Celebrity English | Test-Taking Tips

The English Test section of the ACT contains 75 multiple-choice questions based on 5 passages. This section tests your knowledge of punctuation, grammar, usage, and sentence and paragraph structure. The questions require you to correct errors in sentences, arrange paragraphs in a logical order, and make decisions about style and content. Keep these tips in mind as you take this section of the ACT:

1. Answer the questions as you read the passage. Do not read the entire passage before answering the questions. Read until you encounter a question (underlined text or a marker that refers to a portion of the text), finish reading the sentence, and then answer the question. Some questions may require you to read a whole paragraph in order to formulate your answer, but the only questions that will refer to the entire passage will be at the end of the passage.
2. Consider similarities among answer choices. You may notice that some questions will feature choices that are similar; choices that are similar are generally incorrect. For example, if your choices include "hence," "therefore," and "as a result," none of these synonyms can be correct. Similarly, if you notice that at least one of the choices is a colloquialism, consider whether the rest may be as well; most likely, only one answer will be in standard English.
   
3. Simplify putting paragraphs in order. Many passages will feature a question that will require you to choose the most logical order of paragraph placement. Do not consider each answer as a whole at first. Look at the first paragraph in each choice and consider whether it is a strong introductory paragraph. You may be able to base your answer entirely on the choices among the first paragraphs. If not, look at the last paragraph in each choice and consider whether it has features of a strong conclusion. If you are unable to determine your answer at this point, look at the middle paragraphs of each choice and decide which sequence is the most logical.
4. Do not dwell on long questions. You will have 45 minutes to read 5 passages and answer 75 questions. Some questions will require more time to answer than others. These time-intensive questions are often long and may not be straightforward; instead of asking you to correct a simple error, they may require you to consider the effectiveness of the passage or ways to improve the passage. Quickly scan these questions and their associated answers, and if you cannot come to an immediate decision, circle the question and move on to the next one. Return to the circled questions when you have finished the rest of the section.
5. Do not leave any questions unanswered. You will not be penalized for incorrect answers. When you notice that there are only a few minutes left for this section, mark your answer sheet with random guesses. Return to any questions you may have skipped and fill in answers for these as well.
6. Trust your instincts! If you are quite sure that an answer is correct but you think it must be wrong because it seems too easy, don’t change your answer. You are smart and some questions are easy!