ACT English: Rhetorical Strategy 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The writer wants to add information that supports the claim that recycling reduces landfill waste. Which choice is most relevant?
- Recycling programs diverted 32 million tons from landfills last year. (Correct answer)
- Many people enjoy the color of recycling bins.
- Landfills are often located far from cities.
- Recycling trucks are usually painted green.
Correct answer: Recycling programs diverted 32 million tons from landfills last year.
The tonnage diverted directly supports the claim about reducing landfill waste.
Question 2: Which choice best combines two short sentences to show a cause-and-effect relationship?
- The river rose. The town flooded.
- Because the river rose, the town flooded. (Correct answer)
- The river rose, and also the town flooded separately.
- The river rose; the town is nice.
Correct answer: Because the river rose, the town flooded.
'Because' explicitly establishes that the rising river caused the flooding.
Question 3: A writer wants to revise a sentence to be more concise without losing meaning. Which is best?
- Due to the fact that it was raining, we stayed inside.
- Because it was raining, we stayed inside. (Correct answer)
- In light of the rain that was falling down, we stayed inside.
- On account of the reason of rain, we stayed inside.
Correct answer: Because it was raining, we stayed inside.
'Because' replaces the wordy 'due to the fact that' while keeping the meaning.
Question 4: Which sentence would best serve as a topic sentence for a paragraph about benefits of exercise?
- I went jogging once last spring.
- Regular exercise improves both physical health and mental well-being. (Correct answer)
- Shoes are important for many activities.
- Some gyms are open twenty-four hours.
Correct answer: Regular exercise improves both physical health and mental well-being.
It states a general claim about exercise's benefits that the paragraph can develop.
Question 5: The writer wants to add a sentence that acknowledges an opposing viewpoint. Which choice does this best?
- My view is clearly the only correct one.
- Critics argue that the policy could raise costs, a concern worth examining. (Correct answer)
- Everyone already agrees with me completely.
- There are no other opinions on this matter.
Correct answer: Critics argue that the policy could raise costs, a concern worth examining.
It fairly presents a counterargument, acknowledging an opposing viewpoint.
Question 6: Which transition best signals that the writer is giving an example?
- Nevertheless
- For instance (Correct answer)
- In contrast
- Conversely
Correct answer: For instance
'For instance' introduces an example, unlike the contrast transitions.
Question 7: A writer wants the essay's introduction to establish the writer's credibility on the topic of nursing. Which choice best does this?
- I have never worked in a hospital before.
- After ten years as a registered nurse, I have seen these challenges firsthand. (Correct answer)
- I read one article about hospitals.
- Hospitals are large buildings with many rooms.
Correct answer: After ten years as a registered nurse, I have seen these challenges firsthand.
Citing ten years of nursing experience establishes the writer's credibility.
ACT English: Rhetorical Strategy 3
The writer wants to add information that supports the claim that recycling reduces landfill waste.
Which choice is most relevant?