ACT Reading Rules
Coach Washington's number 1 rule concerning the ACT test
Never Leave A Question Unanswered
Every correct ACT Reading answer can be proven by this
Evidence From The Passage
This passage type tells a story and should be approached by tracking characters, conflict, and tone
Prose Fiction
This is the best strategy for Prose Fiction passages
Track Emotions & Change
This is Coach Washington's suggested time to take out to skim or annotate for important information
60 Seconds
Coach Washington's number 1 tip concerning the Reading ACT test
Do Not Waste Time Reading The Entire Passage
This type of answer choice sounds reasonable but is not directly supported by the text
Trap Answer
When reading this passage type, students should focus on the author’s perspective, argument, and purpose
Humanities
This is the best strategy for Social Science
Watch For Cause/Effect
When presented with either a Social Science, Humanities, or Natural Science passage, once you have read the blurb you should find the...
Thesis Statement or Main Idead
This is the number of questions found on the ACT Reading test
40 Questions
This strategy requires students to point to a sentence or phrase that proves their answer
Justification
This passage type often includes data, explanations, or cause-and-effect relationships and should be read for main ideas rather than details
Natural Science
This is the best strategy for Natural Science
Read For Structure
Question that tell you what lines to go to for information will fall under the "Do _____" category.
Do Now
This is the first thing you should do when presented with a passage on the Reading ACT test
Read The "Blurb" First
Enhanced ACT Reading questions often require this skill rather than outside knowledge
Text-Based Reasoning
Passages in this category often discuss systems, trends, or historical events and require attention to relationships and viewpoints
Social Science
This is where the passage type will be located
In the "Blurb"
The "Blurb" is located
Under The Section That Reads Passage I,II,II or IV
This is the amount of time allowed to complete the Reading ACT section
35 Minutes
These are the two categories ACT Reading passages fall under
Fiction or Non-Fiction
This uses storytelling techniques to make abstract concepts of literacy concrete, revealing personal meaning and fostering self-understanding
Literary Narrative
This is the best strategy for Humanities
Identify Thesis Early
The Reading ACT test is considered to be an...
An Open Book Test