Multiple Choice Strategies
What is the first thing you should do when you start the test?
Read the directions.
What should you do if you get bored during the test?
Remind yourself that part of the test is pushing through, even if you're bored.
Yes! You must complete it.
In an objective summary, do you include your own opinions?
If you're asked to write a narrative, what are you being asked to do?
Write a story.
If there are circles beside answer choices for a multiple choice test, how many answers do you pick?
One
Should you take a nap during the test?
No.
What should go in a body paragraph?
Topic sentence, evidence (x 2) , explanation (x 2)
What information do you put in an objective summary?
Who, what, when, where, why, how (if needed)
What is the difference between first person and third person?
First person - the narrator is in the story and telling the story (I, me, my)
Third person - the narrator is not in the story and sometimes knows the thoughts and feelings of characters (He, they, she)
- Eliminate the bad answers
- Guess and check
- Choose the answer that directly answers the question
If you get overwhelmed during the test, what is one thing you can do?
1. Ask to get water or go to the bathroom.
2. Take a short break and draw on your scratch paper.
3. Take few deep breaths and try again.
What is the thesis statement made up of?
The ideas from your body paragraph topic sentences.
What is this prompt asking you to do?
The story “Departure” describes a character leaving home, and the passage from “Up the Coolly” describes a character returning home. Write an essay that analyzes how the narrators relate the events about the journeys in a manner that builds mystery and/or tension. Be sure to use support from both texts in developing your response.
Write an essay that breaks down how the narrators talk about the events in the story in a way that builds mystery or tension (suspense).
What are 3 elements of narrative writing that you should include in your response?
dialogue, descriptive/sensory details, figurative language, a plot
If there are boxes beside the answer choice, what does that mean?
Square boxes beside answer choices mean that you need to pick multiple answers.
What should you do if the text you're reading is too boring to focus on?
Instead of trying to read the whole text, just look for the answers to multiple choice questions.
What should you do if you're not sure what to write about?
Use the information from the multiple choice questions to guide you.
- The multiple choice questions are on the same topic as the essay prompt
- Use the evidence from the multiple choice questions as your evidence in your body paragraph
What is this prompt asking you to do?
Write an essay that compares and contrasts a primary argument in each text that you have read regarding the decision to drop the atomic bomb. Your essay should explain how effectively you think each author supported that claim with reasoning and/or evidence. Be sure to use evidence from the three texts to support your ideas.
Compare and the arguments used in the texts about the decision to drop the atomic bomb. Tell how effectively the authors supported their claims with evidence or reasoning.
Read the following mini-narrative. What could be added to make it stronger?
Ms. Queen sat at her desk working on paperwork. As students came in the classroom, she said good morning to the students. Some of the students said good morning back.
Dialogue, descriptive/sensory language
When Janylah walked in to class, Ms. Queen was at her desk working at her desk.
"Good morning!" She greeted Janylah cheerfully.
"Morning Ms. Queen! How was your break?" Janylah asked as she wrote her name on the sign-in sheet.
If you get stuck on a multiple choice question, what should you do?
Move on and then go back to it after a few minutes.
If a text doesn't make sense to you, what should you do?
Go back and read the information that comes before the text. Sometimes the text won't make sense unless you read this information.
What should you do if you don't have time to write an introduction, conclusion, and body paragraphs?
Write a thesis, your body paragraphs, and a concluding statement (repeat the thesis).
What is the prompt asking you to do?
This passage is written as a first-person narrative told from Miss Summerson’s point of view. Write a narrative story that describes the major events in the passage from the point of view of the stranger, emphasizing his thoughts and feelings about Mr. Skimpole, Miss Summerson, and Richard.
Write a narrative from the stranger's POV. Tell how he feels about Mr. Skimpole, Ms. Summerson, and Richard.
What does plot consist of?
Beginning, middle, end
OR
Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution