Multiple-Choice Questions
What is the one piece of advice that most makes the difference between students who do well and students who do mediocre?
Go back to the text
What is the one five-letter word that will most ensure that you get all two points, and for what does each letter stand?
AQEQE. A = Answer, Q = Quotation, E = Explanation, Q = Quotation, E = Explanation
How many paragraphs should be in the four-point response, and how do you show that a new paragraph is starting?
There must be four paragraphs (minimum); you indicate that a new paragraph is starting by indenting (hitting the space bar five times) and skipping a line between the two paragraphs.
In the multiple-choice section, the main wrong-answer trap is an option that IS in the text but...?
...doesn't answer the question.
In the four-point response, what should the last sentence of the introduction be?
The thesis statement (summarizing your answer for the entire prompt).
Where should you start reading the passage?
At the very top, with the italic section (if there is an italic section)
How many quotations should you have in your response?
At least two
Do you have to have an introduction paragraph?
Yes. They care deeply.
In the multiple-choice section, one wrong-answer trap is that an option SOUNDS smart, but it isn't...?
...in the text.
What is the overall structure (form) of an introduction paragraph for the four-point response?
Funnel introduction (general/broad to specific)
What is the strategy that you should use every time if they ask you about a particular word or phrase?
Sub it in, sub it in. Substitute EACH of the four possible choices into the sentence and see which one actually makes sense.
What is the minimum number of sentences that you should have in your response?
At minimum five
Do you have to have a conclusion paragraph?
Yes. They care deeply.
For the two-point response, the worst pitfall is that what you write simply doesn't...?
...answer the question.
In the four-point response, how many sentences must the introduction be?
At least three
What is the strategy you should use every time they ask a main idea / central idea / "what is this passage mostly about" question?
The correct answer choice will be something that is present, in some form, in all or almost all paragraphs. Each wrong answer will be present in only one or two (or zero) paragraphs.
What must every quotation do?
Every quotation must support your answer
What is the overall structure of the four-point response, naming what each paragraph is or does?
Introduction, AQEQE (Body), AQEQE (Body), Conclusion
For the two-point response, one pitfall is that the question/prompt mentions a specific paragraph or paragraphs but you...?
...don't get your quotations from the paragraph or paragraphs that the prompt mentioned.
In the four-point response, how many sentences must the conclusion be?
At least two
What are three words that might make an answer choice "too extreme" (unlikely to be correct)?
Possible answers: always, never, all, none, most, least
What must every explanation do?
Every explanation must explain how your quotations supports your answer.
How many quotations must you have in your response?
At least four.
For the two-point response, one pitfall is that your quotations simply don't...?
...support your answer (or you don't explain well how they support your answer).
In the four-point response, what should the first sentence of the conclusion do?
It should restate your thesis WITHOUT being repetitive (by stating why it is important or why it matters)