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THE ACT CONSISTS OF

1.English
2.Math
3.Reading
4.Science Reasoning
5.Writing (Optional)

THE READING TEST HAS 4 SECTIONS:

1.Prose Fiction
2.Social Studies
3.Humanities
4.Natural Science

THE HUMANITIES READING TEST

Read 1 passage of about 750 words
Answer 10 multiple choice questions
about the passage
The passages are excerpts from books,
articles, periodicals, etc.
The passages are about one of the
following subjects: architecture, art,
dance, ethics, film, language, literary
criticism, music, philosophy, radio,
television and theatre.

TEST TAKING TACTICS

Pace Yourselftimed test
Know the test directionsdont
waste time reading them
Suspend your prior knowledge of
topics
Identify questions by type
(referring or reasoning)

PACE YOURSELF
The reading test is timed for 35 minutes.
This means you have about 9 minutes for
each of the 4 reading passages with
questions.
If you spend 5 minutes reading the
passage you still have about 4 minutes to
answer the questions.
Practice helps! The more familiar you are
with the test the quicker you become.

KNOW THE TEST DIRECTIONS

The Reading Test directions dont change so
dont waste time reading them.
Here are the directions: This test consists of
four passages, each followed by ten
multiple-choice questions. Read each
passage and then pick the best answer for
each question. Fill in the spaces on your
answer sheet that coorespond to your
choices. Refer to the passage as often as
you wish while answering the questions.

SUSPEND YOUR PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

Sometimes a reading passage may be
about a subject you already know
about.
The questions come from the passage in
front of you; your answers should too.
Cast aside your prior knowledge and
read both passage and questions with
an open mind.

IDENTIFY QUESTIONS BY TYPE

(REFERRING OR REASONING)
Referring questions ask you to identify
what the author states directly
according to the passage
the passage clearly indicates
the passage says
To answer you should go back and read
and locate the specific material.

REASONING QUESTIONS

Reasoning questions ask you to identify what

the author says indirectly.

infer from the passage

the passage implies that
the main idea
one can conclude
To answer you should reread the passage or
parts of the passage and look for the main idea,
infer the authors purpose.

Now we will do a practice

Humanities passage of the
Reading Test.
This passage is about Pop Art
I will indicate when 9 minutes
have passed, then allow for
additional time.

QUESTION #1
The correct answer is A
Explanation: Concentrate your search for the answer on
the first paragraph of the passage, which describes
California lifestyles and subcultures. Infer from the
description why California was receptive to Pop art.
Chose A supports what line 9 implies that the
unconventional quality of California life has provided
this unconventional art form a hospitable place to
take root and grow. B is wrong because, according to
line 53, Andy Warhol was a New York Pop artist. C is
not supported by the passage. D may be a valid
observation, but it is not mentioned in the passage.

QUESTION #2
The correct answer is J
Explanation: to interpret the term, skim the passage to
find where folk art is discussed. In line 16, the author
calls surfboards, drag-racing cars, a Harley Davidson,
and Hells Angels uniforms examples of folk art. All
are objects that are not commonly thought to be art.
After being decorated and redesigned, however, they
qualify as examples of folk art. Choice F is not a
good one, because folk art is not necessarily
primitive or crudely done. G is wrong, because folk
art gets its identify not from its themes but from the
objects themselves. H is wrong, because some folk
artists are professionals. J is implied by the second
paragraph, which lists everyday objects as examples
of folk art.

QUESTION #3
The correct answer is C.
Explanation: To answer this question, skim the
passages for references to folk art. Look for the
specific examples listed in the four choices.
Before you decide on the correct answer,
however, you must infer the authors definition
of folk art from the examples given in lines 1221. The choice that doesnt fit the definition is
the answer to the question. Choices A, B, and D
qualify as folk art. C does not fall into the
category of folk art. C is correct.

QUESTION #4
The correct answer is J.
Explanation: Skim the first half of the
passage (lines 1 to 33), where
influences on West Coast Pop are
discussed. The influence not specifically
stated is the answer to the question.
Choices F and H are named as an
influence in lines 7 to 21. G is named as
an influence in lines 7-8. J is not
mentioned in the passage. J is correct.

QUESTION #5
The correct answer is B
Explanation: To answer this question, find
references in the passage to the work of
each person. Which of them is a Pop artist>
Choice A is an artist whose work is
discussed in lines 39-40. B is a writer, not a
Pop artist, according to line 13. B is correct.
C is one of the two major Lost Angeles
Pop artists (lines 25-26). D is a major
figure in Pop art, according to lines 5 and 6.

QUESTION #6
The correct answer is F.
Explanation: the question asks you to draw a
conclusion from information in the passage. Try
to locate material in the passage that supports
each choice. Choice F is an excellent one,
because much of the passage discusses the odd
creations of Pop artists. F is correct Although G
may be true at some time in the future, it is not
now, however. Also the passage does not
mention Pops influence on American art. H may
be true, but the passage does not mention to
the direction of the Pop art movement. J
expresses an opinion not in the passage.

QUESTION #7
The correct answer is A.
Explanation: To answer this question, reread the accounts
of Bengston and Ruscha in lines 25 through 48. Then,
reason out the best answer. Choice A is a good one,
because car customizing and motorcycles are reflected
in Beengstons work. Lines 44 and 49 indicate that
Ruscha painted garages. Both artists apparently have
been influences by things of the highway. A is correct.
B alludes to the fact that both artists come from Log
Angeles, but the city has not been influential on their
art. C is not mentioned as an influence on their art. D is
not mentioned as a factor in their art.

QUESTION #8
The correct answer is G.
Explanation: To answer this question, infer what the
author thougtht about each of the works listed.
Which opinion includes a description similar in
meaning to the phrase freshest and most
original? Choices F and H are not described as
fresh and original. G is compared to Andy Warhols
works, which portray aspects of the world which no
one had considered in an art context before (lines
53 and 54.) Thus, Ruscha, like Warhol, is an original!
G is correct. J is called many things but not fresh or
original.

QUESTION #9
The correct answer is B.
Explanation: This question asks you to pick the single
most important idea about West Coast Pop from a
passage containing dozens of ideas on the topic. To
find the answer, either skim or carefully read the
whole passage. Focus on opening and closing
paragraphs, paying attention to the first and last
sentences of each. Choices A and D are not
mentioned as essential elemetns of West Coast Pop.
B is stated outright in lines 13-16. B is correct. C is
mentioned, but not sufficiently to the main idea.

QUESTION #10
The correct answer is J.
Explanation: to answer this question, look through the
passage for references to New York Pop (line 53).
Draw an inference based on the information you
find. Choice F is not mentioned in the passage. G is
wrong. All of the evidence suggests the opposite. H
is wrong because the passage suggests the
opposite. J is supported by the final paragraph
which says that Rushas photos of 26 gas stations
resemble New York Pop: deadpan, factual, non-art.
New York pop artists, it seems, are not given to
dreamlike, fantastic subjects. J is correct.

HOW DID YOU DO?

MORE TO THINK ABOUT

Developing a strategy for the
Reading section.
Increasing reading speed
Becoming familiar with more
vocabulary
Practice timed tests
Continuing practice making
inferences

Good luck!