Test Taking Strategies
What should you do if you are not sure what answer choice is the correct one? a) Don't bubble in any answer and leave it blank b) Spend 15 minutes trying to decide on an answer c) Eliminate the obvious wrong answer choices and then make an educated guess
C
a sentence that expresses the main idea of the paragraph in which it occurs
topic sentence
a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, used to make a description more emphatic or vivid (e.g., as brave as a lion, crazy like a fox )
simile
Why should you read all of the possible answers to a question before choosing one?
There could be a BETTER answer even though you feel that one you already read is correct.
How many supporting details do you need in each paragraph?
3
"the alliteration of “sweet birds sang”"
alliteration
True or False: You should read all the answer choices, even if the first or second answer sounds correct to you.
TRUE! Almost every question will have 2 answer choices that are somewhat easy to eliminate and then 1 answer choice that is there to trick you! So you should read and reread each answer choice carefully and check back to the text to make sure you are choosing the correct answer and not the trick answer!
A _____ is the main argument of an essay. It is the most important part of an academic paper.
Claim
a figure of speech that, for rhetorical effect, directly refers to one thing by mentioning another
ex: his heart was stone
metaphor
Your teachers always tell you to "go back and check your work" when you are done. How should you "check your work" on the state test?
Reread each question carefully and the answer you chose, and check the text again to make sure you still think that is the right answer. Also, make sure you have bubbled in ALL the questions on your scantron
What is a counterclaim?
Addressing the opposite of your claim. "The opposing side may say ____"
the attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something nonhuman, or the representation of an abstract quality in human form
the sun swallowed the horizon
personification
Why should you underline or circle key words in the questions?
To help you understand EXACTLY what each question is asking you and help you know what to focus on when you read the passage. The questions are often tricky and if you don't read them carefully and focus on the key words you might make a careless mistake when answering the question!
What does TAPE stand for?
Task, Audience, Purpose, Evidence
onomatopoeia