Testing Strategies
When you encounter a multiple-choice question, use this "E" word process to cross out answers you know are wrong.
What is the Process of Elimination?
In the sentence, "The desert air was arid, so dry that my skin began to crack," the word arid most likely means...
What is dry?
"The classroom was a zoo" is an example of this comparison that does not use "like" or "as."
What is a metaphor?
This structure explains why something happened and what the result was.
What is Cause and Effect?
This is the very beginning of the story where characters and the setting are introduced.
What is the exposition/introduction?
You should always read these short snippets of information found above a passage before you start reading the main text.
What are introductions?
"Unlike his gregarious sister who loved parties, Mark was shy and preferred to stay home alone." Using the antonym clue, gregarious means...
What is social or outgoing?
Giving human qualities to non-human objects, like "the wind whispered through the trees."
What is Personification?
If an author is explaining the history of the Civil War in order of the dates events occurred, they are using this structure.
What is Chronological Order (or Sequential)?
This is the turning point or the most exciting/intense moment of the story.
What is the Climax?
This strategy involves reading the questions before the passage so you know what information to hunt for.
What is "Previewing the Questions"?
"The scientist had to scrutinize the DNA sample; she spent hours looking at every tiny detail under the microscope." Based on the sentence, scrutinize means...
What is to examine closely or inspect?
An extreme exaggeration used for emphasis, such as "I've told you a million times!"
What is a Hyperbole?
This structure highlights the similarities and differences between two or more topics.
What is Compare and Contrast?
These are the events that build suspense and lead up to the climax.
What is the Rising Action?
To avoid making a "silly mistake," you should always go back into the text to find this, proving your answer is correct.
What is Textual Evidence?
"The team felt melancholy after losing the championship game; the locker room was silent, and many players had tears in their eyes." What is the meaning of melancholy?
What is sad or gloomy?
This is a comparison between two unlike things using the words "like" or "as."
What is a simile?
An author writing about the dangers of climate change and suggesting ways to fix it is using this structure.
What is Problem and Solution?
This is the final part of the story where the "loose ends" are tied up and the conflict is settled.
What is the Resolution?
When a question asks for the "BEST" answer, it implies that there might be two "okay" answers, but you must choose the one that is most...
What is complete or accurate?
"The new law was abolished, or formally put to an end, by the city council last night." What type of context clue is used here to define abolished?
What is a definition clue?
"The sibilant snake slithered" is an example of this, where the same consonant sound repeats at the start of words.
What is Alliteration?
Because the earth’s plates constantly shift and slide against one another, pressure builds up deep underground. When this pressure becomes too great for the rocks to hold, it is suddenly released in the form of seismic waves. Consequently, the ground shakes violently, resulting in what we recognize as an earthquake.
What is Cause and Effect?
This is the main struggle or problem that the protagonist must overcome.
What is the Conflict?