Show:
Types of Questions
Test Format
True or False
Passage IV
Practice #1
Passage V
Practice #2
100

This type of question is fairly straightforward and simply requires you to read and interpret the information presented

A. Data Representation

B. Research Summaries 

C. Conflicting Viewpoints

Data Representation

100

How many questions are on ACT Science?

40

100

True/False: Read the whole passage in full and try to absorb as much information as possible.

False. Use locators to determine the answer.

100

In both studies, as the percent by volume of vermicompost increased from 0% through 100%, the average yield:

A. decreased only.

B. increased only.

C. decreased, then increased.

D. increased, then decreased.

D. increased, then decreased

According to Figure 1, as the percent vermicompost increased, the average yield for S. lycopersicum (tomatoes) increased and then decreased.  Figure 2 shows that as the percent vermicompost increased, the average yield for C. annuum (peppers) also increased and then decreased.


100

Which of the following pie charts is most consistent with Scientist 2’s description of the total gas output at HSVs?

            C        

 According to Scientist 2, CO2 and water vapor each account for 45% of the total gas output.  CO accounts for 6%, and the remaining 4% is all other gases combined.

200

This type of question presents a series of different experiments on the same topic. They may ask about the design of the experiment and how a hypothesis is tested, confirmed, or refuted.

A. Data Representation

B. Research Summaries 

C. Conflicting Viewpoints

Research Summary

200

How much time do you have to complete ACT Science?

35 minutes

200

You will probably need a calculator to answer some of the questions in ACT Science (even though you won't have access to one)

False. Any information you need is on the page or in the passage. Use simple math (round, estimate, and approximate).

200

In Study 1, which of the following mixtures was most likely intended to serve as a control for the effect of vermicompost on plant yield?

F. Mixture 1

G. Mixture 2

H. Mixture 4

J. Mixture 5

F             

According to Table 1, Mixture 1 had 0% compost.  This mixture would serve as a control so that the scientists could determine the effect that vermicompost had on the yield.

200

A material that lowers the melting point of rocks is called a flux.  The melting of rocks due to the presence of a flux is called flux melting. Flux melting is a feature of which scientist’s discussion, and based on that scientist’s discussion, what material is acting as the flux?

            A. Scientist 1; iron

            B. Scientist 2; iron

            C. Scientist 1; CO2

            D. Scientist 2; CO2

D         

Scientist 2 states that a high concentration of dissolved CO2 allows mantle rocks to melt at lower temperatures than they normally would.  In this case, CO2 is acting as a flux.

300

These types of questions are typically seen as the easiest on ACT Science

A. Data Representation

B. Research Summaries 

C. Conflicting Viewpoints

Data Representation

300

ACT Science is made up of how many passages? (range)

6-7 passages

300

True/False: You do not need to know much Science knowledge to do well on this test. 90-95 percent of the questions are not based on content knowledge.

True! only 5-10 percent of ACT Science questions require you to know science knowledge that isn't written on the page. (For example, you may need to know what volume is, or the periodic symbol for iron.)

300

Suppose that in Study 1, the average yield had been calculated in kilograms per plant (kg/plant) instead of g/plant.  The average yield for Mixture 5 would have been:

A. 1.45 kg/plant

B. 3.5 kg/plant

C. 14.5 kg/plant

D. 35.0 kg/plant

                              B            

In order to answer this item, the examinee must know how to convert units.  According to Figure 1, in Study 1, the average yield for Mixture 5 was 3,500 g/plant.  This is equal to 3,500 g/plant x 1kg/1000 g = 3.5 kg/plant.

300

Suppose that another scientist claims that most mantle rocks contain water.  Which of the scientists, if either, would be likely to agree with this claim?

            F. Scientist 1 only

            G. Scientist 2 only

            H. Both Scientist 1 and Scientist 2

            J. Neither Scientist 1 nor Scientist 2

 


H         

Scientist 1 claims that the lavas at HSVs retain a lot of water from the mantle, but Scientist 2 claims that the lavas contain much less water than most mantle rocks.  Assuming that not all the water was lost as water vapor, both scientists would most likely agree that the mantle rocks contained some water.

