ACT (Enhanced) flashcards

The way in which errors in measured quantities (like volume in titration) affect the accuracy of a calculated result (like concentration).

• Errors can be systematic or random.
• Titration relies on precise volume measurements.
• Underestimating volume of titrant leads to underestimating unknown concentration.

Memory trick: Small measurement error, big calculation difference.

The degree to which repeated measurements under unchanged conditions show the same results; the reproducibility of measurements.

• Refers to the closeness of multiple measurements to each other.
• Does not guarantee accuracy (closeness to the true value).
• Often quantified by standard deviation or range of values.

Memory trick: Accuracy hits the bullseye, Precision hits the same spot.

The process of determining the degree to which a model is an accurate representation of the real-world system from the perspective of the intended uses of the model.

• Compares model outputs to observed data or expert judgment.
• Assesses the model's predictive power and reliability.
• Essential step before a model is used for critical decision-making.

Memory trick: Create, test, affirm, refine, use.

The atmosphere or emotional quality created by the physical environment, time, and circumstances in which a story or scene takes place.

• Mood is developed through descriptive language, imagery, and word choice.
• Can influence the reader's feelings and expectations.
• Often works in conjunction with other literary elements like character and plot.

Memory trick: The setting's details paint the emotional feelings.

An experimental procedure in which neither the subjects nor the experimenters know who is receiving a particular treatment.

• Minimizes bias from participant expectations (placebo effect).
• Minimizes bias from researcher expectations (observer bias).
• Often used in clinical trials for drugs or treatments.

Memory trick: Blinding: 'Blind' to the truth to find the real truth.

Qualities that make a scientific model robust, useful, and reliable for understanding and predicting phenomena.

• Ability to explain observations.
• Predictive power for future events.
• Consistency with existing scientific knowledge.
• Falsifiability (can be tested and potentially disproven).

Memory trick: A strong model 'fits' the facts and 'foresees' the future.

A text structure that explains how one event, action, or condition (the cause) leads to another event, action, or outcome (the effect).

• Uses signal words like 'because,' 'as a result,' 'due to,' 'consequently.'
• Explains relationships between phenomena.
• Can be a single cause with multiple effects, or vice versa.

Memory trick: Patterns Help Readers Follow the Flow.

Strategic evidence placement involves integrating supporting details directly where they are most relevant to a specific claim or statement, thereby strengthening the argument's logical flow and persuasiveness.

• Evidence should directly follow the claim it supports.
• Placement impacts the clarity and strength of the argument.
• Avoid placing evidence too early (lacks context) or too late (lacks impact).
• Aims to create a clear, logical connection between claim and proof.

Memory trick: Build your argument: Claim, then Evidence, then Reason why it's sound.

Transitional phrases for contradiction or concession are words or phrases that signal a shift to an opposing idea, a counterargument, or a point that qualifies or limits a previous statement.

• Signals opposition or contrast.
• Introduces counterarguments or rebuttals.
• Examples: however, nevertheless, on the other hand.

Memory trick: Connect your thoughts, but show when they're fought.

A rhetorical strategy where an author presents multiple perspectives on an issue fairly and objectively, often encouraging the audience to form their own conclusions.

• Avoids explicit bias or advocacy for one side.
• Explores both strengths and weaknesses of different viewpoints.
• Aims to inform and facilitate critical thinking rather than persuade.

Memory trick: How the author tries to 'get' to you.

Sentence combining is a writing technique that involves joining two or more short sentences or clauses into a single, longer, more complex, and more sophisticated sentence to improve flow, conciseness, and clarity.

• Uses conjunctions (and, but, or, so, yet, for, nor).
• Uses conjunctive adverbs (however, therefore, moreover).
• Uses relative pronouns (who, which, that) to create dependent clauses.
• Uses participial phrases (-ing, -ed) or appositives to add descriptive details.

Memory trick: Connect, condense, clarify: make your sentences fly!

In an experiment, the group that does not receive the treatment or manipulation, serving as a baseline for comparison.

• All conditions except the independent variable are kept the same as the experimental groups.
• Helps isolate the effect of the independent variable.
• Essential for establishing cause-and-effect relationships.

