ACT Reading Test 1-10

In Passage A, the parenthetical information in line 19

and lines 21–23 mainly serves to:

• specify how Luc identified certain aspects of a

  piano’s history.

• portray Luc as overly judgmental about piano

  transportation.

• describe the types of rules that visitors to Luc’s

  shop were required to follow.

• indicate some of Luc’s firm beliefs about piano

  care.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

Based on the assertion in Passage A that Luc’s “atti-

tude about how people treated their pianos seemed to

mirror his philosophy of life” (lines 25–26), which of

the following statements would most nearly describe

Luc’s philosophy of life?

• It’s better to live a full and imperfect life than not

  participate because something might go wrong.

• Life is a fragile gift that must be cherished and

  kept safe at all times.

• Living well is like playing the piano well; it

  requires dedication and practice.

• It’s important not to take life’s opportunities for

  granted because they may not come a second time.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

As it is used in line 32, the phrase bit into most nearly

means:

• pinched.

• ingested.

• marred.

• severed.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

In the third paragraph of Passage B (lines 61–65), the

author most clearly shifts from:

• making an argument against musicians selling

  their instruments to using evidence from his life to

  support that argument.

• introducing musicians he admires to explaining

  why he hopes people admire him as a musician.

• examining his own emotions about his violin to

  explaining why musicians must develop a partner-

  ship with their instruments.

• discussing the connection between other musicians

  and their instruments to pondering his own con-

  nection with his violin.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

In Passage B, the statement that Lifschey “was not

merely an excellent oboist; he was a great artist”

(lines 44–45) can best be described as:

• a fact supported by details about Lifschey’s career.

• a fact confirmed by experts quoted in the passage.

• an opinion that the author attributes to Lifschey’s

  colleagues and students.

• an opinion that the author asserts but does not

  explain.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

In Passage B, it can most reasonably be inferred that

Heifetz’s response to the woman who congratulates

him is intended to point out that:

• the woman hears Heifetz’s violin differently than

  Heifetz does.

• the woman isn’t qualified to judge the quality of

  Heifetz’s violin.

• Heifetz enjoyed the woman’s humorous comment.

• Heifetz’s violin doesn’t make sounds by itself.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

In Passage B, the author most directly indicates that

the violin is sometimes an adversary by stating that it:

• lies mute in its case.

• makes him adjust to its whims.

• responds with a range of emotion.

• can’t speak with words.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

Compared to Passage A, Passage B is more directly

focused on the:

• damage a musician can do to an instrument.

• characteristics of an instrument that give clues to

  its history.

• interdependence between musician and instrument.

• benefits of making instruments available to young

  children.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

In contrast to the way the pianos are described in Pas-

sage A, the passage author’s violin in Passage B is

described as:

• exhibiting unique characteristics.

• having an active personality of its own.

• sustaining damage from careless children.

• being important to daily life.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

Which of the following assertions about instruments is

most strongly supported by details provided in both

Passage A and Passage B?

• Familiarity with your instrument is an important

  part of the joy of playing music.

• Instruments should be revered and never treated

  like furniture.

• Selling your instrument shows disrespect for the

  music you have made together.

• Maintaining proper humidity levels is essential to

  preserving an instrument.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7