information. For example, you might be asked if a particular sentence should be added, deleted, or revised to better support the main idea.

• Organization, Unity, and Cohesion: These questions test your ability to organize ideas logically and ensure that the passage flows smoothly. You might be asked to rearrange sentences or paragraphs, improve the transitions between ideas, or ensure that the introduction and conclusion are strong and relevant. For example, you could be asked which sentence would best conclude a paragraph or where a new sentence should be inserted.

2. Knowledge of Language (15-17% of Questions)

This category tests your understanding of word choice and how it affects the style, tone, and clarity of a passage. Questions in this category require you to choose the best word or phrase based on the context, ensuring that the passage is both precise and concise.

• Word Choice: You’ll be asked to select the most appropriate word or phrase from a set of options, considering the style and tone of the passage. For example, you might be asked to choose between “big,” “large,” “huge,” and “immense,” depending on the context and the level of formality required.

• Conciseness: These questions often test your ability to avoid redundancy and wordiness. You might need to choose the most concise way to express an idea without losing its meaning.

3. Conventions of Standard English (52-55% of Questions)

This is the largest category in the ACT English section, covering the rules of grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. The questions in this category are divided into three main types:

• Sentence Structure and Formation: These questions test your ability to recognize and correct errors in sentence structure, such as run-on sentences, sentence fragments, and misplaced modifiers. You’ll need to ensure that sentences are clear and logically constructed. For example, you might be asked to choose the best way to combine two sentences or to correct a sentence that is awkwardly phrased.

• Punctuation: These questions focus on the proper use of punctuation marks, such as commas, semicolons, and apostrophes. You’ll need to recognize and correct common punctuation errors, such as comma splices or incorrect apostrophe usage. For example, you might be asked to correct the punctuation in a sentence or to determine where a comma is needed.

• Usage: These questions test your knowledge of proper word usage, including subject-verb agreement, verb tenses, and pronoun-antecedent agreement. You’ll need to ensure that words are used correctly and that sentences are grammatically sound. For example, you might be asked to choose the correct verb tense or to identify an error in subject-verb agreement.

🥇 Prepping for Success in the ACT English Section

Preparation is the key to success in the ACT English section. With the right strategies and a solid understanding of the test format, you can significantly improve your performance. Below, we outline some effective strategies to help you prepare for this important section of the ACT.

How to Prepare for the Content

1. Practice with Diverse Passages

In your journey to excel in the ACT English section, diversity is your ally. Engage with a wide range of passage types to enhance your adaptability and understanding of various subjects. Just as an explorer conquers different terrains, you should aim to conquer different ideas and writing styles. This practice will nurture both your intellectual versatility and your confidence in handling different linguistic choices and styles on the test.

When practicing, try to read passages from a variety of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, academic essays, and more. This will help you become familiar with the different types of writing you might encounter on the ACT and improve your ability to adapt to different styles and tones.

2. Polish Your Grammar

The grammar and mechanics of Standard English are the foundation of the ACT English section. You need to be familiar with the rules of grammar, punctuation, and usage to succeed. Practice these rules until you know them like the back of your hand. This will allow you to quickly and accurately answer questions about the underlined portions of the passages.

Consider using grammar workbooks, online resources, and practice tests to reinforce your understanding of these rules. Focus on the areas where you feel least confident, and take the time to review any mistakes you make during practice.

3. Develop Strategic Approaches for Each Question Type

Each type of question in the ACT English section has its own strategy. For example, you might choose to leave main idea questions for after you’ve read the entire passage, but work on the underlined questions as you go. By developing specific tactics for each question type, you’ll become a skilled navigator on the linguistic map of the ACT.

Here are some strategies for different question types:

• Main Idea Questions: Answer these after you’ve read the entire passage, as you’ll need to understand the big picture to answer them accurately.
• Underlined Portion Questions: Address these as you encounter them in the passage. Pay close attention to the context and ensure that your edits maintain the meaning and flow of the passage.

How to Prepare for the Exam

1. Use Official ACT Practice Materials

The ACT provides a wealth of free practice materials, including released tests and sample questions. Make use of these resources! There’s no better way to prepare yourself for the type of material that will show up on the exam than by practicing with official ACT materials.

