Test Taking Strategies
Point of View/ Author's Purpose
Textual Evidence
Figurative Language
Text Structure
100
Crossing out answers that don't make sense or does not best support the question is called?

Process of Elimination

100
You are hiking in Snake Canyon when you find yourself lost in the strange, dimly lit Cave of Time. Gradually you can make out two passageways. One curves downward to the right; the other leads upward to the left. It occurs to you that the one leading down may go to the past, and the one leading up may go to the future. Which way will you choose? from a review of The Cave of Time by Edward Packard on Amazon.com From which point of view is this passage written? A. First person B. Second person C. It shifts from second person to first person. D. Third person
What is second person?
100
The game of gymnastics has been around for a long time. The sport developed from the ancient Greeks 4,000 years ago. At the time, exercise was thought to be a good use of one's time. People would spend as much time exercising as they would working on writing or math. Men would meet to develop and practice moves that showed their strength, flexibility, and endurance. Friedrich Ludwig Jahn is widely credited with developing modern-day gymnastics. Jahn, a German educator, had a great love for his country. He thought that the young people of Germany could be encouraged and built up through gymnastics. In the early nineteenth century, Jahn created the first gymnastics club. It helped make the sport popular throughout Germany and later the world. Jahn developed the balance beam, the horizontal bar, the parallel bars, the rings, and the vault. Much of what we see in twenty-first century gymnastics equipment can be traced back to Jahn. Which evidence supports the idea that Jahn was an inventor? A. He encouraged young Germans to exercise. B. He had a great amount love for his country. C. He modeled the ways of the ancient Greeks. D. He developed early gymnastics equipment.
What is he developed early gymnastics equipment?
100
Just thinking about him makes Angie's arm hair take on the form of a showy peacock. What is the meaning of the underlined phrase? A. turn blue and green B. sway back and forth C. burst into flames D. stand up straight
What is stand up straight?
100

Droughts occur when there is not enough water to meet people’s basic needs. Since water is such an essential part of life, droughts trigger a chain reaction of disasters. Without water, farmers have trouble producing crops and feeding livestock. A decrease in crop production and livestock occurs, and this leads to famine. Without moisture to hold down the soil, wind can easily pick up mounds of dirt and sand. An increase in dust storms occurs, and this leads to increased respiratory problems for humans. Wildfires are also common in times of drought. They destroy precious vegetation and animal habitats. How is this passage organized? A.description B.compare and contrast C.chronological order D.cause and effect

What is cause and effect?

200

What do you do to find the answer?

Question: Based on paragraph 9, the main character enjoyed . . . .

Go back to the story and read paragraph 9 to find the answer. 

*Anytime you are asked to re-read a section of a story, focus on that section to find the answer.*

200
Sti'Tumma had always wanted to have beautiful beaded "shooflies" attached to her saddle, on the breastplate and under the horse's tummy on the cinch. She had already made a couple for her favorite bridle! The shooflies were made from a small amount of horsehair being folded in half, wrapped with buckskin, and beadwork put over the buckskin. The shoofly would then be clipped onto the favorite spot selected by each rider. So when the horses had their tails cleaned, the hair was saved for Sti'Tumma who then went to work to make herself some beautiful and colorful shooflies. Sometimes Gilly, Sti'Tumma's sister, would do the beadwork on a dozen shooflies at a time for the trail guides. The shooflies would move with the horse and keep some of the flies from settling on the horse! From which point of view is this passage written? A. It shifts from third person to second person. B. First person C. Third person D. Second person
What is third person?
200
Chanakya (350-283 BC) was an important scholar and statesman. He was born as Vishnu Sharma. As a young boy, he had a vision of a new India. Instead of trying to change each citizen of India, he created and trained an able leader named Chandragupta. Chanakya helped Chandragupta create and lead a very successful empire. He was also a key player in the empire. The empire was the first of its kind in the Indian subcontinent. The future of India changed forever. Chanakya became a legend in India. Chanakya was also a pioneer in the field of economics. It is believed that he was the first scholar to write on the subject. He also wrote books to help leaders govern a nation. His books discussed finance, international relations, and war. These books reflected the Indian way of thinking. He was also a professor at Takshashila, one of the first universities in the world. How do the details about Chanakya's books affect the passage? A. They support the fact that he was an important scholar. B. They list the important things a successful empire needs. C. They influence the reader to learn more about leadership. D. They describe what all the empires in his time were like.
What is they support the fact that he was an important scholar?
200
If a person hits the sack, it means he or she A. recycles a sack. B. finishes a project. C. hits a punching bag. D. goes to sleep.
What is goes to sleep?
200
Icicles are pretty sights during the wintertime because they hang like ornaments. They dangle up high in places, like house roof tops, buildings, and trees. Because of this, icicles are dangerous to be around. When the sun comes out and melts the ice, the icicles can fall down. This can severely injure anyone who is found below. In addition, if too much ice forms around an object, such as a tree branch, the ice can cause it to break. Therefore, it is best to be careful when walking under them. Which text structure did the writer use to organize this passage? A. cause and effect B. definition C. compare and contrast
What is cause and effect?
300

Whenever I do not know a word in sentence, I  . . 

Blackout- Crossing out the word and replacing it with a word you know if the word is a noun. If the word isn't a noun, black it out and continue reading.

Or

 Context clues

300
You should go out and buy a pig today. They make the best pets ever. They are the only pet anyone should ever own.
What is persuade?
300

Jorge is writing a news story about a famous basketball player. Which of the following factual details should he include? A. the color of the stripes on his athletic socks B. his favorite basketball shoe C. how many points he averages per game D. which player he thinks is the best in the game

What is how many points he averages per game?

