ACT English: Test Prep Study Guide

Introduction

• The ACT English section tests grammar and rhetoric style.
• You act as the proofreader and editor.
• Taking a diagnostic test is crucial before in-depth study.
• Websites for practice: crackact.com, official ACT book.
• Note incorrect or uncertain questions to identify weaknesses.
• Practice regularly to improve.

Scoring Your English Practice Test

• Maximum score: 36.
• 75 questions, 45 minutes.
• 5 passages, 15 questions each.

Main Concepts

• Grammar
  • Punctuation Rules
  • Subject/Verb Agreement
  • Verb Tense and Conjugation
  • Pronouns
  • Modifiers
• Rhetoric Skills
  • Diction
  • Transitions
  • Relevance
  • Sentence/Paragraph Order
  • Concision
  • Author's Intent

Grammar Rules

Punctuation

• Apostrophes
  • Plural and possessive nouns.
  • Contractions with verbs.
  • Misused forms like "Its" vs. "It's".
• Commas
  • Sentence fragments and joining sentences.
  • Avoiding comma splices.
  • Non-essential vs. essential clauses.
• Colons & Dashes
  • Used for lists and non-essential clauses.

Subject-Verb Agreement & Verb Tense

• Agreement based on number (singular/plural).
• Verb tense indicates timing: Present, Past, Perfect.
• Avoid irregular verbs confusion.

Pronouns

• Must agree in number with antecedents.
• Avoid pronoun ambiguity and incorrect cases.

Modifiers

• Dangling Modifiers: Must immediately follow the subject they modify.
• Misplaced Modifiers: Should be placed near the word they modify.

Rhetorical Skills

Diction

• Word choice and idioms should fit the context and formality level.

Transitions

• Connect ideas logically.
• Types: Contradictory, Continuation, Cause and Effect.

Relevance

• Determine if information should be added, revised, or deleted.
• Focus on context and author's intent.

Concision

• Eliminate redundancy and choose concise wording.

Sentence/Paragraph Order

• Check logical flow and coherence.

Author's Intent

• Understand main idea and author's goal.
• Use title and introduction for clues.

Additional Tips

• Parallel Structure: Maintain the same grammatical pattern.
• Avoid passive voice.
• Understand and apply grammatical rules consistently to improve test performance.