MCAS
During the MCAS
Essay Questions
Strategies
Potpourri
100
What is one thing you can do the night before to be ready for the test?
Eat a good dinner and get plenty of sleep.
100
TRUE or FALSE - Reading the purpose setting statement is very important.
True.
100
Why does reading the essay question before reading a text such a good idea?
If your read the essay question first, then you might know what information/details to look for while you read.
100
What should you do to make sure you understand the question?
Read the entire question, determine what type of question it is (right there, think and search, author and me), highlight the who and the what of the question
100

How can you earn a high score on the MCAS narrative writing section? 

have a clear beginning middle and end, write multiple paragraphs, use narrative techniques 
200
What should you do before school on testing days?
Eat a healthy breakfast.
200
TRUE or FALSE: All the questions in the MCAS will be multiple choice?
False
200
What should you do before you answer a writing prompt question (3 answers required!)?
Determine the type of writing, jot down what the question is asking you to write about, plan your essay
200
How can you be sure you answered the question right?
Rereading the text and find and evidence to support your answer is a good strategy to make sure you answered the question correctly.
200
Name some narrative writing qualities
dialogue, descriptive language, foreshadowing, building tension
300
What is the favorite candy of test-takers?
Jolly Rangers? Mints? Life Savers?
300
Which word is the adjective? read, red, book, quickly
red  Remember an adjective describes a noun
300
What can you draw on your scrap paper to help you plan your essay question?
a graphic organizer or an outline
300
What strategy helps with multiple choice questions?
eliminate all the answers that don't make sense then choose between what is left.
300
Two great things about the MCAS testing week.
no homework and extra recess
400
What should you do when you get the classroom on the days of testing?
Get unpacked, clear your desk, stay calm, don't stress out and focus!
400
TRUE or FALSE: It is important that students support their writing with evidence form the text and not their opinion.
TRUE
400
What can you use to help you answer to essay question?
The story and the other questions asked about the text.
400
What do the words illustrate, demonstrate, reason mean when they are used in the test?
They all mean "to show"
400

How can you earn a high score on the MCAS persuasive essay writing section (3 answers required)? 

be sure to include an introduction and conclusion paragraph, include multiple pieces of evidence, include reasoning explanation for each piece of evidence
500
What do you need to to do on the test?
Your very best!
500

What does the word passage mean in the test?

Passage is another word for text.

500
What should you do to make sure you are answering the question correctly?
Restate the question in your answer by using it in your introduction, claim, or topic sentence.
500
How long should an essay or narrative response to a prompt be? 
At least 3 paragraphs
500
What should be included in an introduction paragraph for a persuasive or informational essay?
title and author of text, a one sentence summary of the text, claim or topic sentence
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