Testing Tricks and Tips
True or False: You do not need to read a text completely. You can just skim for answers to questions.
False
Read the sentence:
For my research paper, I studied the giant sculptures on exibit at the museum.
Which change would correct a spelling mistake in the sentence?
A. Change research to reserch.
B. Change giant to giante.
C. Change sculptures to sculpters.
D. Change exibit to exhibit
D. Change exibit to exhibit
What does TDA stand for?
Text Dependent Analysis
Read the text:
Text:
Jordan stared at the worn-out basketball in his hands. He had spent hours practicing layups on the cracked court behind his apartment. Today was the day of tryouts, and his stomach felt like it was doing flips. As he walked toward the gym, he reminded himself, “You’ve practiced every day. You’ve got this.”
What motivates Jordan to try out for the basketball team?
A. He wants to show his new basketball off to his friends.
B. He has practiced regularly and believes in his preparation.
C. He feels pressured by his family to succeed in sports.
D. He hopes to avoid schoolwork by joining a team.
B. He has practiced regularly and believes in his preparation.
You are reading a nonfiction article that explains the ways in which volcanoes and earthquakes are alike and different. What is the text structure?
A. Chronological
B. Problem and Solution
C. Compare and Contrast
D. Cause and Effect
C. Compare and Contrast
What can you use to eliminate answers you know are wrong?
The cross off tool
Which sentence is correctly punctuated?
A. The small town, of Hailey, sits deep in a valley.
B. It is (certainly reasonable) to expect guests to arrive on time.
C. We will, of course, be referring to people by their titles.
D. I quickly opened (my umbrella) just as it started raining
C. We will, of course, be referring to people by their titles.
How many paragraphs should a strong TDA have?
5 paragraphs
Bonus: Name each paragraph. (100 pts)
Read the text.
The emperor penguin lives in one of the harshest environments on Earth: Antarctica. During the brutal winter months, temperatures can drop below -60°F. Yet these birds survive through extraordinary adaptations. They huddle together in large groups, rotating positions so each penguin gets a turn at the warmer center. This social behavior helps them conserve heat and survive long periods without food.
What does the phrase “extraordinary adaptations” suggest about emperor penguins?
A. Their features are similar to other birds.
B. They have basic survival techniques.
C. They have unique traits that help them live in extreme cold.
D. They only survive by being fed by humans.
C. They have unique traits that help them live in extreme cold.
Read the sentence below:
"The student was meticulous when organizing her research notes, carefully labeling each section with color-coded tabs."
What does meticulous most likely mean?
A. Neat and careful
B. Quick but sloppy
C. Lazy and disorganized
D. Bored and annoyed
A. Neat and careful
Why should you review your answers if you have time at the end of the test?
To catch mistakes and fix anything you missed.
Read the sentence.
Earthworms in a person’s garden are helpful for the soil and plants.
Which revision of the sentence provides the most specific information?
A. Earthworms can benefit the soil in people’s gardens in many ways.
B. People often find earthworms when they begin to dig into damp, rich soil.
C. Earthworms dig burrows into the soil, which helps to allow air and water to enter.
D. There are hidden earthworms burrowing through the soil of many people’s gardens.
C. Earthworms dig burrows into the soil, which helps to allow air and water to enter.
Which acronym should you use for your body paragraphs?
TEA
Bonus: What does it stand for? (100 pts)
Read the text.
In 1843, a young inventor named Margaret Knight watched a machine malfunction at a textile mill. At just 12 years old, she designed a safer version using wooden parts. Years later, she would go on to invent a machine that could fold and glue flat-bottomed paper bags—an invention still used today. Despite facing discrimination as a woman in a male-dominated field, Knight secured over 20 patents in her lifetime.
How does the author develop the idea that Margaret Knight was a determined inventor?
A. By listing all of her inventions in detail
B. By describing how she overcame challenges and continued to invent
C. By explaining how machines worked in the 1800s
D. By comparing her to modern-day inventors
B. By describing how she overcame challenges and continued to invent
Which of the following is a compound-complex sentence?
