← Reading syllabus

United StatesReading

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do you identify the central claim of an argument on the ACT and the reasons and evidence that support it?

Analyzing arguments and claims: identifying the central claim (thesis) of an argumentative passage, the reasons that support it, and the evidence offered for each reason, and distinguishing the main claim from supporting points and counterclaims.
How to analyze an argument on the ACT: identify the central claim, the reasons that support it, and the evidence for each reason, and tell the main claim apart from supporting points and counterclaims.
11 min answer →

How do you compare two passages on the ACT, finding where they agree and disagree and how one author would respond to the other?

Comparing two passages: reading a pair of passages on a related topic for their shared subject and differing claims, tone, or emphasis, answering questions about each and about the relationship, and inferring how one author would respond to the other.
How to compare two ACT passages on a related topic: read for the shared subject and the differences in claim, tone, or emphasis, keep each author's view straight, and infer how one author would respond to the other.
11 min answer →

How do you judge whether the evidence and reasoning in an ACT passage actually support its claim, and find the line that backs a given point?

Evaluating evidence and reasoning: judging how well the evidence supports a claim, identifying which detail or line backs a particular point, recognizing when support is strong or weak, and spotting reasoning that does not follow from the evidence given.
How to judge evidence and reasoning on the ACT: assess how well evidence supports a claim, find the line that backs a point, recognize strong versus weak support, and spot reasoning that does not follow from the evidence.
11 min answer →

How do you tell a statement of fact from a statement of opinion on the ACT, and why does the distinction matter for judging a passage?

Fact versus opinion: distinguishing a verifiable statement of fact from a statement of opinion, judgement, or interpretation, recognizing the signal language of each, and using the distinction to weigh a passage's claims and evidence.
How to tell fact from opinion on the ACT: distinguish a verifiable statement from a judgement or interpretation, recognize the signal language of each, and use the distinction to weigh a passage's claims and evidence.
10 min answer →