ACT English Section Guide: Comprehensive Strategies and Tips
Quick Overview
- 75 questions in 45 minutes (36 seconds per question)
- 5 passages with 15 questions each
- Tests grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical skills
- Scored on a scale of 1-36
- Approximately 23% of your composite ACT score
Understanding the ACT English Section
The ACT English section tests your ability to revise and edit text. You'll be presented with five passages, each accompanied by 15 multiple-choice questions. Some questions refer to underlined portions of the passage, while others ask about a section of the passage or the passage as a whole.
The section can be broken down into two main categories:
1. Usage/Mechanics (55-60% of questions)
- Punctuation (10-15%): Correct use of commas, semicolons, colons, apostrophes, periods, question marks, and exclamation points.
- Grammar and Usage (15-20%): Subject-verb agreement, pronoun agreement, pronoun forms, verb forms, adjective/adverb confusion, and comparative/superlative modifiers.
- Sentence Structure (20-25%): Relationships between clauses, placement of modifiers, parallel structure, and shifts in construction.
2. Rhetorical Skills (40-45% of questions)
- Strategy (15-20%): Purpose of a passage, audience awareness, and effectiveness of writing choices.
- Organization (10-15%): Logical sequence of ideas, introductions, conclusions, and transitions.
- Style (15-20%): Precision and appropriateness of word choice, concision, tone, and maintaining the writer's voice.
Essential Grammar Rules for the ACT English
Subject-Verb Agreement
A singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb.
Incorrect:
The group of students were studying for the exam.
Correct:
The group of students was studying for the exam.
Note: "Group" is singular, so it takes a singular verb, even though "students" is plural.
Pronoun Agreement
Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number, gender, and person.
Incorrect:
Each student must bring their own calculator to the exam.
Correct:
Each student must bring his or her own calculator to the exam.
Note: "Each student" is singular, so it requires a singular pronoun.
Top Strategies for the ACT English Section
1. Read the Entire Sentence
Always read the entire sentence containing an underlined portion. Context is crucial for determining the correct answer. Sometimes, the error isn't in the underlined portion itself but in how it relates to the rest of the sentence.
2. Look for the Three Cs
When in doubt, choose the answer that is:
- Clear: Avoids ambiguity and precisely conveys the intended meaning
- Concise: Uses the fewest words necessary without redundancy
- Complete: Contains all necessary information and grammatical elements
3. Eliminate "NO CHANGE" First
Many students default to "NO CHANGE" when unsure. Instead, try to identify at least one problem with the underlined portion before considering "NO CHANGE" as your answer.
4. Watch for Common Patterns
The ACT repeatedly tests certain concepts. Pay special attention to:
- Comma + FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
- Comma + dependent clause marker (although, because, since, etc.)
- Pronoun-antecedent agreement
- Parallel structure in lists and comparisons
Practice Questions
The following questions are based on this passage:
Question 1:
In the underlined portion, which choice best maintains parallel structure?
NO CHANGE
They often struggle with managing their time effectively, writing compelling essays, and completing financial aid forms.
They often struggle with time management, essay writing, and financial aid form completion.
They often struggle with managing their time effectively, they write compelling essays, and they complete financial aid forms.
Answer: B
The original sentence lacks parallel structure. Option B correctly uses the gerund form "completing" to match "managing" and "writing," creating a properly parallel list.
Additional Resources
ACT Practice Tests
Access full-length practice tests with detailed answer explanations.
ACT Time Management
Learn strategies for managing your time effectively during the ACT.
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