ACT Science Conflicting Viewpoints Understanding Two Scientists Positions What Each Believes

What This Is and Why It Matters for the ACT

Conflicting Viewpoints: Understanding Two Scientists' Positions appears in the Reading and Science sections of the ACT. It appears on every Reading test and is a moderately difficult topic, requiring analysis and critical thinking skills.

Key Concepts (What You Must Know)

• Definition: Scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation for a set of phenomena, while a hypothesis is a proposed explanation that needs testing.
• Reading skill: Identify the main idea and supporting details in a scientific text.
• Key vocabulary: Null hypothesis, alternative hypothesis, empirical evidence.

Step-by-Step Strategy for This Topic

1. Read the passage carefully, identifying the main idea and the two scientists' positions.
2. Identify the key points of each scientist's argument, including their claims and evidence.
3. Look for areas of agreement and disagreement between the two scientists.
4. Eliminate answer choices that are not supported by the passage.
5. Choose the answer that best reflects the main idea of the passage and the scientists' positions.
   ⚠️ Don't get bogged down in details – focus on the main idea!

How It’s Tested on the ACT

• Reading: Passage-based questions that ask you to identify the main idea, supporting details, and the scientists' positions.
• Science: Data representation, research summaries, and conflicting viewpoints, often with graphs or charts.
• Common distractors: Answer choices that are supported by the passage but not the main idea or the scientists' positions.

Common Mistakes & Exam Traps

• The mistake: Failing to identify the main idea of the passage.
• Why it happens: Rushing through the passage or not reading carefully.
• How to avoid it: Take your time and read the passage carefully, identifying the main idea and supporting details.

• Exam board insight: The ACT rewards careful reading and analysis of the passage.

• The mistake: Failing to distinguish between the two scientists' positions.

• Why it happens: Not paying attention to the details of each scientist's argument.
• How to avoid it: Carefully read each scientist's argument and identify their key points.
• Exam board insight: The ACT rewards careful analysis and distinction between the two scientists' positions.

Practice Questions (3-5 questions)

Question 1: Scientists Smith and Johnson disagree about the effects of climate change on sea levels. According to Smith, rising temperatures will cause sea levels to rise by 10 cm by 2050. Johnson argues that the increase will be only 5 cm. Which of the following best reflects the main idea of the passage?

A) Both scientists agree that sea levels will rise.
B) Smith predicts a larger increase than Johnson.
C) The passage does not mention the effects of climate change on sea levels.
D) Johnson's prediction is based on empirical evidence.
E) Smith's prediction is supported by a null hypothesis.

Answer: B) Smith predicts a larger increase than Johnson.
Explanation: The passage states that Smith predicts a 10 cm increase, while Johnson predicts a 5 cm increase. This reflects the main idea of the passage and the scientists' positions.

Question 2: A study on the effects of exercise on heart health found that regular exercise reduced the risk of heart disease by 20%. However, another study found that exercise had no significant effect on heart health. Which of the following best reflects the main idea of the passage?

A) Regular exercise reduces the risk of heart disease.
B) Exercise has no significant effect on heart health.
C) The passage does not mention the effects of exercise on heart health.
D) The two studies have conflicting results.
E) The null hypothesis is supported by the passage.

Answer: D) The two studies have conflicting results.
Explanation: The passage states that one study found a 20% reduction in risk, while the other study found no significant effect. This reflects the main idea of the passage and the conflicting results.

Quick Reference Card (60-Second Summary)

• Identify the main idea and supporting details in a scientific text.
• Look for areas of agreement and disagreement between two scientists' positions.
• Eliminate answer choices that are not supported by the passage.
• Choose the answer that best reflects the main idea of the passage and the scientists' positions.
• Take your time and read the passage carefully.
• Distinguish between the two scientists' positions.

If You Get Stuck on Test Day

• If you don't know the answer, eliminate answer choices that are not supported by the passage.
• Take a deep breath and read the passage carefully again.
• If you're running out of time, focus on the main idea and the scientists' positions.
• Don't get bogged down in details – focus on the main idea!

Related ACT Topics

• Scientific Method: Understanding the steps involved in scientific inquiry, including hypothesis formation, experimentation, and data analysis.
• Graph and Chart Reading: Interpreting data presented in graphs and charts, including identifying trends and patterns.
• Data Analysis: Identifying patterns and trends in data, including using statistical measures to describe data.