ACT English: Rhetorical Strategy 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A writer wants to add a sentence that emphasizes the urgency of the topic. Which choice best accomplishes this goal?
- The issue has existed for some time and may continue.
- Action must be taken now, before the damage becomes irreversible. (Correct answer)
- Some people consider the issue mildly interesting.
- The topic is one of many discussed in the article.
Correct answer: Action must be taken now, before the damage becomes irreversible.
Phrases like 'must be taken now' and 'irreversible' directly convey urgency.
Question 2: The writer is considering deleting a sentence that provides a specific statistic. Should the sentence be kept?
- Kept, because it offers concrete evidence supporting the paragraph's claim. (Correct answer)
- Kept, because it introduces a new unrelated topic.
- Deleted, because statistics never belong in essays.
- Deleted, because it repeats the title word for word.
Correct answer: Kept, because it offers concrete evidence supporting the paragraph's claim.
A specific statistic supplies concrete evidence that strengthens the paragraph's claim.
Question 3: Which transition word best signals a contrast between two ideas?
- Furthermore
- Therefore
- However (Correct answer)
- Likewise
Correct answer: However
'However' signals a contrast, while the others signal addition, result, or similarity.
Question 4: A writer wants the opening sentence to engage readers by raising a question they will want answered. Which choice does this best?
- This essay is about pollution.
- What if the water you drink could quietly make you sick? (Correct answer)
- Pollution is a noun describing contamination.
- There are many essays about pollution.
Correct answer: What if the water you drink could quietly make you sick?
A provocative question draws readers in and makes them want to keep reading.
Question 5: The writer wants to conclude the essay by restating the main idea in fresh language. Which choice best achieves this?
- In conclusion, I talked about a lot of things.
- Protecting our rivers today secures clean water for tomorrow's generations. (Correct answer)
- The end of the essay is now here.
- Rivers are bodies of water that flow downhill.
Correct answer: Protecting our rivers today secures clean water for tomorrow's generations.
It restates the central idea about protecting rivers using new, purposeful wording.
Question 6: Which sentence best maintains a formal tone appropriate for an academic essay?
- The results were super cool and totally awesome.
- The findings were kind of a big deal, you know?
- The findings demonstrated a significant and measurable effect. (Correct answer)
- The results, like, really blew everyone away.
Correct answer: The findings demonstrated a significant and measurable effect.
Precise, objective wording maintains the formal tone an academic essay requires.
Question 7: A writer wants to add a detail that appeals to readers' emotions about an animal shelter. Which choice best accomplishes this?
- The shelter occupies 2,000 square feet of space.
- The shelter was founded in a certain year.
- Each abandoned puppy waits, tail wagging, hoping for a loving home. (Correct answer)
- The shelter has a standard intake procedure.
Correct answer: Each abandoned puppy waits, tail wagging, hoping for a loving home.
Vivid, sympathetic imagery of waiting puppies appeals directly to readers' emotions.
ACT English: Rhetorical Strategy 2
A writer wants to add a sentence that emphasizes the urgency of the topic.
Which choice best accomplishes this goal?