Syllabus: English for ACT | English for ACT PDF Download

The ACT consists of 4 tests (English, Math, Reading, and Science) and an optional Writing test (Essay). The duration of the ACT is 3 hours 35 minutes with the essay and 2 hours 55 minutes without the essay. There are two breaks in the test.

Overview

• The initial part of the ACT is the English Test.
• It evaluates your grasp of grammar rules such as usage, punctuation, and sentence structure, along with your comprehension of the passages provided. 
• The questions focus on individual paragraphs or the entire passage, covering details, main ideas, or overarching themes.

Pattern and Types of Questions

This test contains 75 questions to be answered for five passages in 45 minutes, giving you an average of 36 seconds per question. Each question has four multiple-choice answer options.

• The English section of the test contains several essays or passages, each followed by multiple-choice questions. 
• Some questions ask about the entire passage or specific highlighted parts, offering different options for those parts. 
• You need to choose the most appropriate answer based on the passage's context. 
• Some questions also include "NO CHANGE" as an option. 
• This section assesses your ability to revise and edit text, presenting various writing situations in different genres. The passages are selected to evaluate writing and language skills and to relate to students' interests and experiences. 
• Your scores for the English section include an overall score and three category scores based on specific skills. The section's content is divided into different categories, each covering a certain percentage of the section.

Categories in this Section

Production of Writing (29–32%)

• Understanding the purpose and focus of writing pieces.
  • Identifying the goals of different parts of texts.
  • Assessing whether a text achieves its intended objectives.
  • Evaluating the relevance of content in relation to the text's focus.
• Organizing writing effectively.
  • Ensuring logical organization.
  • Creating smooth flow between ideas.
  • Crafting strong introductions and conclusions.

Knowledge of Language (15–17%)

• Demonstrating effective language use.
• Choosing precise and concise words.
• Maintaining consistency in style and tone.

Conventions of Standard English (52–55%)

• Applying rules of standard English grammar, usage, and mechanics.
• Understanding sentence structure and formation.
• Making revisions to improve clarity and coherence.
• Recognizing and correcting punctuation errors.
• Addressing common problems with punctuation.
• Identifying and fixing issues with usage.
• Ensuring correct usage of standard English language in writing.

Tips for English Section

Understanding Writing Style

• Pay attention to how each passage is written.
• Passages cover various topics and are written in different styles.
• Consider the writing style when answering questions.

Examining Underlined Portions

• Carefully look at the underlined or highlighted parts before answering questions.
• Consider elements of writing in each underlined section.
• Some questions may focus on specific writing elements like tone or emphasis.
• Others may ask you to choose the least acceptable alternative.

Questions without Underlined Portions

• Some questions relate to a section or the whole passage without any underlined parts.
• These questions are often marked differently and might appear at the end of the passage.
• Pay attention to the instructions for these questions.

Noting Answer Choice Differences

• Many questions involve multiple aspects of writing.
• Compare each answer choice and identify differences.
• Avoid choosing an answer that corrects one error but introduces another.

Selecting the Best Answer

• When choosing the best alternative for underlined parts:
  • Determine the most appropriate phrasing in standard written English or in response to the question.
  • If the underlined part is best as it is, select "NO CHANGE."
  • If not, choose the best alternative from the given options.
• For questions with specific cues, select the answer that fits the question or rhetorical situation.
• Reread the sentence with your selected answer to ensure it fits well within the passage's context.