Memory trick: Controls check changes, variables vary.

The extent to which an experiment, test, or any measuring procedure yields the same results on repeated trials.

• Indicates consistency and reproducibility of results.
• Achieved by repeating measurements or trials.
• Helps minimize the impact of random errors.

Memory trick: Reliable repetition yields robust results.

A recurring symbol, character type, image, or idea that appears in mythology, folklore, and literature across cultures and throughout time, representing universal patterns of human experience.

• Serves as a fundamental model or prototype.
• Often embodies universal human traits or experiences.
• Helps readers understand characters and themes across diverse stories.

Memory trick: Archetypes are the 'first prints' of personalities, seen in stories for eternities.

The main or most important role or purpose of a component, process, or concept as described in a text.

• Identifies the central task or contribution.
• Often stated directly or strongly implied early in the description.
• Distinguishes core purpose from secondary effects or related steps.

Memory trick: Focus on the 'why' and 'what it does first' to find the primary function.

To persuade means to convince the reader to agree with a particular viewpoint, opinion, or course of action, often using appeals to logic, emotion, or credibility.

• Often uses argumentative language and rhetorical appeals.
• Aims to change the reader's mind or motivate action.
• Common in editorials, advertisements, and political speeches.

Memory trick: Why did the author write this?

A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence, often making the sentence confusing or illogical. It occurs when the implied subject of a modifying phrase doesn't match the subject of the main clause.

• The modifier appears to modify a word that it cannot logically modify.
• Often occurs with participial phrases (e.g., -ing or -ed verbs).
• Can be corrected by adding the implied subject to the main clause.
• Can also be corrected by rephrasing the modifying phrase itself.

Memory trick: Modifiers must stay close to what they change, or sentences become strange.

Discrepancies between measured values and the true value, arising from limitations in measurement or experimental design.

• Can be systematic (consistent, reproducible) or random (unpredictable).
• Minimizing error improves accuracy and reliability of results.
• Often results from uncontrolled variables or faulty equipment.

Memory trick: Error: 'E' for 'Eek!' - something went wrong.

The variable in an experiment that is intentionally changed or manipulated by the researcher.

• It is the 'cause' in a cause-and-effect relationship.
• Its value is controlled by the experimenter.
• Often plotted on the x-axis of a graph.

Memory trick: IV (Independent Variable) is what I Vary.

Subject-verb agreement means the verb must match its subject in number (singular or plural). Intervening phrases between the subject and verb do not change the number of the subject.

• The verb must agree with the true subject, not a noun in an intervening phrase.
• Phrases like 'along with,' 'as well as,' 'in addition to,' and 'together with' do not make a singular subject plural.
• Identify the actual subject first, then choose the appropriate verb form.

Memory trick: Subject's number dictates the verb's form; ignore the noise in between.

Analyzing two or more sources to identify similarities and differences in their content, perspective, purpose, or reliability.

• Focus on author, audience, and context.
• Identify unique contributions of each source.
• Avoid making blanket reliability judgments without context.

Memory trick: Compare roles: soldier's soul, general's goal.

Sentence variety involves using different sentence structures, lengths, and beginnings to make writing more engaging, rhythmic, and clear, avoiding monotony.

• Mix simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences.
• Vary sentence beginnings (adverb, phrase, clause).
• Use inversion or rhetorical structures for emphasis.

Memory trick: Flow like a river, not a choppy stream.

The movement of P-waves and S-waves through Earth's interior, which provides critical information about the composition and physical state of Earth's layers.

• P-waves (primary) are compressional, faster, and travel through solids, liquids, and gases.
• S-waves (secondary) are shear, slower, and travel only through solids.
• Changes in wave speed and direction indicate changes in material properties.

Memory trick: P-waves push through all, S-waves stick to solids.

Characteristics of P-waves (primary, compressional) and S-waves (secondary, shear) that reveal the physical state (solid/liquid) of Earth's interior.

• P-waves travel through solids, liquids, and gases.
• S-waves travel only through solids.
• Changes in speed and direction indicate changes in material density or state.

