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Conflicting Viewpoints

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What is a Conflicting Viewpoints passage, and how is it built differently to the other formats?

The anatomy of a Conflicting Viewpoints passage on ACT Science: a shared phenomenon followed by two or more competing explanations that differ in their premises, read as arguments rather than data.
A focused answer on the structure of an ACT Science Conflicting Viewpoints passage: a shared phenomenon introduced, then two or more competing explanations (scientists or hypotheses) that disagree because of differing premises, read as arguments and the most reading-heavy format on the section.
11 min answer →

How do you find what two viewpoints agree on and where exactly they part ways?

Agreement and disagreement on ACT Science: identifying the shared facts or premises both viewpoints accept and pinpointing the specific claim on which they diverge.
A focused answer on agreement and disagreement questions in ACT Science Conflicting Viewpoints passages: finding the shared facts or observations both views accept, pinpointing the exact claim on which they diverge, and testing a statement against each view to see who would accept it.
11 min answer →

Conflicting Viewpoints reads slowly, so how do you manage your time and effort on it?

A time strategy for the reading-heavy Conflicting Viewpoints passage on ACT Science: when to attempt it, how to read it once efficiently, and how to split claim-detail questions from evaluation questions.
A focused answer on managing the most text-heavy ACT Science passage: deciding when to attempt Conflicting Viewpoints in your pacing, reading the arguments once with active claim tracking, and handling the quicker claim-detail questions before the slower evaluation questions.
11 min answer →

How do you keep each viewpoint's claim and reasoning straight while you read?

Tracking viewpoints on ACT Science: capturing each view's central claim in a phrase, noting its key reasoning, and answering detail questions by returning to the right view's argument.
A focused answer on tracking viewpoints in ACT Science Conflicting Viewpoints passages: summarising each view's central claim in a short phrase, noting the main reasoning behind it, distinguishing claims from supporting evidence, and returning to the correct view to answer detail questions.
11 min answer →

How do you judge whether a new piece of evidence strengthens or weakens a viewpoint?

Evaluating evidence on ACT Science: deciding whether a new finding supports, weakens, or is neutral to a viewpoint by checking it against that view's specific claim and reasoning.
A focused answer on evidence-evaluation questions in ACT Science Conflicting Viewpoints passages: judging whether a new finding supports, weakens, or is neutral to a view by checking it against the view's specific claim, and recognising evidence that cuts against the rival view.
11 min answer →