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act science 2
Here’s an example of a typical Science passage on the ACT:
The velocity of a falling object is given by the formula below:
Vf = Vo + at2
Where Vf is final velocity, Vo is original velocity, a is acceleration due to gravity, and t2 is time squared.
This relationship is further described in the graph below, which gives certain data points (indicated by X’s) for a diver who has stepped off a diving board:
[
Vf [
[ X
[ X
[ X
[ X
[ X
[______________________
t
Obviously, this is a scary looking set-up and chart.
But here’s the question:
- The final speed of the diver when entering the water is:
- Less than his initial (original) velocity
- The average of his velocities throughout the fall
- The same as his original velocity
- Greater than his original velocity
- None of the above can be determined from the information given
As hard as this question looks, the only way you could miss it is if you panicked and DIDN’T READ IT!
If a person jumps off a board, OBVIOUSLY he is going faster when he hits the water than when he started and any point in between, right?
The formula doesn’t matter! Even the chart doesn’t matter—although a glance at the chart will give you the answer: the greater the time, the greater the velocity.
Actually, all you needed was everyday COMMON SENSE!
PLEASE USE YOUR COMMON SENSE ON THE SCIENCE SECTION—IN FACT, USE IT ON ALL PARTS OF BOTH TESTS. YOU’D BE SURPRISED HOW OFTEN YOU CAN USE IT.
But most people would take one look at the formula and graph and think:
“Oh, no…physics! There’s no way I can do this…..”
They’d probably skip the question entirely!
But if you just relax, look at the bottom line question, knowing that these questions are always easier than they look, you’d get the answer instantly, and probably smile to yourself at how simple it was!
Not all the questions are THIS simple on the Science section, but they are never much harder!
Note:
There are 7 passages on the Science section. 6 of them have charts and graphs like the one we just did. 1 passage, called “Conflicting Viewpoints”, has no charts or graphs, but presents a question or problem and gives 2 or more possible explanations from scientists or theories, etc. Treat this like a reading passage: read quickly (but carefully) for the main ideas, then go to the questions.
FOR MORE ON ACT SCIENCE, PLEASE CHECK BACK HERE FROM TIME TO TIME FOR NEW MATERIAL.
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