ACT Practice Test 1

Writing Test

40 Minutes 1 Question

Directions: The essay is used to evaluate your writing skills. You will have 40 minutes to review the prompt and plan and write an essay in English. Before you begin, read everything in this test booklet carefully to make sure you understand the task. 

Your essay will be judged based on the evidence it provides of your ability to do the following:

• Assert your own perspective on a complex issue and evaluate the relationship between your perspective and at least one other perspective
• Use reasoning and evidence to refine and justify your ideas
• Present your ideas in an organized way
• Convey your ideas effectively using standard written English
  

Write your essay on the lined essay pages in the answer booklet. All writing on those lined pages will be scored. Use the unlined pages in this test booklet to plan your essay. Your work on these unlined pages will not be scored. 

Put your pencil down as soon as time is called. 

DO NOT OPEN THIS BOOKLET UNTIL TOLD TO DO SO.

1. Career Readiness Programs

   High school curricula are designed to ready students for future career paths, many of which include higher education. Whether or not students choose to attend college, a comprehensive high school education provides an essential foundation. Some educators argue that high schools have an obligation to provide career readiness training for students who do not intend to pursue a college degree. Should high schools invest time and money to develop programs for students who do not wish to continue their education beyond 12th grade? Given the many factors that students weigh when considering if, where, and when to attend college, it is prudent for educators to explore programs that contribute to a better-skilled workforce.

   Read and carefully consider these perspectives. Each offers suggestions regarding high school–based career readiness programs.

   Perspective One

   Rather than concentrating solely on students who may not pursue higher education, high schools should help all students develop valuable skills for the workforce. Requiring students to complete classes that focus on key cognitive strategies, content knowledge, and relevant skills and techniques will help them enter the workforce, either immediately after high school or later in their lives.

   Perspective Two

   Career-readiness training should be provided for students who do not wish to pursue college, and it should be particularly targeted at students who are at risk for dropping out. When their high school experience is reframed as training for successful careers rather than government-mandated learning, students can succeed where they may previously have failed.

   Perspective Three

   Students who do not want to pursue higher education should not be given additional accommodations in high school, because they should not be provided any incentives to not attend college. College is the best way to learn how to be productive in the workforce, and students should be encouraged to attend since it is in their best interest.

2. Essay Task

   Write a clear, well-reasoned essay evaluating multiple perspectives on high school-based career readiness programs. In your essay, be sure to:

   • Assert your own perspective on the issue and evaluate the relationship between your perspective and at least one other perspective
   • Use reasoning and evidence to refine and justify your ideas
   • Present your ideas in an organized way
   • Convey your ideas effectively using standard written English

   Your perspective may be fully, somewhat, or not at all in agreement with one or more of the three perspectives in the prompt.

   Planning Your Essay

   These pages are not scored.

   Use the space below the prompt or another piece of paper to brainstorm and plan your essay. Consider the following as you think about the prompt:

   • Strengths and weaknesses of the three perspectives in the prompt
     • What observations do they offer, and what do they overlook?
     • Why are they persuasive or why are they not persuasive?
   • Your own background and identity
     • What is your perspective on this issue, and what are its strengths and weaknesses?
     • What evidence will you use in your essay?

If you finish before time is called, you may check your work on this section only. Do not turn to any other section in the test.