ACT+Sample+Prompt

 =ACT Writing Test Sample Prompts= [|Sample prompts:] benefit the city as a whole. The Board is considering two options, but there is only enough funding for one. One option is to improve the city’s parks by planting more flower gardens and creating more recreational areas. The other option is to improve the overall appearance of the city by planting flower beds and small trees along city streets and at intersections. Write a letter to the Parks Board in which you argue for improving the city’s parks or for improving the appearance of the city, explaining how your choice will benefit the city as a whole. Begin your letter: Dear Parks Board:
 * 1) A Parks Board in a large city has received a generous donation and wants to use the donation to

2. To provide for the development of global competencies in our curriculum of study, the Curriculum Committee is considering two proposals. The first is to offer a limited number of scholarships for students to participate in an exchange program. The second is to add more international studies courses to the curriculum. Which proposal would you prefer to see the College implement? Write a letter to the Curriculum Committee in support of either a limited number of scholarships for an exchange program or the addition of courses in international studies to the curriculum to foster the development of global competencies.

3. The Curriculum Committee and the Student Government are working together on an initiative to promote tolerance and to help us embrace the positive aspects of diversity in the face of the challenges that it presents. In order to achieve this understanding, these two bodies are considering two programs: one is to host multicultural festivals and the other is to develop classes focusing on tolerance and multicultural diversity in history and ethnic studies. Write a letter to your Student Government or the College Curriculum Committee in which you argue for the hosting of multicultural festivals or the development of classes in tolerance and diversity.

4. In the current economic crisis the President of the College is trying to help students find ways to meet their financial expenses. With the recent fare hike, transportation has become an even greater expense for our students who all commute to school on a daily basis. To help students cover the cost of transportation, the President is considering two proposals. The first proposal is to offer mass transit vouchers that would partially subsidize the trip to and from school each day and the second proposal is to provide free parking for students who drive to work. Write a letter to the College President in which you argue for the proposal that you think would best help relieve the financial burden for our students.

5. Your college has received a large donation from a recent graduate who has specified that the money be used to enhance the quality of life for students. Two proposals for using the money have been made. One proposal is to expand the campus bookstore to include music CD's, gifts, and a snack bar. The other proposal is to add more computers to the computer lab. There is enough money to fund only one of these proposals. Write a letter to the dean of the college in which you argue for expanding the bookstore or for adding more computers to the computer lab, explaining how your choice will enhance the quality of life for students.

6. Money has been donated to your community’s high schools to help improve the health of students. Two proposals for using the money have been made. One proposal is to offer high school students a course which will inform them about the dangers of smoking and teach them techniques to help them stop smoking. The other proposal is to offer a sex education course that will teach students about safe sex and birth control. Since there is only enough money to fund one of these courses, a decision has to be made. Write a letter to the community school board in which you argue for a course on the dangers of smoking or a sex education course, explaining how your choice will most benefit students’ health. Begin your letter, “Dear School Board:”

7. Your city owns a large piece of empty land in your neighborhood, and two proposals have been made for its use. One proposal is to sell the land to a real estate developer to build a shopping center which will create new jobs and strengthen the local economy. The second proposal is to build a park with an athletic field, a picnic area, and a playground. Only one of these proposals can be accepted. Write a letter to the mayor, explaining which of the two proposals you feel would most improve the quality of life for the community’s residents.

8. The president of the college wants to reduce the number of students who drop out before the end of their first semester. Two options are being considered: either matching each new student with an experienced student mentor who can provide advice on how to succeed in college or requiring that all new students take a one-credit college-life course that would address topics such as time management, study skills, and stress reduction. The college has enough funds to implement only one of these proposals. Write a letter to the president of the college, explaining which proposal you think would be more effective in reducing the dropout rate. Begin your letter, “Dear College President:”

9. The U.S. Congress is considering how best to use the budget surplus to benefit the country. Two proposals have been made. One proposal is to establish a system of universal healthcare. The other proposal is to eliminate the personal income tax. Your congressman has announced that the final decision will be based on which proposal will most improve the lives of American families. Write a letter to your congressman explaining how your choice will achieve this goal. Begin your letter, “Dear Congressman:”

10. A City council in a large urban area wants to encourage people to use public transportation. The council is considering two options but wants to chose the one that will be more effective. One option is to reduce fares for subways and buses. The other option is to improve service by providing more frequent subways and buses. Write a letter to the City Council in which you argue for reducing fares on subways and buses or for improving service by offering more frequent subways and buses, explaining why your choice is more likely to encourage people to use public transportation.

11. A college president is concerned that many students are refusing to buy textbooks because of their high cost. Two options are being considered for making the textbooks more available: either making it possible for students to read textbooks online for a small fee or providing the college library with extra copies of textbooks for use only in the library.