Common Test Questions & Vocab
Common Test Questions & Vocab
Reading the
Passages
Multiple Choice Test Questions
Short Answer Questions & The Essay
100
What is the THEME of a story?
the message, moral or lesson
100
"Which of the following details least supports the central idea of the passage?" In this question I have to find the answer choice that does NOT really ______________the central idea.
support
100
What are at least 2 things you should do BEFORE reading each passage?
1. Read the directions 2. Read the questions you will have to answer. 3. Read the title of the article, story or poem 4. Read the subheadings 5. Look at any pictures and captions
100
What should you do if you are not sure what answer choice is the correct one? a) Don't bubble in any answer and leave it blank b) Spend 15 minutes trying to decide on an answer c) Eliminate the obvious wrong answer choices and then make an educated guess
C
100
How can you get full credit (2 out of 2) on your short answer questions? In other words, what should you do when you are answering the short answer questions?
1. Restate the question & answer it (making an inference). 2. Provide 2 pieces of evidence (quotes!). 3. Explain your evidence.
200

"How does paragraph 4 CONTRIBUTE to the development of ideas in the text?" In this question, I am being asked how paragraph 4 _____________ the development of ideas in the passage.

adds to, builds on

200
"What do the character’s actions in paragraph 3 REVEAL about him?" The word reveal means ______________.
shows, uncovers, unveils
200

True or False: you shouldn't chunk and annotate the passages as you read because it is distracting and wastes time.

FALSE! You SHOULD annotate the text because it helps you better understand what you are reading and will help you answer the questions. Also, the test is not timed, so you can take as long as you need to!

200
Why should you underline or circle key words in the questions?
To help you understand EXACTLY what each question is asking you and help you know what to focus on when you read the passage. The questions are often tricky and if you don't read them carefully and focus on the key words you might make a careless mistake when answering the question!
200
True or False: You should always reread what you wrote before moving on to the next question. Why or why not?
TRUE! You should always reread what you wrote as your answer to make sure that... 1. You didn't make any careless mistakes in spelling, punctuation or grammar that would make it difficult for someone to understand. 2. You made an inference in your answer and provided TWO pieces of evidence. 3. You actually answered the EXACT question you are being asked to answer
300

"Which of the sentences from the passage best supports the author’s central idea?" In this question the word best tells me that all the answer choices could be _____________, but I have to find the ______________ answer.

correct best

300
“What can you INFER about the main character based on the information in paragraph 3?" The word infer means _________________________
to make an education guess or conclusion based on evidence, prior knowledge (background knowledge), and logical reasoning.
300

What are at least 3 things you can do to annotate/chunk the passages you are reading?

1. Underline or highlight important words and sentences. 2. Circle words you don't know and use context clues to try to figure out what the words mean. 3. Write questions and notes in the margins.

300
True or False: You should read all the answer choices, even if the first or second answer sounds correct to you.
TRUE! Almost every question will have 2 answer choices that are somewhat easy to eliminate and then 1 answer choice that is there to trick you! So you should read and reread each answer choice carefully and check back to the text to make sure you are choosing the correct answer and not the trick answer!
300
What are some ways you can use your planing page before starting to write your essay?
(1) Make a T-chart, a Venn Diagram or a 3-Column chart for compare & contrast essays. (2) Jot down notes about what you plan to write in each paragraph of your essay. (3) Look back at the text and then write down all the possible pieces of evidence you might want to use (that way you can choose from those pieces of evidence while writing your essay). 4. Students may offer another option (as long as it sounds reasonable/logical, answer may be accepted and points granted)
400
"How does the author’s ALLUSION to Pandora’s Box contribute to the meaning of paragraph 4?" The word allusion means _________________
Allusion means "reference". Eg: In a story one of the characters may ask his friend, "Why did you jump off the roof? Were you trying to be Superman?!" The character is making an ALLUSION or reference to another story/movie (Superman). You may also see a question that uses the word "alludes". ("Why does the author allude to Pandora’s Box in paragraph 4?"). This is the verb form of allusion.
400
"Which sentence from the article best reveals the author's POINT OF VIEW?" The authors "point of view" means the author's __________
perspective, viewpoint, opinion
400

Character Trait
Read the passage: Jalen stayed after school to help his teacher organize books, even though he wanted to go home.
Which trait best describes Jalen?
A. Selfish
B. Helpful
C. Lazy
D. Nervous

B. Helpful 

400
Your teachers always tell you to "go back and check your work" when you are done. How should you "check your work" on the state test?
Reread each question carefully and the answer you chose, and check the text again to make sure you still think that is the right answer. Also, make sure you have bubbled in ALL the questions on your scantron
400

How many paragraphs should your essay have?

The number of paragraphs will vary depending on the question; however, you should have an introduction, at least 1 body paragraph (using ACE), and a conclusion. If the essay question asks you to compare and contrast two texts, then you should have 2 body paragraphs. If the essay question asks you to state an author's argument, and then evaluate whether the author provided sufficient evidence, then you should also have 2 body paragraphs (the first paragraph to talk about the author's argument, and the second paragraph to discuss whether the author provides sufficient evidence).

500

Read the passage: First, the seeds were planted in rich soil. Next, they were watered daily. Finally, small sprouts appeared after two weeks.
Which text structure is used in this passage?
A. Compare and contrast
B. Cause and effect
C. Problem and solution
D. Sequence/chronological order

D. Sequence/chronological order

500

Read the passage: Ethan checked the clock three times, tapped his pencil rapidly, and stared at the unopened envelope on his desk.
What can the reader most likely infer?
A. Ethan is bored.
B. Ethan is nervous about what is inside the envelope.
C. Ethan forgot how to tell time.
D. Ethan is ready to leave school.

B. Ethan is nervous about what is inside the envelope.

500

Author’s Purpose
Read the passage: To make a peanut butter sandwich, first spread peanut butter on one slice of bread, then add jelly, and place the second slice on top.
What is the author’s purpose?
A. To entertain
B. To persuade
C. To explain how to do something
D. To describe a place

C. To explain how to do something

500

Read the sentence: The endless delays and careless mistakes made the project nearly impossible to finish on time.
What is the author’s tone?
A. Admiring
B. Humorous
C. Frustrated
D. Hopeful

C. Frustrated

500

What is the name for the statement in an essay that directly answers the prompt and controls the entire response?


Claim

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