ACT Prep Workshop: ENGLISH

1. ACT Prep Workshop: ENGLISH November 27, 2012

2. General ACT Information • Test is all multiple choice • Score from 1-36 • Benchmark score for ENGLISH: 20 • Benchmark score for READING: 18 • English test is 75 questions in 45 minutes • Reading test is 40 questions in 35 minutes

3. Tips for ACT Success • Answer the easiest questions first • Never leave any question blank – you are only scored on the number of questions you get right • Write all over the test booklet! • Use process of elimination • Go with your first instinct

4. English Test: General Info • Common errors featured on the test include: • Sentence fragments • Run-on sentences • Misplaced modifiers • Lack of parallelism • May see some questions on redundancy; if a sentence appears awkward or verbose, it probably is

5. Test Breakdown • Usage/Mechanics: 40 questions • Punctuation: 10 • Basic Grammar and Usage: 12 • Sentence Structure: 18 • Rhetorical Skills: 35 questions • Strategy: 12 • Organization: 11 • Style: 12 TOTAL: 75

6. TIPS BY SECTION: English The English Subject Test (75 Questions, 45 Minutes) • Speed is a huge element in the ACT overall, but particularly in the English section. • With an average of only 36 seconds per question, you must have a good feel for the pace going into the exam (yet another reason practice tests are so important!) • You will be primarily tested on grammar and style. The test contains 5 passages with 15 questions each. • For some students, underlining on this section (in addition to the reading and science sections) can be helpful. • Do not forget the strategy of skipping extremely difficult questions rather than wasting your time. Source: Hughes Tutoring, LLC

7. Video Clips – ACT Help ACT English Section: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaZ37h5HQl4&feature=edu&list=PL9B99BD1005632B6D ACT English Content, Part I: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFAnrkRo9kA&feature=edu&list=PL9B99BD1005632B6D ACT English Content, Part II: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejTiw5gVHIU&feature=edu&list=PL9B99BD1005632B6D ACT Six English Strategies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L64OrvENWwA&feature=edu&list=PL9B99BD1005632B6D

8. Grammar Rule 1: Apostrophes • Use in possessive nouns • Mary’s paper; the dog’s bowl • Don’t use in possessive personal pronouns • The problem is hers (not her’s) • Use them in contractions • “It’s time to go” • “You’re the one” • Its vs. It’s – most common error • It’s been a pleasure to meet you. • The business must report its earnings.

9. Grammar Rule 2: Commas • Separate two independent clauses with coordinating conjunction • The ride was busy, so we had to wait. • My mom bought a new car, and I am not allowed to drive it. • Use a semicolon or a period, NOT a comma, to separate two independent clauses not separated by a coordinating conjunction • That test was so difficult; I feel as though I failed. • He drove us to the game, we got there early enough to get good seats.

10. Commas, cont’d. • Conjunctive adverbs signal the relationship between the point(s) made in the material before their sentence and the material of that sentence. When you begin an independent clause with a conjunctive adverb or when you use it in the middle of a sentence, set it off with a comma. • The jury, consequently, has not come to a decision and must be sequestered. • Moreover, the panel of judges needs to consider the magnitude of talent present in this room.

11. Commas, Cont’d. • Use a comma to separate two independent clauses connected by a coordinating conjunction unless the two independent clauses are short and simple: • Correct: The sunlight helped the flowers to grow, but they require frequent watering in order to stay alive. • Correct: Yours is timely and mine is late.

12. Grammar Rule 3: References • A referent is a word or phrase that refers to something else (an antecedent). Problems with referents can cause confusion and, sometimes, unintended humor. • Problems with references occur primarily: • when sentences have more than one possible antecedent (often caused by placing the referent too far from the intended antecedent) • when the antecedent is only implied

13. Grammar Rule 3: References • To prevent children from sucking their thumbs, some parents soak them in Tabasco sauce. [Do the parents soak the children or the thumbs?] • The corporate officers had failed to disclose the serious conflicts of interest caused by their ownership of several of T&J's suppliers. The possibility of a bankruptcy was a disaster for them. [Was the possibility a disaster for the officers, the conflicts, or the suppliers?]

14. Grammar Rule 4: Agreement The following indefinite pronouns are singular and take a singular verb: • anyone Anyone is welcome. • each Each is an expert. • either Either supports the argument. • everyone Everyone has problems. • neither Neither sings in tune.

15. Grammar Rule 4: Agreement • The singular verb is correct even when the indefinite pronoun is followed by a prepositional phrase with a plural noun: • Each of these peaceful alternatives was [not "were"] ignored. • Either of the twins is [not "are"] available.

16. Grammar Rule 4: Agreement • The following indefinite pronouns are either singular or plural, depending on the nouns or pronouns they refer to: • all • any • none • some • For example: • All singers are permitted . . . . • All of the money is counted . . . . • None of them are satisfied . . . . • None of the royalty was present . . . .

17. Grammar Rule 4: Agreement • Watch for both verb agreement and pronoun agreement when a singular subject is modified by a phrase or clause containing a plural noun: • The confidence of several families was [not were] attained. • Each of the groups agrees [not agree] to resolve the problem peacefully. • Every student who had already taken both courses is [not are] excused from this requirement.

18. Grammar Rule 5: Parallel Structure • Where possible, similar ideas should be expressed in a similar (parallel) structure and grammatical form. • Parallelism makes for easier reading and clearer meanings. • It also improves sentence rhythm and cuts down on verbiage.

19. Grammar Rule 5: Parallel Structure • Non-parallel structure: • Problems occur when the business conceals relevant documents or by deluging the auditors with irrelevant documents. • A parallel structure would be: • Problems occur when the business conceals relevant documents or when they deluge the auditors with irrelevant documents. • Now that the structure is parallel, extra words can go: • Problems occur when the business conceals relevant documents or delugesthe auditors with irrelevant documents.

20. Grammar Rule 5: Parallel Structure • Parallel structure is especially important in a list. • When the new commander arrived at the post, he immediately posted a new list of orders: no leaves were to be granted, and no leniency was to be given. • The teacher gave us our syllabus, handed out the textbook guides, and reviewed the school rules with us.

21. What questions do you have?

22. Sample Questions http://www.actstudent.org/sampletest/english/eng_01.html