Memory trick: P-waves Push, S-waves Shake, Liquids Make S-waves Break.

A hasty generalization is a logical fallacy in which a conclusion is drawn about an entire group or category based on an insufficient number of observations or unrepresentative evidence.

• Draws broad conclusions from limited evidence.
• Often uses qualifiers like 'all,' 'every,' 'always.'
• Can lead to stereotypes or inaccurate beliefs.

Memory trick: Fallacies are tricks of thought, not logic's true path.

Credible evidence in academic writing refers to information that is reliable, unbiased, and verifiable, typically sourced from scholarly publications, reputable institutions, or expert analyses.

• Objective and verifiable.
• Supports claims effectively.
• Sources include academic journals, government reports, expert studies.

Memory trick: Weigh your evidence carefully; is it fact or just a tale?

The author's deliberate selection of specific words to evoke particular feelings, ideas, or associations beyond their literal meaning, influencing the tone and message.

• Connotation adds emotional or cultural associations.
• Denotation is the literal dictionary definition.
• Word choice can shape reader perception.

Memory trick: Words Carry Weight, Choose Wisely.

Verb tense consistency means maintaining the same tense for verbs that describe actions occurring in the same timeframe within a sentence or paragraph, unless there is a specific reason to shift tenses.

• Maintain consistent tense for actions in the same sequence.
• Shift tenses only to indicate a change in timeframe.
• Helps ensure clarity and smooth flow.

Memory trick: Keep your verbs in time, don't let them chime out of line!

Drawing logical conclusions or interpretations from observed data, often involving identifying trends, relationships, or optimal conditions.

• Goes beyond simply restating data points.
• Requires connecting observed patterns to broader scientific understanding.
• Must be supported by the presented evidence.

Memory trick: Optimal: Look for the 'peak' performance in the data.

Critique analysis involves identifying and understanding the main points, arguments, and overall assessment presented by a critic about a work.

• Focus on the critic's thesis or central argument.
• Distinguish positive observations from negative criticisms.
• Pay attention to evaluative language (e.g., 'sacrifices,' 'stagnation').

Memory trick: What's the critic's main beef or praise?

The author's general judgment or evaluation of a subject, often encompassing both positive and negative aspects to form a comprehensive opinion.

• Requires synthesizing multiple points of critique.
• Focuses on the author's main conclusion or prevailing sentiment.
• Distinguishes between specific details and the broader judgment.

Memory trick: Weigh the pros and cons to see the critic's stance.

A bias in which a sample is collected in such a way that some members of the intended population are less likely to be included than others.

• Leads to a non-representative sample.
• Can result in inaccurate conclusions about the total population.
• Often arises from convenience sampling or incomplete sampling frames.

Memory trick: Bad samples skew the truth.

Identifying the general pattern or direction in a set of data points, such as increasing, decreasing, or remaining constant.

• Involves observing changes in dependent variables relative to independent variables.
• Can be linear, non-linear, or show no clear pattern.
• Crucial for drawing initial conclusions from experimental results.

Memory trick: See the flow, know the show.

Transitional phrases for rebuttal are words or short phrases that signal a shift from acknowledging a counterargument to presenting an opposing argument or refutation, indicating a strong contrast or concession.

• Indicate a shift from an opposing view to your own argument.
• Signal a concession followed by a stronger point.
• Examples include: 'however,' 'nevertheless,' 'nonetheless,' 'despite this,' 'on the contrary.'
• Help maintain logical flow and clarity in argumentative writing.

Memory trick: Transitions are bridges, guiding readers through your ideas.

Drawing a conclusion about an author's or character's beliefs, values, or attitudes based on specific words, phrases, or stylistic elements used in the text.

• Requires careful analysis of specific linguistic patterns.
• Distinguishes direct statements from implied meanings.
• Considers the cumulative effect of multiple instances of a word or phrase.

Memory trick: Words are windows to the soul; read between the lines to see their role.

The variable in an experiment that is measured or observed by the researcher. Its value is expected to change in response to the independent variable.

• It's the 'effect' in a cause-and-effect relationship.
• It is measured or observed.
• Its value depends on the independent variable.

