ACT Reading Test

The ACT Reading Test measures reading comprehension skills through a variety of passages and question types.

Understanding Passage TypesQuestion Types and What They TestReading for Main Ideas and Details
Interpreting Author’s Tone and PurposeAnalyzing Relationships and ArgumentsMaking Inferences and Synthesizing Information
Applying Reading Skills to Everyday LifeCollaborative Reading and DiscussionUsing Reading Strategies in Other Subjects
Time Management During the TestActive Reading Techniques
Understanding Passag...Question Types and W...Reading for Main Ide...Interpreting Author’...Analyzing Relationsh...Making Inferences an...Applying Reading Ski...Collaborative Readin...Using Reading Strate...Time Management Duri...Active Reading Techn...
Advanced Topics

Interpreting Author’s Tone and Purpose

Reading Between the Lines

Understanding an author’s tone (their attitude) and purpose (their reason for writing) is crucial for advanced comprehension.

Tone Clues

Authors use word choice, punctuation, and sentence structure to convey tone. It can be serious, humorous, skeptical, enthusiastic, or even sarcastic.

Purpose Possibilities

An author might aim to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain. Recognizing this can help you answer questions about why certain details are included or how the passage is structured.

Why It Matters

In the real world, spotting tone and purpose helps you judge the credibility of news, understand persuasive ads, or enjoy creative writing more deeply!

Examples

  • Identifying a skeptical tone in a review of new technology.

  • Determining that a passage’s purpose is to persuade readers to recycle.

In a Nutshell

Detect the author’s attitude and motive to unlock deeper meaning in passages.

Key Terms

Tone
The author's attitude toward the subject or audience.
Purpose
The author's reason for writing the passage.
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Analyzing Relationships and Arguments