目 录
Preface xi
How This Book is Arranged xii
Before You Begin xii
Part One: Getting Acquainted with the ACT Test 1
Chapter 1: About the ACT 3
Description of the Full ACT Test 4
English Test 4
Mathematics Test 6
Reading Test 14
Science Test 17
Writing Test (Optional) 19
The Fifth Test 21
Using a Calculator 22
Taking the Test 23
Summary 24
Chapter 2: Preparation, Skills, and Strategies 25
Mental Preparation 26
Identify Strengths and Address Areas of Improvement 26
Develop a Positive Mental Attitude 27
Keep the Test in Perspective 27
General Test-Taking Strategies and Skills 27
Remain Calm 27
Pace Yourself 28
Know the Directions Ahead of Time 29
Read Carefully and Thoroughly 29
Choose Strategies for Answering Easier and More Difficult Questions 30
Use Logic on More Difficult Questions 30
Choose a Strategy for Guessing on Multiple-Choice Questions 30
Choose a Strategy for Changing Answers 31
Write Notes in Your Test Booklet 31
Mark Your Answers Carefully 31
Plan to Check Your Answers 32
Learn Strategies for Specific Tests 32
Summary 32
Part Two: Taking and Evaluating Your First Practice Test 35
Chapter 3: Taking and Scoring Your First ACT Practice Test 37
Simulating Testing Conditions 37
Scoring Your Practice Test 101
Scoring Your Multiple-Choice Practice Tests 102
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test Essay 108
Reviewing Explanatory Answers 113
Chapter 4: Identifying Areas for Improvement 184
Reviewing Your Overall Performance 185
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the English Test 186
Test-Taking Errors 186
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Mathematics Test 188
Math Subject Areas 188
Test-Taking Errors 188
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Reading Test 189
Types of Reading Passages 190
Reading Skills Tested 190
Test-Taking Errors 191
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Science Test 192
Science Subject Areas 192
Types of Science Questions 193
Test-Taking Errors 193
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Writing Test 194
Writing Skills Tested 194
Writing Strategy or Process Errors 196
Part Three: Improving Your Score 197
Chapter 5: Improving Your English Score 199
Content of the ACT English Test 199
Types of Questions on the ACT English Test 200
Strategies for Taking the ACT English Test 209
Chapter 6: Improving Your Math Score 225
Content of the ACT Mathematics Test 226
Preparing for Higher Math 226
Integrating Essential Skills 226
Modeling 227
Types of Questions on the ACT Mathematics Test 227
Basic Math Problems 227
Basic Math Problems in Settings 231
Very Challenging Problems 235
Question Sets 242
Strategies for Taking the ACT Mathematics Test 247
Pace Yourself 247
Answer All Questions 247
Answer All the Easy Questions First, Then Go Back to Answer the Hard Ones 248
Read Each Problem Carefully 248
Look for Information in the Answer Choices 248
Use Illustrations Wisely and Whenever You Can 249
Use Your Calculator Wisely 249
Think! 249
Show Your Work 250
Check Your Answers 250
Chapter 7: Improving Your Reading Score 251
Content of the ACT Reading Test 251
Key Ideas and Details 252
Craft and Structure 252
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas 252
Types of Questions on the ACT Reading Test 253
Representative ACT Reading Test Questions 253
Strategies for Taking the ACT Reading Test 262
Pace Yourself 262
Use the Time Allotted 262
Think of an Overall Strategy That Works for You 263
Keep the Passage as a Whole in Mind 263
Find a Strategy for Approaching Each Question 263
Reading Strategies Summary 264
Chapter 8: Improving Your Science Score 272
Content of the ACT Science Test 272
Format of the ACT Science Test 273
Data Representation Format 274
Discussion of Sample Passage I (Data Representation) 276
Research Summaries Format 279
Discussion of Sample Passage II (Research Summaries) 281
Conflicting Viewpoints Format 283
Discussion of Sample Passage III (Conflicting Viewpoints) 285
Strategies for Taking the ACT Science Test 288
Develop a Problem-Solving Method 288
Take Notes 289
Pace Yourself 289
Practice Interpreting Graphs, Tables, and Diagrams 289
Make the Most of the Information in Graphs 290
Make the Most of the Information in Tables 292
Develop an Understanding of Scientific Investigations 293
Carefully Analyze Conflicting Viewpoints 293
Chapter 9: Improving Your Score on the Optional Writing Test 294
Content of the ACT Writing Test 295
How Your Essay Will Be Scored 295
Sample Prompt and Essays 295
Sample ACT Writing Test Prompt 296
Planning Your Essay 298
Sample Essay Responses 299
Strategies for Taking the ACT Writing Test 322
Prewrite 322
Write 322
Review Your Essay 323
Practice 323
Part Four: Taking Additional Practice Tests 325
Chapter 10: Taking Additional Practice Tests 327
Practice Test 2 333
Explanatory Answers 391
Practice Test 3 463
Explanatory Answers 521
Practice Test 4 595
Explanatory Answers 653
Practice Test 5 743
Explanatory Answers 801
Practice Test 6 871
Explanatory Answers 929
Chapter 11: Scoring the Additional Practice Tests 999
Scoring Your Practice Tests 1000
Scoring Practice Test 2 1001
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 1001
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 2 Essay 1007
Scoring Practice Test 3 1009
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 1009
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 3 Essay 1015
Scoring Practice Test 4 1017
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 1017
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 4 Essay 1023
Scoring Practice Test 5 1025
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 1025
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 5 Essay 1031
Scoring Practice Test 6 1033
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 1033
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 6 Essay 1039
Chapter 12: Interpreting Your ACT Test Scores and Ranks 1041
Understanding Your ACT Test Results 1043
How ACT Scores Your Multiple-Choice Tests 1043
How ACT Scores Your Writing Test 1043
Recognizing That Test Scores Are Estimates of Educational Achievement 1043
Using Ranks to Interpret Your Scores 1044
Comparing Your Test Scores to Each Other 1044
Comparing Your Scores and Ranks to Your High School Grades 1044
Comparing Your Scores to Those of Enrolled First-Year College Students 1044
Using ACT College and Career Readiness Standards to Help You Understand Your ACT Scores 1045
Planning Your Education and Career 1046
Seeking Additional Information and Guidance 1046
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards—English 1047
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards--Mathematics 1054
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards—Reading 1063
Text Complexity Rubric—Reading 1070
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards—Science 1077
Part Five: Moving Forward to Test Day 1085
Chapter 13: Registering, Planning, and Packing for Test Day 1087
National Testing Program versus State and District Testing 1088
Registering for the ACT 1088
Selecting a National Testing Date and Location 1088
Selecting a Test Option 1090
Registering 1090
Registering Under Special Circumstances 1091
Planning and Packing for Test Day 1091
Getting to the Test Center 1091
Dressing for Test Day 1092
Packing for Test Day: What to Bring 1092
Obtaining Additional Test Details 1093
At the Test Center 1093
Checking In 1093
Following the Rules 1094
Communicating with the Testing Staff 1095
Maintaining Your Composure and Energy 1096
Voiding Your Answer Documents on Test Da y 1097
Testing More Than Once 1097