What are the ACT Reading passage types?

Each one consists of around 800 words each. Always expect them in this order: Prose Fiction, Social Science, Humanities, Natural Science.

What should I expect with Prose Fiction material?

Excerpts from novels or short stories is what you'll be reading.

What are some of the topics tested on in the Social Science passages?

Anthropology, Archaeology, Biography, Business, Economics, Education, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology.

What are some possible topics in the Humanities readings?

Architecture, Art, Dance, Ethics, Film, Language, Literary Criticism, Music, Philosophy, Radio, Television, Theater.

What topics are tested in the Natural Science passages?

Anatomy, Astronomy, Biology, Botany, Chemistry, Ecology, Geology, Medicine, Meteorology, Microbiology, Natural History, Physiology, Physics, Technology, Zoology.

ACT Reading Passage Types | What To Expect

Be ready for the ACT Reading section by knowing the kinds of things you’ll be reading. Here are the ACT Reading passage types to expect on test day.

When approaching the ACT Reading section, there are a number of helpful test hacks that will help you finish faster and accurately when practiced.

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4 ACT Reading Passage Types

Here are the four ACT reading passages types.

Each one consists of around 800 words each. Always expect them in this order:

Prose Fiction
Social Science
Humanities
Natural Science

After each corresponding passage, you’ll then have to answer 10 questions testing what was directly stated, as well as meanings implied within the text.

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ACT Reading Passage Types In A Nutshell


ACT Reading Passage Types	Format/Topics	What To Expect
Prose Fiction	Excerpts from novels or short stories Passages: contemporary in nature emphasize diversity emphasize family relationships	Descriptions involving the atmosphere, setting, and character relationships taking precedent over facts Expect questions asking you to identify implied meanings vs direct statements.
Social Science	Topics To Expect: Anthropology Archaeology Biography Business Economics Education Geography History Political Science Psychology Sociology	A clear organization with topic sentences connected by transitions to develop the main idea The author may present a specific point of view or deliver facts in a neutral tone
Humanities	Excerpts from memoirs or personal essays Topics To Expect: Architecture Art Dance Ethics Film Language Literary Criticism Music Philosophy Radio Television Theater	Looser, organic narrative development Expect a more personal and emotional tone
Natural Science	Topics To Expect: Anatomy Astronomy Biology Botany Chemistry Ecology Geology Medicine Meteorology Microbiology Natural History Physiology Physics Technology Zoology	Lots of details including technical descriptions A clear organization with topic sentences and transitions developing the main idea The author may or may not present an opinion Questions usually stick close to the text, requiring little inference

Additional ACT Reading Tips And Strategy Articles

Click on the links below for more tips on cracking this ACT test section:

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ACT Reading Passage Types | What To Expect

4 ACT Reading Passage Types

ACT Reading Passage Types In A Nutshell

Additional ACT Reading Tips And Strategy Articles

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Written by Todd Marcus

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