Essay Writing
What format should body paragraphs be in?
PEEL format
What is the meaning of "uninhabitable" as it is used in the sentence below?
"The flood caused toxic molds to grow on the walls of our old house, and now it is uninhabitable".
When it's impossible to live somewhere
Passage 2: “Risk and Growth” (Informational Text)
Psychologists widely agree that growth often requires discomfort. When individuals remain in familiar environments, they reinforce existing habits but limit opportunities for development. In contrast, new situations—while stressful—encourage problem-solving, adaptability, and resilience.
Research shows that moderate levels of stress can improve performance, a concept known as “optimal anxiety.” Too little stress leads to boredom, while too much can overwhelm. However, individuals who learn to tolerate uncertainty are more likely to succeed in unfamiliar circumstances.
Importantly, growth does not occur instantly. It requires repeated exposure to challenges and the willingness to move beyond what feels safe.
Which statements best represent central ideas of the passage?
Select ALL that apply:
A. Growth requires avoiding stressful situations
B. Moderate stress can improve performance
C. Familiar environments promote rapid development
D. Facing uncertainty can lead to success
E. Growth happens immediately after one challenge
F. Repeated challenges contribute to development
G. Stress should always be eliminated
BDF
Passage 3: “The Last Message” (Literary Text)
Lena stared at the blinking cursor. The message was simple—just a few sentences—but it carried the weight of everything she hadn’t said before.
She reread it again, her finger hovering over the send button. What if it changed everything? What if it changed nothing?
Outside, the world moved as usual—cars passed, voices drifted—but inside, time felt suspended.
Finally, Lena closed her eyes and pressed send.
Which statements best describe Lena’s internal conflict?
Select ALL that apply:
A. She is unsure about the consequences of her action
B. She is excited and confident about sending the message
C. She fears both outcomes—change and no change
D. She is distracted by the outside world
E. She is emotionally invested in the message
F. She wants to avoid making any decision
pick 3
ACE
What do you put around cited evidence?
Quotation marks.
How many sentences should Explanations be in body paragraphs?
two sentences at least, all in your own words.
After the downpour ended, the neighborhood was SERENE and allowed us to go for a walk.
1. calm
Passage 2: “Risk and Growth” (Informational Text)
Psychologists widely agree that growth often requires discomfort. When individuals remain in familiar environments, they reinforce existing habits but limit opportunities for development. In contrast, new situations—while stressful—encourage problem-solving, adaptability, and resilience.
Research shows that moderate levels of stress can improve performance, a concept known as “optimal anxiety.” Too little stress leads to boredom, while too much can overwhelm. However, individuals who learn to tolerate uncertainty are more likely to succeed in unfamiliar circumstances.
Importantly, growth does not occur instantly. It requires repeated exposure to challenges and the willingness to move beyond what feels safe.
Which details support the idea of “optimal anxiety”?
Select ALL that apply:
A. “Too little stress leads to boredom”
B.“Growth often requires discomfort”
C. “Too much can overwhelm”
D. “New situations… encourage problem-solving”
E. “Growth does not occur instantly”
F. “Moderate levels of stress can improve performance”
G. “Individuals remain in familiar environments”
BCF
Imagery in writing is when the author uses...
the use of vivid, sensory-rich language to create mental images and evoke emotions, engaging the senses of sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch
What goes in the parenthesis after a quote?
Passage 1 or Passage 2
The purpose of background info is...
Introduce the text(s) and topics and provide a brief summary
What does the word "callouses" mean in the sentence below?
"Big Tree's fingers were tougher than Ohkwa'ri's, the callouses on them so thick that the glowing coal did not burn them".
a thickened and hardened part of something
What is the portion of the text that you never skip over and always read?
The top part under the title that tells you what it's about
In poetry, what do you call a group of lines?
A stanza.
How long do you have for each part of the test?
1 hour and 45 minutes (105 minutes)
What is the main thing an argumentative essay has that an explanatory essay does not, and what it the purpose of it?
Counter-argument
Where you introduce the other side's POV
Using your knowledge of prefixes and context clues, what does "devoid" mean based on the following sentence?
"Ronald hated the detention room because it was absolutely devoid of warmth and cheer".
Devoid means without.
Passage 4: “The Power of Habit” (Informational Text)
Habits shape much of human behavior, often without individuals realizing it. From the moment people wake up to when they go to sleep, many of their actions follow repeated patterns. Scientists explain that habits form through a cycle known as the “habit loop,” which includes a cue, a routine, and a reward.
The cue triggers the behavior, the routine is the action itself, and the reward reinforces the behavior, making it more likely to occur again. Over time, this loop becomes automatic, requiring less conscious effort. For example, a student who studies at the same time every day may begin to do so without thinking, as the time of day becomes the cue.
