Interpreting Graphs
What type of graph is best suited for showing changes over time?
Line graph.
Which type of ACT Science passage often involves describing experiments and their results?
Data Representation passage.
What is a typical characteristic of "detail" questions on the ACT Science section?
They ask you to locate specific information directly from the passage or a graph.
Before answering any questions, what should you do when you first encounter a passage?
Quickly skim the passage to understand the main idea and locate key data points.
When answering a question that asks for the main idea of a passage, what is your first step?
Read the introductory sentence or paragraph to get the main point.
What does the x-axis typically represent in most ACT Science graphs?
The independent variable.
In which type of passage are hypotheses, methods, and experimental outcomes most commonly presented?
Research Summary passage.
What kind of question asks you to infer information not directly provided but suggested by the data?
Inference or interpretation question.
How can you use the headings and subheadings in a passage to guide your reading and answering strategy?
Use them to organize the information and identify what sections of the passage are relevant to each question.
If a question asks about the effect of a specific variable, where should you look in the passage?
In the section where that variable is discussed or shown in the graph.
If a graph shows a flat line, what does it likely indicate about the relationship between the variables?
No change or a constant relationship between variables.
What type of passage is primarily focused on a cause-and-effect relationship between different scientific phenomena?
Conflicting Viewpoints passage.
Which question type will most likely ask you to compare results from two experiments or data sets?
Comparison question.
What is a good way to handle a passage with very dense information or unfamiliar scientific concepts?
Focus on understanding the key points and relationships rather than trying to understand every detail.
What is a good strategy when you're unsure about a particular answer choice on the ACT Science section?
Eliminate obviously incorrect answers and make an educated guess based on the remaining choices.
In a bar graph, what does the height of the bar represent?
The variables have an inverse relationship; as one increases, the other decreases.
If you see a table with several variables listed, which passage type is most likely to use this data?
Data Representation passage.
What is the main focus of a "conclusion" question?
To assess your ability to understand the information from the passage as a whole.
If a passage includes an experiment or data, how should you approach it?
Focus on the experimental setup, the variables being tested, and the results presented in the tables or graphs.
What does it mean if two answer choices seem equally plausible in an ACT Science question?
Revisit the data and passage to find subtle differences that might favor one answer over the other.
What does it mean if two variables are represented by a negative slope in a graph?
The variables have an inverse relationship; as one increases, the other decreases.
What type of passage is best for practicing understanding experimental setups and drawing conclusions?
Research Summary passage.
What type of question typically asks about the scientific reasoning behind a data trend or experiment?
"Cause and Effect" or "Explanation" question.
If a passage presents conflicting viewpoints, what is the best way to approach answering the questions?
Understand each viewpoint fully, look for evidence supporting or contradicting each, and choose the answer that best reflects the science behind each perspective.
How do you ensure you're answering a "detail" question accurately?
Focus on specific numbers or descriptions mentioned in the passage or graph, and eliminate options that misinterpret the data.