Memory trick: Independent Causes Dependent Change, Controls Stay Same

A formal email opening for academic or professional contexts typically includes a polite salutation, introduces the sender and purpose clearly, and maintains a respectful tone.

• Use 'Dear' followed by title and last name.
• State purpose clearly and concisely.
• Maintain a respectful and professional tone.

Memory trick: Email to a pro: Be Polite, Purposeful, and Punctual.

Drawing logical conclusions or interpretations based on numerical data and observed patterns or trends.

• Requires careful analysis of changes, rates, and magnitudes.
• Distinguish between correlation and causation.
• Avoid overgeneralization beyond the scope of the data.

Memory trick: Numbers tell a story, if you listen for its glory.

Transitional phrases for contrast are words or short phrases that connect ideas by showing differences, opposition, or a shift in perspective, helping to create a smooth flow between sentences or paragraphs.

• Signal a shift from one idea to an opposing or different one.
• Examples: 'however,' 'in contrast,' 'on the other hand,' 'nevertheless,' 'despite this,' 'although.'
• Improve coherence and readability by guiding the reader.
• Should accurately reflect the logical relationship between ideas.

Memory trick: Transitions are bridges; they guide your reader through your thoughts!

An additive transition is a word or phrase that introduces additional information, reinforces a previous point, or continues a line of reasoning.

• Used to add new ideas or examples.
• Signals continuation of thought.
• Examples include 'furthermore,' 'in addition,' 'moreover.'

Memory trick: Links ideas like a chain, guiding the reader's train.

Organizational patterns are structures authors use to arrange and present information in a text, such as chronological, compare/contrast, cause/effect, problem/solution, and description.

• Help readers understand the relationship between ideas.
• Signal words often indicate the pattern (e.g., 'first,' 'next,' 'because,' 'however').
• Different patterns serve different purposes for the author.

Memory trick: How the author 'builds' their ideas.

Providing additional evidence, reasoning, or examples that support the central claim or thesis of an argument, making it more convincing or valid.

• Introduces new information that directly backs the claim.
• Addresses potential weaknesses or counterarguments.
• Must be consistent with and logically extend the original argument.

Memory trick: To strengthen, add a brick; to weaken, find a crack quick.

Sensory details are descriptive words and phrases that appeal to the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch) to create a vivid and immersive experience for the reader.

• Engage the reader's imagination by describing what can be perceived.
• Make writing more vivid, realistic, and memorable.
• Can include adjectives, adverbs, and strong verbs.
• Crucial for setting mood, atmosphere, and character development.

Memory trick: Description paints a picture, engages senses, and shows, it doesn't just tell.

An unstated belief or premise that an author takes for granted as true when constructing an argument or explanation.

• Not explicitly stated in the text.
• Necessary for the author's logic to hold.
• Often reveals underlying biases or beliefs.

Memory trick: Assumption's clue: what must be true for the view.

Supporting details are facts, examples, statistics, or explanations that elaborate on and prove the main idea of a paragraph, which is typically found in the topic sentence.

• Directly relate to the topic sentence.
• Provide evidence, examples, or elaboration.
• Help to clarify or prove the main point.
• Should not introduce new, unrelated ideas.

Memory trick: Build your paragraph strong; details make it long (and clear)!

Identifying patterns or directions in data over time or across different conditions.

• Looks for overall increase, decrease, or stability.
• Requires multiple data points.
• Can be affected by outliers or short-term fluctuations.

Memory trick: Look at the 'slope' of the story the numbers tell.

A rhetorical strategy where the author critically examines, evaluates, and often finds fault with a subject, argument, or proposal, highlighting its weaknesses, flaws, or negative implications.

• Focuses on identifying shortcomings.
• Often proposes alternatives or improvements.
• Involves detailed analysis of flaws.

Memory trick: What is the Speaker Trying to DO?

The use of objects, people, or ideas to represent something else, often a broader concept or emotion, beyond their literal meaning.

• Adds depth and layers of meaning.
• Can be overt or subtle.
• Requires interpretation to fully understand.

Memory trick: Symbol's core: house and more, emotions galore.

