The paired passage (or Passage A / Passage B) format is where Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (IKI) skills are tested most directly and intensively on the ACT Reading section. On the test day, you will see four sets of passages, either Social Science, Humanities, Natural Science, or Literary Narrative. One of them will be paired passages. These questions are specifically designed to see if you can synthesize, compare, and evaluate ideas across two distinct texts, which is the heart of what IKI is all about. Each passage presents a different perspective, theory, interpretation, or argument about the same or closely related topic.
Comparing Viewpoints or Perspectives
Skills Assessed:
- Identifying each author's viewpoint or stance
- Understanding how their opinions align, contrast, or qualify one another
How to Answer:
- Ask: What is the core claim or attitude of each passage?
- Look for agreement, disagreement, or nuance—sometimes one author partially agrees but emphasizes different concerns.
- Pay attention to tone and modality (e.g., “might,” “should,” “undoubtedly”).
Example Question:
Which of the following best describes how the author of Passage B would most likely respond to the argument presented in Passage A?
Identifying How One Passage Addresses the Other
Skills Assessed:
- Understanding whether Passage B supports, refutes, elaborates on, or takes a different approach than Passage A
How to Answer:
- Look for explicit references to “previous arguments,” “critics,” or “some have claimed…” in Passage B.
- Determine if Passage B is offering counterevidence, a new interpretation, or a reframing of Passage A’s ideas.
Example Question:
Passage B most directly challenges Passage A’s argument by...
Synthesizing Information Across Both Passages
Skills Assessed:
- Identifying common themes or ideas expressed differently
- Evaluating what both passages contribute to an issue or debate
- Drawing a conclusion that requires information from both passages
How to Answer:
- Look for conceptual overlap: Even if authors disagree, they may agree on a definition, example, or concern.
- Ask: If I had to explain what both authors care about, what would that be?
Example Question:
Which idea is most strongly supported by both Passage A and Passage B?
Understanding Use of Evidence or Examples in Comparison
Skills Assessed:
- Evaluating the type of evidence each author uses (historical, anecdotal, scientific, philosophical)
- Judging how that evidence shapes their argument or credibility
How to Answer:
- Compare methods: Is one author using data while the other uses metaphor?
- Consider the effectiveness or purpose of the evidence used—what is it meant to prove or emphasize?
Example Question:
Which statement best compares the types of evidence used in the two passages?
Contrasting Tone, Style, or Approach
Skills Assessed:
- Recognizing rhetorical or stylistic differences
- Evaluating how tone affects interpretation or persuasiveness
How to Answer:
- Identify tone words: Is one formal and the other conversational? One critical and the other admiring?
- Consider structure: Is one analytical, the other narrative?
Example Question:
Compared to the tone of Passage A, the tone of Passage B is...