300
Alejandro replied with a warm smile, "Charlie, just take this one. Pencils are a dime a dozen. There's no need to bring me another one. Anyway, I'm always finding stray pencils out in the hallway. I'm sure I will find myself needing to borrow one from you one of these days." What does the idiom a dime a dozen mean? A. anything that is common and easy to get B. something that is too expensive to buy C. one dozen items you buy for only $.10 D. something is not used or needed often
What is anything that is common and easy to get?
300
An ostrich in the Granger Zoo was hurt from a fall. The ostrich named Elsa fell in a wash tub while being washed. The fall caused injuries to its head and legs. As a result, Elsa experienced a lot of pain. However, this did not last long because the zookeepers were able to reduce the pain. After a few weeks, Elsa was able to walk again without a limp. Therefore, the zoo, once again, had a healthy ostrich. The author organizes this passage by A. classifying the types of animals that live at the zoo. B. showing how the ostrich's fall affects the animal. C. compares Elsa's injuries to the zookeepers' treatment. D. defining the term ostrich and showing how it survives.
What is showing how the ostrich's fall affects the animal?
400
When I do not want to read the entire story but need to understand what the whole story is about, I . . .

1. Read the introduction

2. Read the first and last sentences of the body paragraphs

3. Read the conclusion

400
A hunter from Pennsylvania claims he has pictures of the legendary Bigfoot. Rick Jacobs says that he snapped pictures of the creature in September 2007. Jacobs had set up a camera in a tree in the Allegheny National Forest. Jacobs says that he will not tell the exact place where the picture was taken. He thinks that hunters and tourists will flood the area to try to see Bigfoot. The Bigfoot Field Research Organization says that the picture is of a young Bigfoot. The animal has two arms and two legs but walks hunched over. Jacobs had sent copies of the pictures to the group. He says he wanted proof that the pictures are actually of Bigfoot. Some say that the pictures of Bigfoot are most likely of a bear. The Pennsylvania Game Commission argues that they have seen pictures like this before. It appears to be a bear with a possible skin disease. How would this story be different if it were told from Rick Jacobs' point of view? A. The reader would most likely know more about Bigfoot's background and experience. B. The reader would most likely know more about Rick's thoughts and feelings. C. The reader would most likely know more about the Bigfoot Field Research Organization. D. The reader would most likely know more about the thoughts of the game commission.
What is The reader would most likely know more about Rick's thoughts and feelings?
400
Rashonda is writing a story that takes place in a beautiful river valley. Which of the following descriptive details would help the reader picture the setting of the story? A. the tall trees and grasses seen for miles B. statistics about the amount of rainfall in the valley C. the clothes that the main character wears D. the date when the first settlers came to the valley
What is statistics about the amount of rainfall in the valley ?
400
The idiom to add fuel to the fire means A. to make a bad situation worse. B. to pour gasoline onto a fire. C. to call someone on the phone. D. to wait for someone to show up.
What is to make a bad situation worse?
400
Plywood has been a useful construction material for years. It is made up of layered pieces of wood. It can be easily manufactured in large sheets. In addition, plywood is strong and can resist shrinking. Even during World War II, plywood was useful in building barracks, ships, planes, and many other army necessities. Its strength and resistance makes it perfect for everyday items such as door panels and cabinets. It is a part of most items in a house. Which of the following structures was used to develop this paragraph? A. cause and effect because the effects of construction materials are revealed B. classification because the topic of war materials is divided into subtopics C. definition because the word plywood is defined and its uses are described D. compare and contrast because plywood is compared to other types of wood
What is definition ? The word plywood is defined and its uses are described.
500

Choose the best option.

1. Read the directions, read the passage, read the questions, answer the questions.

2. Read the directions, read the questions, read the passage, read the questions, answer the questions.

3. Read questions, read the directions, read the passage, answer the question.

Option 2

500
I imagine myself relaxing in a hammock on a warm, breezy morning. I'm enjoying my morning coffee. I can hear the waves of the Pacific Ocean crashing down in the distance. I watch the horizon as the glorious red sun makes its peaceful journey into the sky. According to my travel agent, this breathtaking experience can be mine if I stay at the Waikiki beachside hotel. From which point of view is this passage written? A. It shifts from second person to first person. B. second person C. first person D. third person
What is first person?
500
A debit card is not a credit card at all. But it can be used in place of a credit card. Debit cards are usually issued by banks under the Visa or MasterCard name. You deposit money in the bank, usually at least $300 to $500, and then you can use the card until either you empty the account, or send the bank more money. This is like having a credit card, with a limited amount of money in your account. Most commercial banks offer these cards. What kind of supportive detail is used in the paragraph above? A. factual details B. dialogue C. descriptive details D. opinions
What are factual details?
500
It doesn't bother her one bit that her father will be stationed at the banquet like he's a member of the United States Secret Service. Based on the context, what does the sentence above tell the reader about Angie's father? A. He will drive Angie and Gordon to the banquet. B. He is a spy for the U. S. government. C. He will keep an eye on Angie and Gordon. D. He is going to help serve food at the banquet.
What is he will keep an eye on Angie and Gordon?
500

Every day, technology has a huge effect on our lives. However, do we ever wonder what it changes? We are constantly connected with world with e-mail, Internet, and cell phones. This overload of technology causes us to be overexcited. In effect, technology can be distracting. It can make us forget the simplest of tasks as well as hinder creativity. As a result, we are less efficient as workers and as learners. Which of the following best describes how the passage is organized? A.The passage shows how technology affects a person's everyday life. B.The passage defines the term technology and describes its function. C.The passage compares and contrasts everyday work with creative ones. D.The passage gives the different classifications found in technology.

What is the passage shows how technology affects a person's everyday life?

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