ACT Prose Fiction Paired Passage

In Passage A, the parenthetical information in line 19 and lines 21-23 mainly serves to:

• A. specify how Luc identified certain aspects of a piano's history.

• B. portray Luc as overly judgmental about piano transportation.

• C. describe the types of rules that visitors to Luc's shop were required to follow

• D. indicate some of Luc's firm beliefs about piano care.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

2. Based on the assertion in Passage A that Luc's "attitude about how people treated their pianos seemed to mirror his philosophy of life"(lines 25-26), which of the following statements would most nearly describe Luc's philosophy of life?

• F. It's better to live a full and imperfect life than not participate because something might go wrong

• G. Life is a fragile gift that must be cherished and kept safe at all times

• H. Living well is like playing the piano well: it requires dedication and practice

• J. It's important not to take life's opportunities for granted because they may not come a second time

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

3. As it is used in line 32, the phrase bit into most nearly means:

• A. pinched

• B. ingested

• C. marred

• D. severed

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

4. in the third paragraph of Passage B (lines 61-65), the author most clearly shifts from:

• F. making an argument against musicians selling their instruments to using evidence from his life to support...

• G. introducing musicians he admires to explaining why he hopes people admire him as a musician

• H. examining his own emotions about his violin to explaining why musicians must develop a partnership...

• J. discussing the connection between other musicians and their instruments...

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

5. In Passage B, the statement that Lifschey "was not merely an excellent oboist; he was a great artist" (lines 44-45) can best be described as:

• A. a fact supported by details about Lifschey's career

• B. a fact confirmed by experts quoted in the passage

• C. an opinion that the author attributes to Lifschey's colleagues and students

• D. an opinion that the author asserts but does not explain

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

6. In Passage B, it can most reasonably be inferred that Heifetz's response to the woman who congratulates him is intended to point out that:

• F. the woman hears Heifetz's violin differently than Heifetz does

• G. the woman isn't qualified to judge the quality of Heifetz's violin

• H. Heifetz enjoyed the woman's humorous comment

• J. Heifetz's violin doesn't make sounds by itself

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

7. In Passage B, the author most directly indicates that the violin is sometimes an adversary by stating that it:

• A. lies mute in its case

• B. makes him adjust to its whims

• C. responds with a range of emotions

• D. can't speak with words

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

Compared to Passage A, Passage B is more directly focused on the:

• F. damage a musician can do to an instrument

• G. characteristics of an instrument that gives clues to its history

• H. interdependence between musician and instrument

• J. benefits of making instruments available to young children

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

9. In contrast to the way the pianos are described in Passage A, the passage author's violin in Passage B is described as:

• A. exhibiting unique characteristics

• B. having an active personality of its own

• C. sustaining damage from careless children

• D. being important to daily life

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

10. Which of the following assertions about instruments is most strongly supported by details provided in both Passage A and Passage B?

• F. Familiarity with your instrument is an important part of the joy of playing music.

• G. Instruments should be revered and never treated life furniture

• H. Selling your instrument shows disrespect for the music you have made together

• J. Maintaining proper humidity levels is essential to preserving an instrument

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7