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Succeed on the English section of the ACT with the only official guide created by the test makers themselves The Official ACT English Guide, 3rd Edition delivers expert-designed preparation directly from the people who wrote the test itself. This comprehensive guide walks students through the grammar, word usage, rhetorical skills, and test-taking strategy they'll need to manage test anxiety and perform at their best on exam day. This edition reflects the latest updates to the ACT English section format and question types. The book is a detailed roadmap to the test combining concept-based instruction with extensive practice opportunities, offering both foundational and advanced coverage of English mechanics and rhetoric. Its systematic approach helps you understand not just what to study, but how to approach each question type so you can complete them quickly and efficiently when you're under time pressure. The Official ACT English Guide also provides access to an online question pool tailored to individual learning needs, while detailed answer explanations reinforce understanding and identify knowledge gaps that require your attention before test day. You'll find:

• Hundreds of official ACT English questions drawn from actual previous test administrations
• Time-saving strategies and shortcuts designed to maximize efficiency during the timed test
• Complete writing section coverage with scoring rubrics and sample essays at multiple performance levels
• Comprehensive glossary of grammar terminology for quick reference and concept reinforcement
• Systematic approach that builds understanding progressively from basic to advanced topics Perfect for all high school students preparing for college admissions, pursuing merit scholarships, or aiming to stand out in competitive applicant pools, The Official ACT English Guide is an ideal resource to help you build the skills and confidence you'll need to succeed on the ACT.

Inhalt

Introduction ix Chapter 1 An Overview of the ACT English and Writing Tests 1

The Structure of the English Test 1

ACT Test Formats: Paper and Online 3

Content of the ACT English Test 4

Conventions of Standard English 4

Production of Writing 4

Knowledge of Language 5

Content of the ACT Writing Test 6

How to Use This Guide 6

Chapter 2 Taking the English Test 7

Approaching the Questions 7

Checking Your Answers 8

Types of Questions 8

Questions Are Multifaceted 9

Sentences in the Context of Paragraphs 9

Adding, Deleting, or Moving Information 10

Moving Information 20

Chapter 3 Conventions of Standard English: Sentence Structure, Formation, and Usage 25

Sentence Structure 26

Verbs and Verb Phrases 26

Indefinite Pronouns 28

Relative Clauses 29

Using the Relative Pronoun "Which" 30

Which versus That 30

Chapter 4 Conventions of Standard English Concepts and Sample Questions: Sentence Structure and Usage 33

Parallel Structure 34

Correlative Conjunctions 36

Sentence Fragments 37

Being 40

Run-on Sentences 41

Run-on Sentence: Fused Sentence 41

Run-on Sentence: Comma Splice 42

Run-on Sentence: Coordinating Conjunction without a Comma 43

Strategy: Watch Out for Conjunctive Adverbs ("Transitions") 44

Modifiers 45

Participial Phrases 45

Misplaced Modifiers 46

Subject-Verb Agreement 49

Plural Indefinite Pronouns 50

Indefinite Pronouns That Can Be Singular or Plural 50

Strategy: Which One Is Different? 50

Pronouns and Antecedents 52

Who versus Whom 54

Possessive Pronouns 57

Frequently Confused Words 58

Chapter 5 Conventions of Standard English and Sample Questions: Punctuation 61

Commas 62

Commas with Appositives 63

Commas with Items in a Series 67

The Oxford Comma 68

Commas with Prepositions 68

Within Sentence Breaks 72

Dashes 72

Colons 74

Semicolons 76

Apostrophes and Possession 77

Chapter 6 Production of Writing 83

Organization, Unity, and Cohesion 83

Transitions between Sentences 83

Transitions within or between Paragraphs 90

Conclusion Questions 98

Paragraph Composition 102

Topic Development 107

Relevance 107

Purpose 109

Chapter 7 Knowledge of Language 119

Concision 119

Wordiness and Redundancy 119

Precision 122

Word Choice 122

Logical Connectors 124

Style 126

Consistency in Style and Tone 126

Effective and Appropriate Stylistic Effects 127

Chapter 8 An Overview of the ACT Writing Test 129

Subject Matter 131

Scoring 132

The Scoring Rubric 132

Chapter 9 The Setup of the Writing Test 135

Introductory Paragraph in the Prompt 137

Perspectives in the Prompt 137

Essay Task Box 138

Planning Page 138

Directions 141

Chapter 10 The Essay 147

Organization 147

The Introduction 147

The Draw 148

The Thesis Statement 149

The Body Paragraphs 149

The Conclusion 150

Clear Transitions 150

Addressing the Counterargument 151

Knowing What Is Expected for the Rubric Categories 152

Ideas and Analysis 152

Development and Support 153

Organization 153

Language Use and Conventions 154

Chapter 11 Preparing to Write Your Essay 155

Purpose and Point of View 156

Personal Pronouns 156

Addressing Perspectives 156

Audience, Tone, and Clarity 156

Prewriting 158

Vocational Education 158

Planning Your Essay 159

Outlining 160

Anecdotal Support 162

Timing During the Actual Test 163

Revising 164

Basic Strategies for Improving Your Writing 164

Revising Your Practice Essays 165

Chapter 12 Strengthen Your Essay with Vocabulary, Writing Mechanics, and Other Strategies 167

Vocabulary 168

Varied Sentence Structures and Punctuation 168

Rhetorical Questions 168

Avoiding Simplistic Thinking 168

Brainstorming about Your Values 169

Building Your Fund of Knowledge 170

Avoid What You Don't Know 171

Chapter 13 Sample Prompts and Essays with Analysis 173

Writing Test: Innovation 174

Writing Test: Students and Sleep 185

Chapter 14 Practice Questions 205

Chapter 15 Answers and Explanations 255

Scoring Key-Practice Test 1-Answer Key 256

Explanatory Answers 257

Scoring Key-Practice Test 2-Answer Key 275

Explanatory Answers 276

Scoring Key-Practice Test 3-Answer Key 293

Explanatory Answers 294

Scoring Key-Practice Test 4-Answer Key 311

Explanatory Answers 322

Appendix: English Test Glossary 329