FAST Testing 101
Name at least 2 important things you should do the night before and/or the morning of the test?
What is
Go to bed early
Eat a healthy breakfast
(Also accept: Have a positive attitude, go out and play the day before--don't study and stress--get rid of extra energy!!)
When you read a question for the first time, you should....
What is
Read it SLOWLY
Read it at least twice
Highlight key words in the question.
What is a theme?
Theme is a complete thought that communicates the author's message.
It is based on the story but is a message that can be applied to anyone.
For example: It's important to be honest with our friends.
What is the central idea of a text and how do you identify it?
The central idea is the most important point the author is trying to make in the WHOLE text. It is a big idea not details.
Take notes as you read and write a short "gist" about what the text is about. What most of the paragraphs discuss will lead you to central idea
The idea that a heavy bowling ball and a light tennis ball will hit the ground at the same time seems counterintuitive, but gravity acts on them equally in a vacuum.
The prefix counter- means against or opposite
The root intuit means "to look at or consider"
What does counterintuitive mean?
What is
The word literally means going against your instinct or common sense
What is the name of the electronic tool on FAST that helps you focus on one line at a time and why should you use it?
What is
The linereader
It helps you stay focused
After you have read the question carefully, you should NOT...
What is
look at the answer choices BEFORE going back and checking in the text
Know the answer in your head first, before looking at choices.
Explain the meaning of the simile below.
When she's reading, she's like a snail resting inside a paper shell.
She seems comfortable or cozy (at home) when she's reading a book.
How does the author use pathos in the following text?
"Every day, thousands of children go to bed hungry. Maria, a 9-year-old from Detroit, often skips meals so her younger siblings can eat. She dreams of having a full lunch box like her classmates. Your donation can change a child's life and give them hope for a better future."
Using emotional appeals make you feel something—sadness, compassion, or hope—here we feel sad and troubled by Maria's situation. The author hopes that those feelings will cause us to make a donation.
The Greek prefix dys- means bad or difficut
The Latin root function means "to perform" or "work"
What is the meaning of dysfunction?
What is
working badly or impaired performance
What is the name of the tool that you use that will help you quickly find important information and keywords in the text?
What is
Highlighting tool
One strategy that is your ticket to success on FAST is to....
What is
Before reviewing answer choices, GO BACK and review the paragraph and know the answer in your head first before looking at the choices.
The prevents you from getting "tricked" into selecting the wrong answer
Define
ethos, pathos, and logos
What is
Ethos: Credibility or trust (you can trust me)
Pathos: Connects with your feelings or emotions
Logos: Convinces you through logic or facts
How does the author use Ethos in the following sentence?
"According to Dr. James Mitchell, a cardiovascular surgeon with 20 years of experience at Johns Hopkins Hospital, regular exercise strengthens your heart and reduces the risk of heart disease by 35%."
Ethos: Uses someone that is trustworthy (an experienced surgeon) to support a claim. The author hopes that by taking an expert like Dr. Mitchell's advice we will be persuaded to exercise regulary to prevent heart disease.
What is the difference between a formal and informal tone?
A formal tone is serious and objective (not opinionated) factual
An informal tone is relaxed, conversation, and more personal
This tool is used to jot down the gist of each paragraph or important information as you read.
The notepad
What strategy and tool do you use if you cannot identify the correct answer?
What is
Use the strikethrough tool to cross of answers that are definitely wrong
If you're stuck....
Always choose the answer that most closely matches the main point of the passage.
NEVER EVER just guess.
Define (narrator, character, or author's) perspective.
What is
A perspective is what a (character, narrator, or author) believes or feels about the topic.
An example of 3 different perspectives: "Maya walked into the cafeteria nervously. At the same table, Jordan was hoping someone new would sit with them. The principal was watching from her office, thinking about the new student."
Is the following pathos, ethos, or logos? Explain why.
"Studies show that getting eight hours of sleep improves memory by 20%"
What is
Logos tries to convince the reader by using factual scientific reasoning.
If this is true, then getting a good night's sleep before FAST will help me achieve a higher score!
Name at least 3 different types of text structures.
Chronological order, cause and effect, comparison and contrast, problem and solution, question and answer, description,
Name 4 electronics that should be powered down and/or placed in backpacks. Finding these items on you will result in your test being invalidated.
What is
Cell phones
Smartwatches
Smart glasses
wireless headphones (earbuds)
FAST is an adaptive test. What does this mean?
What is
The computer grades the test as you go and assigns you levels based on how you are answering the questions. If you miss, it gives you a lower level, if you get correct, it gives you a higher level.
It grades your answers when you select the "Next" button
What are the three points of view?
What is
A point of view is the position in which the story is told.
1st person: Narrator is a character and uses "I" or "me"
2nd person: You, your
3rd Person: He, she (outside narrator)
Read the following argument:
Our school should not switch to digital textbooks. If we do this, students will spend all their time playing games and no one will learn anything!
Which fallacy is this?
Ad Hominem
OR
Slipper Slope
Slippery Slope: The author assumes that one small change will cause an extreme negative change and does not provide EVIDENCE!
Ad Hominem is a personal attack on someone without EVIDENCE!
The last two lines of a Villanelle or Sonnet is a rhyming couplet that offers a powerful final statement or resolution to the problem.