ACT comparisons strategies
ACT Reading includes comparison questions across the four passages (prose fiction, social science, humanities, natural science) in the 35-minute, 40-question section. Comparison questions ask how two things are alike, how they differ, or how one is described relative to the other. These strategies cover identifying the two things being compared and the dimension of comparison, and the trap of choosing an answer that describes only one side of the comparison.
The core principle
Every comparison question has two parts: what is being compared and the basis of comparison. Identify both before reading the answer choices. The question might compare two characters, two theories, two time periods, or two experiments. The basis might be their motivation, their method, their outcome, or their attitude. Once you know the two things and the dimension, return to the passage and find where the comparison is made. The passage often uses signal words: "unlike," "similar to," "whereas," "in contrast," "both," "similarly." These words mark the comparison and tell you whether the relationship is similarity or difference. The correct answer captures the relationship between both sides, not just one.
The most common trap
Choosing an answer that describes one side but not the comparison
The question asks how the narrator's childhood differs from her adulthood. One answer choice accurately describes her childhood. Another accurately describes her adulthood. Neither answer captures the comparison. The correct answer states how the two differ: for example, "her childhood was marked by constant movement, while her adulthood was defined by stability." The answer choices that describe only one side are traps because they are factually correct about that side. The question asks for the relationship between both sides, so the answer must address both.
Step-by-step strategy
When to use: any question that asks how two things are alike, how they differ, or how one relates to another.
- 1Read the question stem and identify the two things being compared. Write them down mentally.
- 2Identify the basis of comparison: what dimension are the two things compared on (method, outcome, attitude, speed, cost, etc.)?
- 3Return to the passage and find the sentence or sentences that make the comparison. Look for signal words: "unlike," "whereas," "similarly," "both."
- 4Eliminate any answer choice that describes only one side of the comparison. The correct answer must address both sides and the relationship between them.
- 5Verify the direction of the comparison. If the passage says A is faster than B, eliminate any choice that says B is faster than A.
When not to use: when the question asks for a specific detail or an inference rather than a comparison between two things.
Related pages
Comparisons practice questions
Free practice questions with full explanations.
Detail retrieval strategies
Going back to the passage for stated facts.
Inferences strategies
What follows from the passage, not from outside knowledge.
ACT Reading practice
Browse practice questions for every ACT Reading topic.
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