A. I studied for the test.
B. I studied for the test, and I felt confident.
C. Although I was tired, I studied for the test.
D. Although I was tired, I studied for the test, and I felt confident.
D. Although I was tired, I studied for the test, and I felt confident.
Why should you highlight or underline details that seem important?
They might help answer a question or support a response.
Read the paragraph.
(1) Our class was planning a bake sale to raise money for our trip. (2) They decided that we should do it on Thursday after school. (3) Many of us volunteered to bring cakes, cookies, and bread. (4) We raised more than enough money; our sale was a huge success!
Which sentence contains an inappropriate shift in pronoun person?
A. sentence 1
B. sentence 2
C. sentence 3
D. sentence 4
B. sentence 2
What are the components of a strong introduction paragraph?
Context (title & gist), Thesis Statement
Bonus: Name the components of a strong conclusion paragraph. (100 pts)
Read the text.
The moon casts shadows across the street,
Whispers of silver on silent feet.
The world holds still in quiet hush,
A breathless moment, a nighttime hush.
Even the stars seem slow to shine,
As if they wait for a secret sign.
What does the imagery in the poem suggest about the setting?
A. The setting is noisy and full of action.
B. The poem takes place during a lively celebration.
C. The setting is cold and stormy.
D. The setting is a peaceful, still night.
D. The poem describes a peaceful, still night.
Which word has the most positive connotation?
A. Skinny
B. Thin
C. Scrawny
D. Slender
D. Slender
What are some things you can use scratch paper for during the test?
The team with the most correct responses written in a minute will earn the points for this question.
gist of each paragraph or each text
the title of each text
evidence or reasoning for each multiple choice response
pre-reading squares for each text
notes about important parts of the text
Read the paragraph. (1) Plants, just like animals, need certain things to stay alive. (2) Water is one thing that is needed to stay alive by both plants and animals. (3) If a plant does not have water, it will start to look droopy, and its leaves will dry up and eventually fall off the stems. (4) If the plant goes without water for too long, it will die. (5) Plants need other things too, such as air and light. (6) Most plants, but not all, also need soil. (7) Those that do not need soil can get the nutrients, or food, that they need in other ways instead.
Which revision that combines sentences 1 and 2 into one sentence best improves the style of the paragraph?
A. Plants and certain animals are the same in that they need water to stay alive.
B. By plants and animals, water is needed by both to stay alive.
C. Water, by both plants and animals, is needed to stay alive.
D. Plants, just like animals, need water to stay alive.
D. Plants, just like animals, need water to stay alive
What is the difference between evidence and analysis?
Evidence comes from the text and supports the topic sentence.
Analysis explains how or why the evidence supports your thesis.
Read both texts.
Text 1:
Coral reefs support an estimated 25% of all marine life, even though they occupy less than 1% of the ocean floor. These ecosystems rely on a delicate balance. Rising ocean temperatures and pollution have caused large sections of reefs to bleach and die off, threatening countless species that depend on them.
Text 2:
Scientists have begun experimenting with ways to restore damaged coral reefs. One method involves growing coral in underwater nurseries, then transplanting it to dying areas. Another approach uses 3D printing to create artificial reef structures where coral can regrow.
Which statement best summarizes a central idea shared by both passages?
A. Coral reefs can survive without any human help.
B. Coral reefs are no longer useful to marine animals.
C. Coral reefs face serious threats, but people are trying to help.
D. Scientists have given up on saving coral reefs.
C. Coral reefs face serious threats, but people are trying to help.
Which sentence BEST shows how to embed a quote in a TDA response?
A. I think this is true. "He ran from the monster."
B. “He ran from the monster.” That proves my point.
C. The author shows that the character is scared when he says, “He ran from the monster.”
D. The character ran. "He ran from the monster."
C. The author shows that the character is scared when he says, “He ran from the monster.”