Test Taking Strategies
A strategy you use before reading the passage
Read the questions and underline key words
Cara was never late for school. She left the house at precisely 8:23 each morning and arrived just before the first bell rang.
The meaning of the word precisely is...
Exactly
The meaning of "Determine the theme"
To find the message/lesson/moral of the story
When you see the phrase "Write a story", then you are to respond with this type of writing
Narrative Writing
The definition of "Making a Claim"
A statement without any proof or evidence
Your opening sentence
The amount of time you should set aside for answering the writing prompt
30 minutes
The prisoner was always hungry. He was given only a meager portion of rice, and a bowl of thin soup twice a day.
The meaning of the word meager is...
Small
The meaning of "Author's Point of View"
How the author's feels and thinks about the topic they wrote about
When you see phrases like "Write an essay", or "Explain why", or "Describe two ways" you are to respond with this type of writing
An Analysis Writing (RACES strategy)
Describe one effect of the Columbian Exchange
Possible Answers:
Brought disease
Developed new cash crops
Helped economic growth and trade
The mindfulness technique that could help you stay calm and focused during the test
Chicken fingers
When Carlos got the chicken pox, he had to stay away from his brothers so that he would not contaminate them.
The meaning of the word contaminate is...
Infect
The meaning of "overall structure"
How the overall/entire text is built or organized
The way a multi-paragraph writing should be organized
Introduction (Opening Sentences/RA)
Body (RACE)
Conclusion (S)
Name two characteristics of a civilization
Religion
Surplus Food
Accumulated Learning
Planned Infrastructure
Economy/Jobs
Government
Arts
Trade
System of Tribute
Name something you can do if you see an unfamiliar word
Sound it out
Look at the root/base word
Use context clues
The boys had not seen the storm coming in. They built a makeshift shelter from branches they found on the ground and hoped that help would come soon.
An antonym of the word makeshift is...
Permanent
The meaning of "chronological order"
a text that is organized in sequence (first, next, then, last, etc)
Do this with your writing before finishing the test
(Any of the following)
Proofread It
Edit it
Check for Mistakes
Define the word "alliance".
The Native Americans formed an alliance with the European settlers.
when two groups of people come together to benefit one another
When you see a large writing prompt, you should keep calm and find this
The key sentence (the sentence that tells you what to do)
As the author of the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling is a prominent writer in the field of children's literature.
A synonym of the word prominent is...
Well-known
The meaning of the word "contribute"
Help
Add to
Relate to
Develop an opening sentence based on the below key sentence from a writing prompt.
"Describe how Connor's reaction compared to Daniel's reaction after they saw the bear at the campsite."
(Answers may vary.)
Connor's reaction to the bear at the campsite was extremely different to the way Daniel reacted to the bear after seeing it.
Both Connor and Daniel had similar reactions once they saw the bear, but they also reacted differently as well.
Two reasons why settlers needed to be close to the water
(Possible answers)
To trade
To travel
To fish