ACT Essay Prompts and How to Tackle Them

The ACT test can feel like a lot. You’re given a big, usually tricky topic that you have to dissect on the spot. But confidence can come only from preparation and the right strategy, so let’s jump into some real examples and talk about how the prompts must be handled before we get to the actual sample essays.

Sample Prompt: Intelligent Machines
Artificial intelligence is becoming more advanced every year. Some AI systems can hold conversations, create art, and even make decisions that seem almost human. As automated machines become more intelligent, some people argue that we should start thinking about whether they deserve rights, just like humans or animals do. Others believe that no matter how smart AI gets, it’s still just a tool, and giving it rights would be unnecessary and even dangerous.

Should intelligent machines ever be granted rights? Why or why not?

Perspective 1: No matter how advanced AI becomes, it’s still not a human and will never be truly conscious or capable of feeling emotions like humans do. Giving machines rights would be ridiculous and could create more problems than solutions.
Perspective 2: It’s wrong to treat a machine like a disposable object if it can make decisions and even feel something close to an emotion. It should have some level of protection and rights.
How to Approach This Prompt:
Understand the prompt fully. Define what “rights” we’re talking about; are these legal rights, moral consideration, or something else?
Think about what makes something deserve rights. Is it the machines’ knowledge, self-awareness, or emotions?
Consider historical parallels. Animals didn’t always have the same rights that they did years ago. Why can’t AI be next?
Weigh the risks. Could giving AI rights encourage the machines to start making decisions that go against human interests?
Use examples. Talk about whether you’ve seen a self-learning robot or watched a movie where machines demand rights. Are we close to that reality?

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