Free ACT English: Rhetorical Strategy Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: 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?
- Replace technical terms with plain language or add brief definitions for a non-specialist audience (Correct answer)
- Remove all scientific content to simplify the essay
- Add more technical terms to establish the author's expertise
- Keep the terms unchanged since climate change is a scientific topic
Correct 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.
Question 2: 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?
- Yes, because it synthesizes the essay's main themes and leaves the reader with a forward-looking statement (Correct answer)
- No, because conclusions must summarize every fact mentioned in the essay
- Yes, because it introduces new evidence about renewable energy costs
- No, because it uses too many abstract nouns
Correct 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.
Question 3: A transition sentence reads: "Despite these challenges, researchers remain optimistic." Where should this sentence be placed?
- At the beginning of a paragraph that shifts from discussing problems to discussing hopeful developments (Correct answer)
- At the end of the essay as the final sentence
- In the middle of a paragraph describing only the challenges
- As the opening sentence of the essay's introduction
Correct 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.
Question 4: 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?
- The tardigrade, for instance, can survive temperatures from −272°C to 150°C and even the vacuum of space by entering cryptobiosis. (Correct answer)
- Animals are fascinating creatures that can live in many places around the world.
- There are many extreme environments on Earth, including deserts and polar regions.
- Scientists study animals to learn more about survival strategies in nature.
Correct 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.
Question 5: 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?
- Delete the sentence because it is off-topic and disrupts the paragraph's focus on modern services (Correct answer)
- Keep it to provide historical context for all claims
- Move it to the beginning of the essay as an introductory hook
- Expand it with more details about ancient libraries
Correct 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.
Question 6: Which revision most effectively strengthens this weak argument? Original: "Schools should have longer lunch breaks. Lunch breaks are important. Students need time to eat."
- 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. (Correct answer)
- Lunch breaks are really important because they give students time to eat and rest.
- Many students feel that lunch breaks should be longer because they are tired.
- Other schools have longer lunch breaks, so our school should too.
Correct 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.
Free ACT English: Rhetorical Strategy Questions and Answers 2
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?