Comparing passages on ACT Reading?

This is the strategy I teach my students:

  1. Read passage 1; answer questions related to passage one (you may have to skip around)
  2. Read passage 2; answer questions related to passage two
  3. Answer questions related to the comparison of both passages

I think double passages are easier than single passages because the test makers pick easier passages. The problem is reading both passages and keeping them straight. Tackle the more difficult questions- those about both passages- last.

Prepare for this question: What would the author of passage 1 probably say about X in passage 2? That is almost always a question answer to the question.