However, habits are not permanent. Research suggests that individuals can change their habits by identifying the cue and reward, then replacing the routine with a new behavior. This process requires consistency and patience, as new habits take time to develop and strengthen.
Understanding how habits work allows individuals to take control of their actions. Rather than relying on motivation alone, they can design routines that support long-term goals.
Which details support the idea that habits become automatic over time?
Select ALL that apply:
A. “Habits shape much of human behavior”
B. “Many of their actions follow repeated patterns”
C. “Over time, this loop becomes automatic”
D. “Requiring less conscious effort”
E. “The cue triggers the behavior”
F. “A student who studies at the same time every day may begin to do so without thinking”
G. “Habits are not permanent”
BCDF
Passage 1: “The Bridge” (Literary Text)
Marcus had crossed the old желез bridge a hundred times, but today it felt different. The boards creaked louder beneath his feet, and the river below seemed restless, pushing against its banks as if it, too, wanted to escape.
He paused halfway across. On the other side waited the interview—the one his mother had reminded him about every morning for the past two weeks. “This is your chance,” she would say, pressing his shirt collar flat. “Don’t let fear make your decisions.”
Marcus gripped the railing. The town behind him was familiar, predictable. Ahead was something uncertain, something that demanded more than comfort.
A gust of wind rattled the bridge, and Marcus took a step forward.
Then another.
Which statements best describe how the setting contributes to the theme?
Select ALL that apply:
A. The unstable bridge reflects Marcus’s internal uncertainty
B. The calm river symbolizes Marcus’s confidence
C. The bridge represents a transition between two stages of life
D. The setting emphasizes danger to create a horror tone
E. The movement of the river mirrors Marcus’s pressure to move forward
F. The town behind him symbolizes opportunity and change
ACE
What pieces are in an intro paragraph?
- Hook
- Background Information
- Thesis
What is the purpose of the thesis statement
Answer the prompt
"In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms..."
The word REDRESS most likely means
2. a remedy
Passage 4: “The Power of Habit” (Informational Text)
Habits shape much of human behavior, often without individuals realizing it. From the moment people wake up to when they go to sleep, many of their actions follow repeated patterns. Scientists explain that habits form through a cycle known as the “habit loop,” which includes a cue, a routine, and a reward.
The cue triggers the behavior, the routine is the action itself, and the reward reinforces the behavior, making it more likely to occur again. Over time, this loop becomes automatic, requiring less conscious effort. For example, a student who studies at the same time every day may begin to do so without thinking, as the time of day becomes the cue.
However, habits are not permanent. Research suggests that individuals can change their habits by identifying the cue and reward, then replacing the routine with a new behavior. This process requires consistency and patience, as new habits take time to develop and strengthen.
Understanding how habits work allows individuals to take control of their actions. Rather than relying on motivation alone, they can design routines that support long-term goals.
Which statements best represent central ideas of the passage?
Select ALL that apply:
A. Habits are formed through a repeated cycle of behavior
B. People are always aware of their habits
C. The habit loop includes a cue, routine, and reward
D. Habits cannot be changed once formed
E. New habits require time and consistency
F. Motivation is the only way to change behavior
G. Understanding habits can help people control their actions
pick 4
ACEG
How might a theme be developed in a story? (Hint: think about story elements and how characters influence the theme)
(I would take a lot of answers for this one)
-character's actions
-setting's influence on plot and characters
-character's changing and developing
Passage 5: “The Clockmaker’s Shop” (Literary Text)
The shop had not changed in years. Dust clung to the shelves, and dozens of clocks ticked in uneven rhythm, their sounds overlapping like a quiet argument.
Eli stood in the doorway, unsure whether to step inside. His grandfather had owned this shop, had spent hours bent over delicate gears and springs, insisting that every second mattered. Eli had never understood that.
Until now.
He walked in slowly, the floorboards creaking beneath him. On the workbench lay the same unfinished clock his grandfather had been repairing before he passed away. Its hands were frozen at 3:17.
Eli reached out but stopped short. Fixing it would mean more than just repairing a machine—it would mean accepting something he had spent years avoiding.
Behind him, the door creaked open with the wind, and the ticking grew louder, more insistent.
Eli took a breath and picked up the tools.
Question 12
Which statements best describe how the setting contributes to the meaning of the passage?
Select ALL that apply:
A. The dusty shop reflects the passage of time and neglect
B. The clocks symbolize control over time
C. The uneven ticking creates a sense of tension
D. The shop represents Eli’s connection to his grandfather
E. The setting suggests a cheerful and lively atmosphere
F. The frozen clock highlights a moment that has not moved forward
G. The open door symbolizes Eli’s desire to leave
pick 4
ACDF