Test Taking Strategies
Removing answers that are not relevant to the question or make no sense
What is process of elimination
S in RACES
What is summarize your response
What is one reason people might not get enough sleep?
A. They sleep too much on weekends.
B. They spend too much time on screens.
C. They don’t like sleeping at night.
D. They don’t have enough blankets.
B. They spend too much time on screens.
Why is Tyrell nervous when he first enters the classroom?
A. He doesn’t know the teacher.
B. It is his third school in two years.
C. He’s afraid of the other students.
D. He has no friends at the school.
B. It is his third school in two years.
"The sun sank lower in the sky, and a cool breeze whispered through the trees, making the leaves dance."
What does the word "whispered" most likely mean in this sentence?
A. Shouted loudly
B. Moved gently
C. Made a soft sound
D. Was very hot
C. Made a soft sound
If you do not understand how an essay prompt is worded, after using context clues you should do this
What is Reword the prompt or put the prompt in your own words
Restate the question means
turn the question into a statement
What is the primary purpose of the passage?
A. To describe how people sleep differently.
B. To explain why sleep is important.
C. To provide tips for getting better sleep.
D. To explain why sleep is dangerous.
C. To provide tips for getting better sleep.
How does the boy with the soccer ball help Tyrell?
A. He teaches Tyrell how to play soccer.
B. He tells Tyrell where to sit.
C. He invites Tyrell to play soccer at recess.
D. He helps Tyrell with his homework.
C. He invites Tyrell to play soccer at recess.
"Despite her trepidation, Maria took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage, trying not to show how scared she felt."
What does the word "trepidation" most likely mean in this sentence?
A. Confidence
B. Fear or anxiety
C. Excitement
D. Anger
B. Fear or anxiety
After reading the essay question, PRIOR to starting your essay this should be done
What is planning/drafting your response
Restate this question
Question: How does Maria’s role help move the plot forward in the story "A Journey of Discovery"?
Maria’s role helps move the plot forward in the story "A Journey of Discovery" by
Based on the passage, why might someone who spends a lot of time on screens have trouble sleeping?
A. They are tired from staying up late.
B. The blue light from screens can interfere with sleep.
C. They drink too much water before bed.
D. They are too busy doing other things.
B. The blue light from screens can interfere with sleep.
What can be inferred about Tyrell’s experience at his new school?
A. He is excited to meet new people.
B. He feels anxious and unsure about fitting in.
C. He loves being the center of attention.
D. He is confident about making new friends.
B. He feels anxious and unsure about fitting in.
"The athletes were exhausted after the marathon, but they felt exhilarated when they crossed the finish line, knowing they had accomplished something great."
What does the word "exhilarated" most likely mean in this sentence?
A. Depressed
B. Very happy or excited
C. Confused
D. Nervous
B. Very happy or excited
This strategy means going back into the text to find a sentence or phrase that supports your answer.
What is citing your evidence
This answer is missing what parts of RACES
Answer: Alex’s curiosity helps his family during the unexpected part of their trip. He uses what he knows to help them in the forest.
Cite text evidence
Explain Text Evidence
Summarize your response
What is the central idea of the passage?
A. Sleep is something kids don’t enjoy.
B. Sleep has no effect on health.
C. Sleep helps the body and brain function properly.
D. Sleep is mostly important for adults.
Which sentence from the passage best supports the answer to Part A?
A. “Scientists recommend that middle schoolers get 9 to 11 hours of sleep each night.”
B. “Without enough sleep, our thinking can get slower, and our mood can change.”
C. “Most people know that sleep is important…”
D. “To get better sleep, experts suggest turning off screens…”
C. Sleep helps the body and brain function properly.
B. “Without enough sleep, our thinking can get slower, and our mood can change.”
What does the word “blend in” most likely mean in paragraph 2?
A. Become invisible
B. Stay quiet
C. Be noticed
D. Not stand out
Question 5 (Part B):
Which detail helps the reader understand what “blend in” means?
A. “A boy with a soccer ball slid into the seat across from him.”
B. “He sat at the end of a crowded table, hoping to blend in.”
C. “It was the third school he’d attended in two years.”
D. “Tyrell looked at the floor, pretending not to hear.”
D. Not stand out
B. “He sat at the end of a crowded table, hoping to blend in.”
"After the storm passed, the once murky waters began to clear, and fish could be seen swimming near the shore."
What does the word "murky" most likely mean in this sentence?
A. Cloudy or unclear
B. Clean and clear
C. Shiny
D. Dark and mysterious
A. Cloudy or unclear
If you do not understand the question you should do this
Reread the question
You wrote a short answer response that includes a restated question, an answer, and a quote from the text.
What two parts of the RACES strategy are still missing?
Explain text evidence and Summarize the response
What does the word “vital” most likely mean in the sentence: “Sleep is not just resting—it’s a vital process…”
A. Boring
B. Dangerous
C. Fun
D. Necessary
Which detail best helps the reader understand what “vital” means in the passage?
B. “The brain organizes memories and clears out unnecessary information.”
C. “One reason is screen time."
D. “Without enough sleep, our thinking can get slower…”
D. Necessary
B. “The brain organizes memories and clears out unnecessary information.”
Which theme is best shown in the story?
A. Starting over is always hard.
B. Trying new things can lead to connection.
C. Sports are more important than school.
D. Being alone is better than fitting in.
Question 2 (Part B):
Which sentence from the passage best supports the answer to Part A?
A. “Tyrell stood outside the classroom door…”
B. “He sat at the end of a crowded table, hoping to blend in.”
C. “The boys cheered. A grin spread across Tyrell’s face…”
D. “It was the third school he’d attended in two years.”
B. Trying new things can lead to connection.
C. “The boys cheered. A grin spread across Tyrell’s face…”
"The teacher gave a succinct explanation of the new topic, ensuring that the students understood it in a few short sentences."
What does the word "succinct" most likely mean in this sentence?
A. Long and detailed
B. Confusing and unclear
C. Brief and to the point
D. Complicated and hard to follow
C. Brief and to the point