Types of Questions on the Exam
There are many different forms of the ACT Reading Skills Test, but all forms share common traits. In fact, most reading skills tests use the same types of questions--and knowing how to identify those types can help open the door to success.
Below are the most common types of questions found on the ACT Reading Skills test, as well as some tips on how to answer them correctly.
The Main Idea Question
The Main Idea Question asks the reader to identify the unifying thesis of the passage. In more understandable language, the reader is asked to identify the "feel" or overall idea of the passage. Almost every time, several answer choices reflect ideas that are either too broad or too narrow.
For example, if a passage compares three types of birds and only one type is mentioned in an answer choice, that choice is most likely incorrect because it is too narrow. It doesn't encompass the feel or idea that the entire passage expresses.
Definition: The main idea asks for the unifying thesis of the passage--what the entire passage is about.
Be careful of: Answer choices that are too broad (they only convey part of the idea) or too narrow (they say more than the passage actually does); answer choices that try to confuse you by mentioning random bits of information from the passage that only support (or have nothing to do with!) the main idea.
The Vocabulary-in-Context Question
The Vocabulary-in-Context Question asks the reader for the meaning of a word as used specifically in the passage. And that's exactly what "in context" means--in the passage.
Take, for instance, the word pedestrian, which you may know means "a person traveling by foot." Suppose, however, the word is used in the passage as follows:
"His speech sounded pedestrian and dull."
A Vocabulary-in-Context question will always ask you to define the word as used in a specific line. Thus, while you might be inclined to select the answer choice closest to "a person traveling by foot," you'd be wrong. Look more closely--for one thing, in this case the word is used as an adjective. (A person walking is a noun--that definition does not match the way the word is used!)
You can deduce by the presence of the word "dull" in the sentence above that "pedestrian" in this case means something similar--such as lackluster, unoriginal, or boring.
Definition: The Vocabulary-in-Context question asks you to pinpoint the meaning of a word as used in the passage.
Be careful of: Answer choices that are too obvious or commonly known.
The Point-Blank Question
The Point-Blank Question may be the easiest question to answer, but it can also be the most misleading. This type of question asks for factual information contained in the passage--perhaps a definition or statistic. But with so many types of difficult questions on the test, students often feel that the most obvious answer is the wrong one. This is where reading confidently comes into play. Don't waste time back-tracking, but always make sure you can pinpoint evidence in the passage that affirms up your answer!
Definition: The Point-Blank Question asks you to recall a fact stated in the passage.
Be careful of: Thinking the question "seems too easy"; not checking your final answer with the information in the passage.
Grouping Questions
These questions usually offer a list of three numbered statements, in this form:
- Statement 1.
- Statement 2.
- Statement 3.
The test item will then ask you to group the statements according to a certain criterion--which are false, for example. Your job, then, is do do exactly that: group the numbered choices appropriately, then choose the lettered answer choice that matches your grouping. Students often have trouble with these questions for two reasons: 1) They're not used to choosing more than one "answer" or "option" and 2) the extra step of grouping can seem time-consuming and distracting.
Once again, reading confidently is the key to success! A little logic also helps. For instance, let's say you are given statements I, II, and II. The questions asks which of the three are false. You already know that Statement II is true; therefore all the lettered answer choices that include Statement II are wrong.
Definition: Grouping questions ask you to identify which of the provided statements match a given criterion or standard.
Be careful of: Feeling rushed, misreading the original question, misreading the listed statements.
Inferences
Inferences will ask you to make a conclusion based on evidence in the passage. That is, they ask you to think a step beyond the information contained in the reading. Oftentimes, inference questions actually contain the word inference, but you can spot them by locating synonymous words and phrases--like "it can be concluded..." or "one can deduce..."
When dealing with an inference, beware of answers that seem too easy! If the question asks you to draw a conclusion on your own and then provides you with an answer choice that re-states information from the passage, it's wrong! Remember that an inference question is designed to test your reasoning abilities. Even if the answer itself isn't contained in the passage, the evidence that supports it is! Think confidently!
Definition: An inference asks you to take information from the passage and draw a conclusion from it.
Be careful of: Answer choices that are already stated in the passage, answer choices that don't seem to make sense, making guesses without finding sufficient evidence in the passage.
Written by R. Bellinger for the Basic Skills Learning Center, Summer 2002.
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