Testing Basics
The first thing you should do, BEFORE you even start reading the text.
What is...
Determine if it is a STORY, ARTICLE or POEM?
(Figure out what kind of text it is, determine the text type)
This term means the message or lesson that a text teaches readers.
What is the central idea?
The suggested acronym to use for annotating an informational text.
What is T.I.M.?
Topic - Important Details - Message
(What is the topic? What important details do I learn about this topic? What is the message or lesson I learn about this topic from reading this?)
This this term means "a part, or selection from a larger text".
What is an "excerpt"?
The meaning of "feature" as it is used in the sentence below.
"One of the spiders' most interesting features is it's ability to create and spread spider silk."
What is characteristic,
(specific skill, element, or part = OK)
Where you should look to determine the text type IF it is not in the directions.
Where is THE QUESTIONS?
This term has to do with how a text is organized.
What is structure?
The suggested acronym to use when annotating a narrative text.
What is CPM?
(Character, Problem, Message)
What do we learn about the character? What is the problem or problems the character faces? What message or lesson does this text teach readers?
The meaning of theme.
What is "a lesson or message readers learn from the text"?
The meaning of despite.
What is even though, in spite of, in opposition to, regardless of
The approximate amount of time the ELA State Exam should take each day.
What is about 3 and half hours?
This term describes the general feeling or "vibe" of the text.
What is the tone?
The suggested acronym to use when reading and annotating a poem.
What is STM?
(Symbol, Tone, Message)
What metaphors or symbols are used? What is the tone of the poem? What message or lesson does this poem teach readers?
This term means a brief recap or overview of the most important events in the text.
What is a summary?
The meaning of "cleverly" as it is used in the sentence below.
The girl winked at her friend as she cleverly slid the note from Charlie into her friends' awaiting hand under the desk.
What is secretly, sneakily, on the sly?
The FOUR MOST important things to keep in mind when planning and writing your Extended Response (to the 4 point question).
What is:
- 4 points = 4 boxes for a 4 paragraph answer
- 4 points = 4 pieces of evidence (8 "quotation" marks in total)
- Answer the Question about both texts (in the first box/Intro paragraph)
- Use the words "in conclusion" in your last box (concluding paragraph).
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This term means the main reason that the author wrote the text.
What is the author's purpose?
The likely text type based on the following question:
How does paragraph 3 develop the plot?
What is a story?
(Narrative, or fiction = ok)
Another way of asking the question:
How does paragraph 3 develop the plot of the text?
What is
How does paragraph 3 add to the story or move the storyline forward?
The meaning of "burrows" as it is used in the sentence below:
In areas where humans had long hunted them, the prairie dogs dove into their burrows to hide.
What is an underground tunnel?
*Secret hiding spot, secluded area, safe place = OK!
What is SLEEP and EAT!
Get a good night's rest the night before! (Aim for at least 9 hours!)
Give yourself energy! (Eat a healthy breakfast on the day of the test! Also pack water and snacks!)
This term refers to a text structure that goes "in order" from beginning to end.
What is chronological structure of chronological order?
The likely text type based on the following question:
Which detail would most likely appear under the following heading?
What is an article?
(Informational, or non-fiction = ok).
Another way of asking:
How does line 23 contribute to the development of the theme of story?
What is:
How does line 23 add to the lesson of the story or help teach the lesson of the story?
The meaning of monstrous and strewn as they are used in the sentence below.
The monstrous pines appear like small green pearls strewn across the landscape from this height.
What is extremely large, tall?
What is spread out, spread across?