Steven Dulan, Amy Dulan – McGraw Hill Conquering ACT English, Reading, and Writing-McGraw Hill (2023)

“McGraw Hill Conquering ACT English, Reading, and Writing” by Steven Dulan and Amy Dulan is a specialized study guide aimed at helping students excel in the English, Reading, and Writing sections of the ACT exam. This book, published in 2023, focuses on providing targeted strategies, practice exercises, and in-depth reviews to strengthen students’ skills in these specific areas.

1. Comprehensive Coverage of ACT English:
   • Grammar and Usage: The book delves into essential grammar rules, sentence structure, punctuation, and style. It provides clear explanations of concepts commonly tested on the ACT, such as subject-verb agreement, verb tense consistency, and pronoun usage.
   • Rhetorical Skills: This section helps students understand how to improve sentences and paragraphs for clarity, coherence, and overall effectiveness. It also covers strategies for organizing ideas and understanding the author’s purpose.
2. Focused Preparation for ACT Reading:
   • Reading Comprehension: The guide emphasizes skills for interpreting passages from various genres, including prose fiction, humanities, social science, and natural science. It teaches students how to identify main ideas, infer meaning, and understand relationships between ideas.
   • Question Types: Students learn how to approach different types of reading questions, such as detail questions, inference questions, and vocabulary in context. The book also offers strategies for managing time effectively during the reading section.
3. Mastering the ACT Writing Section:
   • Essay Writing: The book provides a detailed approach to writing a well-organized, persuasive essay. It covers the process of planning, drafting, and revising, with tips on how to develop strong arguments, use evidence effectively, and maintain a clear and logical structure.
   • Practice Prompts: A variety of writing prompts are included to give students the opportunity to practice crafting essays under timed conditions. The book also offers examples of high-scoring essays with commentary to illustrate what works.
4. Practice Exercises and Drills:
   • Each section of the book is accompanied by practice exercises and drills designed to reinforce the material covered. These exercises help students apply the strategies and concepts they’ve learned, providing them with the opportunity to improve through repetition.
5. Test-Taking Strategies:
   • The book offers practical advice on how to approach the ACT, including strategies for eliminating incorrect answer choices, managing time effectively, and dealing with test anxiety. Specific tips are provided for each section to help students maximize their performance.
6. Full-Length Practice Tests:
   • The book includes full-length practice tests for the English, Reading, and Writing sections, allowing students to simulate the test-taking experience. These practice tests come with detailed answer explanations to help students understand their mistakes and learn from them.

Summary:

“McGraw Hill Conquering ACT English, Reading, and Writing” by Steven and Amy Dulan is an essential resource for students looking to improve their performance in the verbal sections of the ACT. With comprehensive content review, targeted strategies, and extensive practice materials, this guide equips students with the tools they need to succeed. Whether focusing on grammar, reading comprehension, or essay writing, the book offers thorough preparation to help students conquer these sections of the ACT.