Free ACT Reading Question and Answers 2

Question 1

An ACT Reading passage describes a character who "smiled with her lips but not her eyes." What does this detail most likely convey?

Accepted Answer

The character's smile is insincere or masking her true feelings

Answer

This literary detail conveys that the character's outward expression does not match her internal emotional state — suggesting insincerity, sadness, or hidden feelings beneath the surface smile.

Question 2

A social studies passage argues that urbanization leads to economic growth. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken this argument?

Accepted Answer

Several rapidly urbanizing countries have experienced higher poverty rates and increased inequality despite economic growth

Answer

Evidence that urbanization can accompany poverty and inequality directly challenges the claim that urbanization leads to (broadly beneficial) economic growth, weakening the argument.

Question 3

In an ACT Reading passage about marine biology, the author states that bioluminescence serves "primarily as a predatory lure." What is the author's purpose in this passage?

Accepted Answer

To inform readers about the biological function of bioluminescence in deep-sea predators

Answer

The specific, factual claim about function ("primarily as a predatory lure") indicates the author's purpose is to inform — presenting scientific information about bioluminescence's biological role.

Question 4

A passage's second paragraph begins: "This theory, however, fails to account for several critical observations." What is the function of the word "however"?

Accepted Answer

To signal a contrast or shift — the paragraph will contradict or qualify what was said before

Answer

"However" is a conjunctive adverb signaling contrast. It indicates the paragraph will present information that challenges, complicates, or qualifies the theory described previously.

Question 5

An ACT humanities passage quotes a 19th-century critic who called Impressionist paintings "mere sketches." Based on context, what does this quote reveal about the critic?

Accepted Answer

The critic viewed Impressionist work as unfinished and lacked appreciation for the style's intentional spontaneity

Answer

Calling the paintings "mere sketches" reveals the critic evaluated them against academic standards of finish and detail, dismissing the Impressionist style's deliberate looseness as incomplete work.

ACT Practice Test

ACT Practice Test

Free ACT Reading Question and Answers 2