By using released tests, you’ll become familiar with the format and content of the ACT English section, allowing you to approach the test with confidence. Additionally, these materials will give you a realistic sense of the timing and pacing required to complete the section successfully.

2. Do Timed Practice Tests

One of the biggest challenges of the ACT is not the content, but the limited time you have to complete each section. The ACT English section is no exception. Most of the content on all sections of the ACT, including English, is covered in K-12 education. However, recalling this information under time pressure can be difficult.

To set yourself up for success, practice taking the ACT English section under timed conditions. This will help you get used to the pace of the test and ensure that you can complete all 75 questions within the 45-minute time limit.

3. Review Your Mistakes

Mistakes offer the best opportunity for learning. If you get everything right, you won’t gain any new information—just prove that you already know it. Instead, focus on the questions you got wrong. By truly understanding the concepts behind the correct answers, you’ll be able to improve your performance on future tests.

As you review your mistakes, try to identify any patterns or recurring errors. Are there specific grammar rules that you struggle with? Do you have difficulty with certain types of questions? Once you’ve identified your weaknesses, you can focus your study efforts on those areas.

💡 Tips and Tricks for the ACT English Section

Navigating the ACT English section successfully requires a combination of knowledge, strategy, and attention to detail. Here are some additional tips and tricks to help you maximize your score:

1. Pay Attention to Both Details and the Big Picture

To make the most of your time on the English section, it’s best to work through the underlined/highlighted questions as you go. However, you also need to grasp the passage as a whole to answer the broader questions. Practice with released exams to master the balance between focusing on specific details and understanding the overall context.

2. Keep Style in Mind

The passages in the ACT English section will cover a wide variety of content and disciplines. Keep in mind that grammar conventions, tone, and language usage may vary between passages. For example, a personal letter and a scientific article won’t necessarily follow the same rules. Be flexible in your approach and adjust your expectations based on the passage’s style and tone.

3. Pay Attention to Differences in Answer Choices

Questions covering grammar and mechanics may have very slight differences between answer choices. Read them closely to ensure you select the best one. Look for subtle distinctions in word choice, punctuation, and sentence structure that could make one option more correct than the others.

4. Avoid Extreme Language

Be cautious of answer choices that use extreme language, such as “always,” “never,” or “completely.” Often, these choices are incorrect because they make broad generalizations that are not supported by the passage. Instead, look for answers that are more measured and nuanced.

5. Use the Process of Elimination

If you’re unsure of the correct answer, use the process of elimination to narrow down your choices. Cross out any answers that are clearly incorrect, even if you’re not sure of the right answer yet. This will increase your chances of choosing the correct answer.

6. Don’t Leave Bubbles Blank

There is no penalty for incorrect answers on the ACT, so don’t leave any questions blank. Even if you have to guess, you have a 25% chance of getting the right answer. If you can eliminate even one or two incorrect choices, your odds improve even further.

7. Read Aloud (Mentally)

If you’re unsure about the correctness of a sentence, try reading it aloud in your head. This can help you identify awkward or incorrect phrasing that might not be immediately obvious when reading silently.

8. Prioritize Conciseness and Clarity

When improving sentences, choose options that maintain the original meaning while enhancing clarity and conciseness. The best answer is often the one that expresses the idea in the fewest words without losing any important information.

9. Consider “No Change”

Many questions will have “No Change” as an option. Be sure to truly consider the possibility that the sentence you’re editing is already correct before making a change. If you’re uncertain, it can help to explain your reasoning in your head or in the margins of the exam paper.

🤩 Conclusion: Mastering the ACT English Section

The ACT English section is designed to assess your command of language, grammar, and effective communication. Successfully navigating this section requires a keen eye for detail, an understanding of rhetorical strategies, and the ability to convey ideas clearly and concisely.

By embracing strategies like reading for context, eliminating incorrect answer choices, and refining your grammar and punctuation skills, you can confidently approach the ACT English section. Remember, mastering this section not only enhances your test score but also equips you with essential language skills that will benefit you far beyond the exam.

Good luck with your ACT preparation! With the right mindset, strategies, and consistent practice, you’ll be well on your way to achieving success in the ACT English section and beyond.  NUMBERS wishes you the best.📝🧐