ACT English Test Prep
Lesson 7
Hanyang University GAC
Instructor: Samuel Kim
Rhetorical Skills
Five primordial factors for effective writing/
evaluating texts:
1. Writing strategy
Writer’s intention, point of view; target audience;
attitudes, prejudices, and opinions that can be drawn
from the audience
Rhetorical Skills
2. Transitions
Words used to better organize your writing; e.g.:
again, although, consequently, finally, for example
Different types of transitional words and phrases
Links similar ideas
Links dissimilar/contradictory ideas
Indicates cause, purpose, or result
Indicates time or position
Indicates an example or summary
Rhetorical Skills
3. Ordering ideas
Logical construction of sentences and paragraphs; Within a
paragraph, all sentences should expand on one main idea.
Essay format (introduction, main body, conclusion) should
be followed in essays.
4. Coherence/Unity
One sentence depending on another sentence (e.g.
argument+reason)
Sandra is angry, and Joshua called Sandra at dawn.
Sandra is angry because Joshua called her at dawn.
Rhetorical Skills
5. Style
Three stylistic problems to avoid:
Passive-voice constructions
This trip will always be remembered by me.
Redundancy
He wrote his own autobiography.
Wordiness
The medical exam that he gave me was entirely
complete.
Grammar Review
I. Punctuations
Comma, Colon, Semi-Colon, Apostrophe
II. Verbs
Tenses (Past, Present, Future, Perfect, Progressive)
Moods (Indicative, Imperative, Subjunctive)
Subject-Verb Agreement
Parallel Structure
Grammar Review
III. Pronouns
Three types: Personal, Indefinite, Relative
Three cases: Subject, Object, Possessive
Making Agreements and References
IV. Common mistakes in words and expressions
Practice Exam
Directions: This test consists of five passages. In each
passage, certain words and phrases have been
underlined and numbered. The questions on each
passage consist of alternatives for these underlined
segments. Choose the alternative that follows
standard written English, most accurately reflects the
style and tone of the passage, or best relays the idea
of the passage. Choose “NO CHANGE,” if no change is
necessary.
Passage I
The first architect of the Capitol was appointed
in 1797 by the President of the United States. During
the period of the construction of the Capitol (17931865), several appointments such as this was (1) made
to the position of architect at such times and for such
periods as the various stages of the construction of
the work required. The office of architect has; however,
been (2) continuous from 1851 to the present.
1.
A. NO CHANGE
B. these was
C. these are
D. this were
2.
F. NO CHANGE
G. has, however, been
H. has however; been
J. has, however been
Passage II
The office’s functions (3) have change (4)
materially through the years in accordance with the
increased activities imposed on it by Congress, due
principally to the addition of new buildings and
grounds. Originally, the duties of the Architect of the
Capitol was (5) to plan and construct the Capitol
Building; yet, (6) later they included the requirement
to supervise its care and maintenance.
3.
A. NO CHANGE
B. offices’
C. function of the office’s
D. function of the offices’
4.
F. NO CHANGE
G. changed
H. changes
J. been change
Passage III
Permanent
authority,
for
the
care
and
maintenance of the Capitol Building, (7) is provided
by an act of August 15, 1876. This act has been
amended from time to time to provide (8) for the care
and maintenance of the additional buildings and
grounds placed under the jurisdiction of the Architect
of the Capitol by Congress in subsequent years. [9]
7.
A. NO CHANGE
B. authority for the care and maintenance of the
Capitol Building
C. authority, for the care and maintenance of
the Capitol Building
D. authority for the care and maintenance of
the Capitol Building
8.
F. NO CHANGE
G. act, amended occasionally, provides
H. act, which has been amended on occasion to
provide
J. act, amended from time to time provides,
9. Which of the suggested sentences makes the best
introduction to Paragraph 4 and the best transition
from Paragraph 3?
A. NO CHANGE
B. The care of restaurants and streets is certainly a
burden for the Architect of the Capitol.
C. Because it was established in the last century, this
act has been met with continual debate due to the
progress of the twentieth century.
D. Granted by the act of 1876, the Architect’s
authority to care for and maintain United States
buildings and grounds encompasses a varied set of
duties.
Passage IV
The Architect of the Capitol is much more (10)
in charge of the structural and mechanical care of the
United
States
Capitol
Building
and
making
arrangements with the authorized authorities in
charge (11) for ceremonies held in the building and
on the grounds; is responsible for the care,
maintenance, and sprucing up (12) of the Capitol
grounds, comprising approximately 208.7 acres of
landscaping, parks, streets, and parking; is responsible
for the structure and mechanical care of the Library of
Congress Buildings and the United States Supreme
Court; and under the direction of the Senate
Committee on Rules Land Administration and the
Committee on House Administration, respectively, is
charged with the operation of the United States
Senate and House restaurants.
10.
F. NO CHANGE
G. more menu
H. quite a good deal more
J. OMIT the underlined portion.
11.
A. NO CHANGE
B. the proper authorities
C. those
D. the authorities in
charge,
12.
F. NO CHANGE
G. maintenance, nor improvements
H. maintenance, and improvements
J. Maintenance and, sprucing up
Passage V
The Architect of the Capitol also is charged with
the perk of (13) planning and constructing of such
buildings (14) as may be assigned by Congress from
time to time. Current projects include extension,
reconstruction, alteration, and improvements under
the additional House Office Building projects; and
expansion, modification, and enlargement of the
facilities of the Capitol Power Plant. [15]
13. A. NO CHANGE
B. is charged with the
“perk” of
C. is charged with
D. is burdened with the
responsibility of
14. F. NO CHANGE
G. buildings, that
H. buildings; as
J. Buildings. As
15. For the sake of paragraph unity, which sentence
would best close Paragraph 5?
A. The sentence which currently ends the paragraph
B. Although the current projects are extensive, they
do not preclude the Architect’s integral
involvement in the future Congressionally
approved planning and constructing of buildings.
C. For example, the extension of the United States
Supreme Court has been in progress for five years
to date.
D. Issues of landscaping, park appropriation, and
street improvement can be dealt with by the
Committee on House Administration.