ACT Reading Skills Practice

What does it mean to analyze the text structure of a passage?

• To summarize the passage in one's own words

• To identify the order and organization of ideas in the text

• To list all the characters in a story

• To find all the difficult words in the text

Answer explanation

Analyzing the text structure of a passage involves identifying the order and organization of ideas in the text, making it easier to comprehend the overall message.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

When identifying the main idea of a passage, you are looking for:

• The most interesting detail in the text

• The author's opinion on the topic

• The primary point the author is trying to convey

• A summary of all the details in the text

Answer explanation

The main idea of a passage is the primary point the author is trying to convey, not just the most interesting detail or a summary of all the details.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Making inferences while reading means:

• Stating facts found directly in the text

• Guessing what will happen next in the story

• Drawing conclusions based on evidence and reasoning from the text

• Asking questions about the text

Answer explanation

Drawing conclusions based on evidence and reasoning from the text

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.10

CCSS.RI.11-12.10

CCSS.RI.8.10

CCSS.RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

Understanding vocabulary in context requires:

• Knowing the dictionary definition of every word

• Being able to use the word in a sentence

• Using clues in the surrounding text to determine the meaning of a word

• Memorizing the most common words in the English language

Answer explanation

Using clues in the surrounding text to determine the meaning of a word

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Evaluating arguments and claims in a text involves:

• Agreeing with the author's perspective

• Identifying the evidence supporting the argument

• Counting how many arguments the author makes

• Writing a counterargument

Answer explanation

Identifying the evidence supporting the argument is crucial in evaluating arguments and claims in a text.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Comparing and contrasting information in two texts requires the reader to:

• Find topics that only one of the texts talks about

• Summarize both texts separately

• Identify similarities and differences in the content, structure, or viewpoint of the texts

• Choose which text they prefer

Answer explanation

Identify similarities and differences in the content, structure, or viewpoint of the texts

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

A detail that supports the main idea of a passage is:

• An interesting fact that is unrelated to the rest of the text

• A piece of evidence or example that explains or proves the main idea

• The conclusion of the passage

• A minor point that the author mentions in passing

Answer explanation

A detail that supports the main idea of a passage is a piece of evidence or example that explains or proves the main idea.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

When a passage describes a sequence of events, the text structure is most likely:

• Cause and effect

• Compare and contrast

• Chronological

• Problem and solution

Answer explanation

The correct text structure for a sequence of events is chronological, as it follows the order in which the events occurred.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

An inference made from a passage should be:

• An obvious fact stated by the author

• A personal opinion about the topic

• A logical deduction that goes beyond the explicit information given

• A summary of the passage

Answer explanation

The correct answer is a logical deduction that goes beyond the explicit information given, as it involves drawing conclusions based on the information provided in the passage.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

The tone of a passage refers to:

• The main topic of the text

• The author's attitude toward the subject

• The structure of the text

• The intended audience of the text

Answer explanation

The tone of a passage refers to the author's attitude toward the subject, not the main topic, structure, or intended audience of the text.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4