What does a good reader read before beginning an MCAS passage?
The italicized section, the title, the author, the multiple choice questions, and the open response prompt.
100
What part of speech is a person, place, idea or thing?
A noun
100
What is a form of figurative language that compares two things and does not use the words "like" or "as"
EXAMPLE: Love is a beautiful rose.
Metaphor
100
How would you restate this prompt as an opening sentence?
Based on the selection, describe what the author’s first experience with a volcano was like. Support your answer with important information from the selection.
The author's first experience with a volcano was....
100
What should the first sentence (topic sentence) of your open response should do?
It should restate the question (TTQA)
200
What does a good reader highlight in the questions and the text?
In a question, good readers highlight the WHERE (paragraph 3) and WHAT. In the text, good readers highlight the answers to questions. Good readers DO NOT highlight random sentences or words that do not answer questions.
200
What describes a noun? (Example: The FUZZY, BLUE blanket was on the couch.)
An adjective
200
What is a form of figurative language that directly compares two things by using the words "like" or "as"?
EXAMPLE: Her eyes sparkle like diamonds.
Simile
200
How would you restate this prompt as an opening sentence?
Explain how the author makes the selection both entertaining and informative. Support your answer with important details from the selection.
The author makes the selection both entertaining and informative in many ways.
200
How many examples should you include in your open response?
At least three examples
300
What part of speech is "fold" in this sentence.
The sheep returned to the fold after the sun went down.
"Fold" is a noun here-a place the sheep went
300
What is the verb in the following sentence: The child thought about her dog all day.
Thought (to think)
300
What is a form of figurative language that gives human traits to objects, animals or ideas?
EXAMPLE: The rain danced on the roof all night long.
Personification
300
How would you restate this prompt as an opening sentence?
Based on the article, explain the positive and negative effects of the use of bottled water. Support your answer with important details from the article.
There are many positive and negative effects of the use of bottled water.
300
Name a pre-writing activity that will help you organize your thoughts before you begin writing your open response.
Creating a graphic organizer: web, t-chart, two column notes, bullets, sentence starters
400
Name the four reasons why an author writes something (author's purpose):
1. to entertain
2. to express feelings
3. to inform
4. to persuade
400
Use a pronoun in place of the capitalized nouns:
ANGELICA and RUBEN swept the entire classroom.
They
400
What is obvious and intentional exaggeration?
EXAMPLE: I am so hungry I could eat a horse.
Hyperbole
400
How would you restate this prompt as an opening sentence?
Based on the selection, explain how Jonathan is different from other seagulls. Support your answer with important details from the selection.
Jonathan is different from other seagulls in many ways.
400
Does "citing" mean only taking EXACT quotes from the text or does paraphrasing count as citing too?
Citing is taking any kind of evidence from the text-exact quotes or paraphrased information
500
How does a good reader double-check their MCAS test?
Good readers reread each story, reread each multiple choice question and make sure they picked the best answer, and reread the open response question and their response to make sure they have done their absolute best on the entire test!!!!
500
What is the adverb in the following sentence:
Jamari quickly waled home through the neighborhood.
Quickly
500
What do you call a word that imitates (sounds like) the sound it represents?
EXAMPLE: buzz, bang, crackle, pop
Onomatopoeia
500
How would you restate this prompt as an opening sentence?
Based on the article, explain what climbers can learn from practicing at indoor gyms. Support your answer with important information from the article.
Climbers can learn many things from practicing at indoor gyms.
500
It is important that your open response has a good balance of your own words and direct quotes from the text. Remember the whole point is for you to explain HOW your evidence proves your answer. What sentence frames can you use to create this balance?
In paragraph ______ it states "_____________________." This shows _________________________________.