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: