Overview of the ACT Reading Section
The ACT Reading test consists of 40 questions that must be answered within the 35-minute time limit. The test consists of four sections, each containing one long or two shorter (paired) prose passages. The passages focus on topics in social studies, natural sciences, prose fiction, and the humanities. A set of multiple-choice questions accompanies each section. Those sections that contain two short passages (paired passages) will include some questions that involve both of the passages in the section.
There are two types of ACT Reading questions: referring questions and reasoning questions. Referring questions ask a student about information that is directly stated in the passage(s). Reasoning questions ask a student to draw conclusions from information that is implied in the passage(s). Below you can find more detailed information about each type of question, as well as sample ACT Reading questions.
ACT Reading Test Question Types
- Type of Question
- Examples
- Detail Questions
- find and interpret details
- Main Idea Questions
- identify the main idea of a passage, paragraph, or paragraphs
- Comparative Relationships Questions
- interpret comparative relationships (similarities and differences)
- Cause-Effect Relationships Questions
- interpret cause and effect relationships
- Generalizations Questions
- draw generalizations
- Vocabulary-in-Context Questions
- identify the meaning of words in context
- Sequence of Events Questions
- determine when events happened and/or the order of events
- Author's Voice and Method Questions
- identify the author's style, attitude, and point of view; the main purpose of a sentence, a paragraph, or the passage as a whole
- Sample ACT Reading Test Questions
To give you a better feel for the format and content of the ACT Reading test, let's take a look at a few sample ACT Reading questions.
Main Idea Question
- The main idea of the passage is to:
- A.
explain why Franklin never became an American president.
B.
discuss in detail Franklin's work as a publisher.
C.
explain the great change in Franklin's political beliefs.
D.
discuss Franklin's life as an important figure in early America.
Vocabulary-in-Context Question
As it is used in line 37, the word shattered means:
A.
broken.
B.
divided.
C.
injured.
D.
defunct.
Detail Question
According to the third paragraph, all of the following characteristics are true of Wright EXCEPT
A.
He was organized.
B.
He was determined to reach his goals.
C.
He was eager to make money.
D.
He was not afraid of hard work.
For additional ACT Reading test sample questions, visit the ACT website.
Related Topics
For information about the ACT English section, visit our ACT English page.
For information about the ACT Science section, visit our ACT Science page.
For information about the ACT Writing section, visit our ACT Writing page.
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