Free ACT English: Rhetorical Strategy Questions and Answers 2 Flashcards

A writer is revising an essay about climate change for a general audience. The draft uses terms like "anthropogenic radiative forcing" and "paleoclimatological proxies." What revision strategy is most appropriate?

Answer: Replace technical terms with plain language or add brief definitions for a non-specialist audience

Rhetorical strategy requires matching language to the intended audience. A general audience needs accessible language; technical terms should be simplified or defined to ensure understanding.

An ACT passage ends with this paragraph: "The future of renewable energy depends on investment, innovation, and the will of governments worldwide." The question asks whether this is an effective conclusion. Which answer is best?

Answer: Yes, because it synthesizes the essay's main themes and leaves the reader with a forward-looking statement

Effective conclusions synthesize the essay's central ideas and provide closure. Introducing new facts or simply listing everything mentioned is not effective conclusion strategy.

A transition sentence reads: "Despite these challenges, researchers remain optimistic." Where should this sentence be placed?

Answer: At the beginning of a paragraph that shifts from discussing problems to discussing hopeful developments

Transition sentences signal a shift in direction. "Despite these challenges" indicates moving from problem to solution — this sentence belongs at the start of a paragraph introducing positive developments.

The writer wants to add a specific example to support this claim: "Many animals have developed remarkable adaptations for survival in extreme environments." Which addition best achieves this?

Answer: The tardigrade, for instance, can survive temperatures from −272°C to 150°C and even the vacuum of space by entering cryptobiosis.

An effective example is specific, relevant, and directly supports the claim. The tardigrade example provides concrete, striking details (temperature range, cryptobiosis) that directly illustrate remarkable survival adaptations.

A paragraph about the benefits of public libraries contains this sentence: "Libraries were first established in ancient Mesopotamia." The paragraph's main idea is about modern library services. What should the writer do?

Answer: Delete the sentence because it is off-topic and disrupts the paragraph's focus on modern services

Paragraph unity requires all sentences to support the main idea. A sentence about ancient Mesopotamia does not support a focus on modern library services and should be deleted.

Which revision most effectively strengthens this weak argument? Original: "Schools should have longer lunch breaks. Lunch breaks are important. Students need time to eat."

Answer: Research published in the Journal of School Health found that students with 20-minute lunch periods consumed significantly fewer vegetables and fruits compared to those with 30-minute breaks, affecting both nutrition and afternoon concentration.

Strong arguments use specific, credible evidence. Citing a published study with measurable outcomes (nutrition, concentration) is far more persuasive than vague restatements or appeals to what others do.