LimitlessProd

Oh sorry I didn't even realize I skipped over those. I didn't get any of those wrong so I'll go ahead and help you out.

45. You can automatically rule out the "yes" choices because of the fact that the essay centers on Mary Carter Smith and not the effects of storytelling on a community. You are left with C and D. Based on this fact again you can eliminate C and D gives you the answer. To solve this question, you must pay attention to what is going on in the passage. It's sort of like the Reading section questions, sadly.

54. The answer cannot be G because the rule is not contradicting the previous sentence. J cannot be the answer because it is not introducing a new idea; rather it is supporting an earlier stated one. That leaves F and H. Using likewise would mean a comparison is being made which it is not. The answer is F because in the preceding sentence, the essay gives a situation while the sentence we are working with gives a solution. This is when words like therefore are used. Other words/phrases that could be used would be "as a result" or something like that.

65. If you do not read the sentence carefully it can trick you. The underlined portion is referring to singular "quill stub." Therefore, "is" must be used and you can eliminate B and C. D is grammatically wrong, but I can't remember why right now. There is a rule though, so hopefully someone else will fill you in on it.

I'm actually using several materials for the English section. I am using Barron's ACT 36, Princeton Review ACT, Princeton Review 1296 Questions, and the Red Book. I'm also going to use the Sparknotes online tests and the March 2 Success online tests. I also have an old McGraw-Hill 10 ACT's book(from like 2005 lol) which I do not recommend. I'm aiming for a 35/36 so I believe I need to have lots of materials. And yup, no problem.

GoldenMonkeySAT

@LimitlessProd once again thank you very much!

Guys I am thinking about going to the local book store and buying Princeton Review's 1,296 ACT Practice Questions (College Test Preparation) book. The reason behind is because I need to practice more and more problems. Has anyone used this book? Any success stories?

GoldenMonkeySAT

-6/27/2012-

Dear Diary,

Today hasn't been going according to the way I had imagined. Starting from the morning I had a doctors appointment. After I came back I went over the mistakes I made on a practice ACT English test from yesterday. From there on I kind of slacked off. Though, I printed off all the Sparknotes ACT grammar notes, I am most likely going to go over it before I go to bed. I am excited for tomorrow because I will definitely get back on track and not only that but also I will get Princeton ACT 1296 questions book. That is really all I have to say. Well good night!

GoldenMonkeySAT

Guys I want to know if a comma ALWAYS goes before a conjunction? On the Sparknotes ACT grammar guide it says

"An independent clause contains a subject and a verb (an independent clause can be as short as “I am” or “he read”), and it can function as a sentence on its own. When you see a conjunction (and, but, for, or, nor, yet) joining independent clauses, a comma should precede the conjunction. For example,
An independent clause contains a subject and a verb, and it can function as a sentence on its own.
Lesley wanted to sit outside, but it was raining.
Henry could tie the shoe himself, or he could ask Amanda to tie his shoe.

In each example, the clauses on both sides of the comma could stand as sentences on their own.[Why not just use a period or a semicolon?] (I am confused on this.) With the addition of the comma and conjunction, the two independent clauses become one sentence."

GoldenMonkeySAT

-6/28/2012-

Dear Diary,

It hasn't been as productive as I had planned, though I did get something out of today. As I said earlier I went out to my local book store, today, and bought three books: Barron's ACT 36 (2nd Edition), Sparknotes: ACT Math & Science Workbook, and The Princeton Review: 1296 ACT Practice Questions (2nd Edition). I am really excited to dive straight into this books. I am planning on starting with the Barrons ACT 36 book and start prepping for the English portion of the ACT!

Any personal opinions on the books? How did the help you and any suggestions on how to use them?

Well I have a lot of work ahead me in order to achieve my goal! I am going to start bright and early tomorrow!

Themost

I loved the math Secton on the barron's 36 it helped me get a 35 on math last time.the english is ok.

Zeruel95

i got a 35 and did nothing. For the act. I studied a ton for the sat, however, and that really translated well. Better than the sat even. For grammar just pick up a barrons 2400 book or something. I found sat grammar much, much more difficult that the act. Also, endless drilling on passage questions helped in the english section, along with, well, the reading section of course. As far as math is concerned, i can't really help you. It was my lowest subscore (34)

GoldenMonkeySAT

Guys sorry for not doing a dear diary yesterday. I will today; I promise. Bit I just started going over the English Prep, in the Barron's 36 ACT book, and it is simply AMAZING. It clarifies so much grammar doubts and tells you exactly how to use a certain grammar rule.

SpitPhire

Did you get the 2nd addition of barrons ACT 36? I really need help on grammar rules and you seem to like it a lot so i may give it a try.

GoldenMonkeySAT

@SpitPhire

You should definitely get the book! The English section, personally, is the best when compared to books like The Princeton Review: ACT 2012, and the Real ACT (Red Book), and Sparknotes ACT grammar guide. The grammar rules are easy to follow with follow up questions.

I just started using the book earlier this morning, and right now I am at the section over Semicolon usage.

SpitPhire

Alright, thanks! I just ordered it and a few others

GoldenMonkeySAT

@SpitPhire Just curious, but what other books did you order?

SpitPhire

Cracking the ACT, 2012 Edition
1,296 ACT Practice Questions, 2nd Edition
McGraw-Hill's Top 50 Skills for a Top Score

GoldenMonkeySAT

-6/30/2012-

Dear Diary,

Today has been really productive. This morning I started using the Barrons ACT 36. At first I was not sure how beneficial this book was going to be. It actually turned out to be very useful. It has clarified many doubts and confusion on some of the grammar rules. Overall today I have finished chapter 2 of this book, and before I got to bed I am going to review and reinforce what I have learned.

Dillly

I can't be much of a help when it comes to ACT but I'd like to say that this is very inspiring. Keep up the hard work. Very, very people - including myself - have your outstanding motivation and work ethic. Keep fighting for your goal.

My goal was a 2400 SAT - I ended up hitting 2370. I couldn't help but wish I did a little bit better on the math, but I realized that the score didn't matter to me after putting in my work. A quote that really hit me well was "You are entitled to your actions, but not to the fruit. Don’t act for the fruit of the action, but for the action itself."

Remember that regardless of your score, the actions that you've taken in studying are far more impressive than a 36. Your future will be affected by your ACT score - and yes, your ACT score is very important. But there is nothing you or anybody can do that would impress me more than your work ethic! Regardless of your score, and regardless of what people (including your parents) tell you, you WILL do great things with your life. The sky is the limit for someone like you who puts in 110% of your effort into your endeavors. Your ACT score will not dictate your life, your actions will, and your actions have rocketed past the actions of most people your age. Keep it up and give yourself a pat on the back for the work you've put in!