Precise diction for distinction involves using exact and carefully chosen words to highlight differences and nuances between related concepts, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity in academic writing.

• Selects specific, unambiguous terms.
• Avoids vague or general language.
• Employs contrasting conjunctions or phrases effectively.
• Enhances clarity in complex explanations.

Memory trick: Clarify concepts like separating distinct chemicals in a lab.

The process of reviewing data and arriving at conclusions based on observed patterns and relationships.

• Involves identifying trends, correlations, and anomalies.
• Requires careful examination of numerical or observational data.
• Conclusions must be supported directly by the evidence.

Memory trick: Data speaks: listen to the numbers' story.

The process of modifying and improving a scientific model based on new data, discrepancies with observations, or enhanced understanding.

• An iterative process of scientific investigation.
• Involves re-evaluating assumptions, parameters, and algorithms.
• Aims to increase the model's accuracy, predictive power, and explanatory capability.

Memory trick: Create, test, refine, shine.

In an undisturbed sequence of sedimentary rock layers, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest layers are at the top.

• Fundamental concept in stratigraphy and relative dating.
• Assumes no overturning or major deformation of layers.
• Allows for determining the relative age of fossils and geological events.

Memory trick: Superposition: 'Stacking' rocks, oldest on the bottom.

Parallel structure (or parallelism) is the repetition of a chosen grammatical form within a sentence or across sentences. By making sure all items in a list or series, or elements in a comparison, have the same grammatical structure, writers create balance, rhythm, and clarity.

• Applies to words, phrases, or clauses in a series.
• Ensures elements are grammatically similar (e.g., all nouns, all verbs, all infinitives).
• Enhances readability, clarity, and rhetorical effect.
• Commonly seen in lists, comparisons, and correlative conjunctions (e.g., 'either/or').

Memory trick: Grammar builds strong sentences; structure gives them form.

A phenomenon in which a patient's physical or mental health appears to improve after taking a placebo or 'sham' treatment. This improvement is not attributable to the placebo itself, but to the patient's belief in the treatment.

• Psychological or physiological response to an inert substance.
• Important to control for in clinical trials.
• Highlights the power of expectation and belief in treatment.

Memory trick: Controls Guard Against False Findings

The study of past climates using tree rings. Tree ring width, density, and chemical composition can provide information about environmental conditions during the tree's life.

• Wider rings typically indicate favorable growth (e.g., sufficient moisture, mild temperatures).
• Narrower rings typically indicate unfavorable growth (e.g., drought, extreme cold).
• Each ring represents one year of growth.

Memory trick: Rings Tell What the Year Brought

Introducing new information that undermines the validity or strength of an author's claim or conclusion.

• Directly challenges a premise or conclusion.
• Often introduces a counter-example or alternative cause.
• Must make the original argument less plausible.

Memory trick: Weakening's way: find the flaw, make it fray.

A fact is a verifiable observation or piece of information, while an explanation provides reasons or causes for that fact.

• Facts are objective and measurable.
• Explanations interpret or clarify facts.
• An explanation can be supported by evidence but may evolve.

Memory trick: Relation's rule: observe, then explain the tool.

The way an author structures and arranges information in a text to convey meaning effectively, such as chronological, cause/effect, or problem/solution.

• Helps readers follow the author's logic.
• Signals the relationship between ideas.
• Common patterns include chronological, compare/contrast, cause/effect, problem/solution.

Memory trick: Structure's secret: problem met, solution set.

Active voice is a grammatical construction where the subject of the sentence performs the action expressed by the verb, making sentences more direct, clear, and forceful.

• Subject performs the action.
• Emphasizes the agent of the action.
• Generally preferred for clarity and conciseness.

Memory trick: Active voice: The subject ACTS. Passive voice: The subject is ACTED UPON.

The main point, claim, or thesis that an author is trying to prove or convey throughout a text.

• Often stated explicitly or strongly implied early in the text.
• All other supporting details, examples, and explanations contribute to it.
• Represents the author's overarching message or conclusion.

Memory trick: The 'main idea' is the anchor, holding all other details in its banker.