400

DAILY DOUBLE

These types of questions are typically seen as the most difficult in ACT Science

A. Data Representation

B. Research Summaries 

C. Conflicting Viewpoints

Conflicting Viewpoints

400

Name 3 of the 4 categories of Science tested on the ACT.

Life Science/Biology, Physical Science/Chemistry, Physics, Earth/Space Science

400

True/False: If you're having a difficult time getting to all of the passages, you may consider skipping 1 or 2 of them all together.

True. Skipping one or two passages could give you a little extra time to spend on the other passages. Don't forget to still make guesses on skipped questions!

400

Is the statement “Tomato plants require a lower proportion of vermicompost in the potting soil to achieve maximum yield than do pepper plants” consistent with the results of Studies 1 and 2?

A. Yes; in Study 1, the greatest average yield was attained with Mixture 2, whereas in Study 2, the greatest average yield was attained with Mixture 3.

B. Yes; in Study 1, the greatest average yield was attained with Mixture 3, whereas in Study 2, the greatest average yield was attained with Mixture 2.

C. No; in Study 1, the greatest average yield was attained with Mixture 2, whereas in Study 2, the greatest average yield was attained with Mixture 3.

D. No; in Study 1, the greatest average yield was attained with Mixture 3, whereas in Study 2, the greatest average yield was attained with Mixture 2.

A             

According to Figure 1. S.lycopersicum, a tomato plant, had the greatest average yield in Mixture 2, which was 20% vermicompost.  According to Figure 2, C. annuum, a pepper plant, had its greatest average yield in Mixture 3, which is 40% vermicompost.  The statement is consistent with the results of the studies.

400

Basalt is a volcanic rock that contains abundant iron and is less than 10% feldspar by volume.  In contrast, the volcanic rock phonolite is mostly feldspar by volume.  Based on the passage, which of these 2 types of rock would each scientist more likely expect to see at an HSV?

                        Scientist 1      Scientist 2

            A.        basalt              basalt

            B.        basalt              phonolite

            C.        phonolite         basalt

            D.        phonolite         phonolite

B         

According to the passage, Scientist 1 claims that the iron-rich lava and mantle rocks at HSVs are abundant in olivine and pyroxenes.  Because feldspar is not abundant, it is most likely that Scientist 1 would expect basalt to be found at an HSV.  Scientist 2 claims that feldspar is the most abundant mineral.  It is most likely that Scientist 2 would expect phonolite to be found at an HSV.

500

These questions/passages give several competing hypotheses. You will be asked to understand the hypotheses, both on their own and in relation to each other.

A. Data Representation

B. Research Summaries 

C. Conflicting Viewpoints

Conflicting Viewpoints

500

Which question type shows up the MOST on the Science ACT? 

A. Data Representation

B. Research Summaries 

C. Conflicting Viewpoints

Research Summary questions make up 45%-55% of ACT Science test. (about 18-22 questions)

500

True/False: You should find the Conflicting Viewpoints passage FIRST and complete it at the very beginning of the testing time.

False! Conflicting Viewpoints passages and questions are more difficult and can be time consuming. You should skip the Conflicting Viewpoints passage and save it for last so that you have enough time to answer the easier questions.

500

DAILY DOUBLE

Tomatoes and peppers required water and light for the process represented by which of the following expressions?


D          

In order to answer this item, the examinee must know the overall chemical reaction for photosynthesis.  Carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight are used to produce oxygen and glucose.


500

Suppose it were discovered that older HSVs erupt more frequently than younger HSVs.  This discovery would better support the viewpoint of which scientist?

            F. Scientist 1, Scientist 1 claims that eruption frequency decreases over time.

            G. Scientist 1, Scientist 1 claims that eruption frequency increases over time.

            H. Scientist 2, Scientist 2 claims that eruption frequency decreases over time.

            J. Scientist 2, Scientist 2 claims that eruption frequency increases over time.

G         

According to Scientist 1, the frequency of eruptions increases over time, but Scientist 2 claims that the eruption frequency will slow down over time.  The discovery that older HSVs erupt more frequently than younger HSVs would best support the viewpoint of Scientist 1.