ACT Preparation / Unit 6 ACT 0519 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Choosing the Best Closing
The idea
When a question asks which sentence best concludes a paragraph or a passage, work in three steps. First, state the main point of what came before. Second, test each choice: does it complete that point, by restating it, drawing its conclusion, or saying what should follow? Third, reject choices that add a new topic, repeat a single detail, or contradict the passage.
In practice
Worked example: a paragraph describes how a school's later start time led to fewer absences and better grades. Choice one: "The school also has a new gym." A new topic. Choice two: "Grades rose in math." One detail repeated. Choice three: "Starting an hour later, it seems, gave students more than sleep." It sums up the paragraph's results, so choice three concludes it.
Where people slip
A closing sentence looks back over the whole paragraph. A choice that echoes only its last sentence summarizes one detail, not the point.
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