ACT Reading Test 1-10

In Passage A, the parenthetical information in line 19

and lines 21–23 mainly serves to:

• specify how Luc identified certain aspects of a

  piano’s history.

• portray Luc as overly judgmental about piano

  transportation.

• describe the types of rules that visitors to Luc’s

  shop were required to follow.

• indicate some of Luc’s firm beliefs about piano

  care.

Based on the assertion in Passage A that Luc’s “atti-

tude 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?

• It’s better to live a full and imperfect life than not

  participate because something might go wrong.

• Life is a fragile gift that must be cherished and

  kept safe at all times.

• Living well is like playing the piano well; it

  requires dedication and practice.

• It’s important not to take life’s opportunities for

  granted because they may not come a second time.

As it is used in line 32, the phrase bit into most nearly

means:

• pinched.

• ingested.

• marred.

• severed.

In the third paragraph of Passage B (lines 61–65), the

author most clearly shifts from:

• making an argument against musicians selling

  their instruments to using evidence from his life to

  support that argument.

• introducing musicians he admires to explaining

  why he hopes people admire him as a musician.

• examining his own emotions about his violin to

  explaining why musicians must develop a partner-

  ship with their instruments.

• discussing the connection between other musicians

  and their instruments to pondering his own con-

  nection with his violin.

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 fact supported by details about Lifschey’s career.

• a fact confirmed by experts quoted in the passage.

• an opinion that the author attributes to Lifschey’s

  colleagues and students.

• an opinion that the author asserts but does not

  explain.

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:

• the woman hears Heifetz’s violin differently than

  Heifetz does.

• the woman isn’t qualified to judge the quality of

  Heifetz’s violin.

• Heifetz enjoyed the woman’s humorous comment.

• Heifetz’s violin doesn’t make sounds by itself.

In Passage B, the author most directly indicates that

the violin is sometimes an adversary by stating that it:

• lies mute in its case.

• makes him adjust to its whims.

• responds with a range of emotion.

• can’t speak with words.

Compared to Passage A, Passage B is more directly

focused on the:

• damage a musician can do to an instrument.

• characteristics of an instrument that give clues to

  its history.

• interdependence between musician and instrument.

• benefits of making instruments available to young

  children.

In contrast to the way the pianos are described in Pas-

sage A, the passage author’s violin in Passage B is

described as:

• exhibiting unique characteristics.

• having an active personality of its own.

• sustaining damage from careless children.

• being important to daily life.

Which of the following assertions about instruments is

most strongly supported by details provided in both

Passage A and Passage B?

• Familiarity with your instrument is an important

  part of the joy of playing music.

• Instruments should be revered and never treated

  like furniture.

• Selling your instrument shows disrespect for the

  music you have made together.

• Maintaining proper humidity levels is essential to

  preserving an instrument.