Testing Strategies
The FIRST thing you do when you see a passage
Identify the text type
Where to find the central/main idea of a text quickly
Title, first paragraph, and last paragraph
List three different text types
Argumentative, informational, poetry, narrative, speech
The overarching message in a text
THEME
Edit or NO CHANGE
I saw a deer in the woods it had a white tail.
I saw a deer in the woods; it had a white tail.
The first thing you should do when you see the multiple choice questions
Eliminate TWO
A conclusion based on the basis of evidence and reasoning
Inference– what the author infers
The speaker in a narrative is the _ and the speaker in an informational is the _.
Narrator, author
The sentence at the beginning of each paragraph.
Edit or NO CHANGE
The students are traveling to Paris, to London, and Chicago.
The students are traveling to Paris, London, and Chicago.
The four LEAD testing habits
Look Alive, Every Q counts, Annotate, Don't stop!
What you should do first when given the following passage:
In paragraph 10, what is the effect of the phrases "practice run" and "brace for impact" on the passage?
GO BACK TO THE TEXT
When reading a poem, you label each paragraph as a _ and each sentence as a _.
stanza, line
The difference between convey and establish
Convey: to express a thought, feeling or idea
Establish: Firm or permanent basis
Convey is rooted in personal opinion, whereas establish is rooted in fact
Edit or NO CHANGE
After making a touchdown in football, a team can score again either by kicking the ball through the goal posts or to run the ball into the end zone.
After making a touchdown in football, a team can score again either by kicking the ball through the goal posts or by running the ball into the end zone.
The types of words you should identify as problematic when reading the multiple choice options
ABSOLUTE words– all, none, every, always, never, only, must
What you should AWLAYS do when reading any passage and answering multiple choice options
STAY WITHIN THE TEXT- never insert your own opinions and/or ideas
When asked how a specific paragraph contributes to the development of ideas in an informative text, which option should you select:
A. It argues that...
B. It emphasizes the point...
C. It signifies the...
D. It explains how...
D: It EXPLAINS how...
What you should look for if you do not know the meaning of the words in a text
Context clues
Edit or NO CHANGE
My son likes lemon scones, however I like blueberry scones.
My son likes lemon scones; however, I like blueberry scones.
The biggest difference in strategy when reading a passage with multiple choice questions versus passages for a writing prompt:
For multiple choice: READ PASSAGE FIRST
For writing prompt: READ PROMPT FIRST
Create a planning doc on a blank sheet of paper for the writing prompt below:
You have just read two passages about superstitions and rituals. Write an informational essay explaining why people believe in the power of superstitions and rituals.
CHECK W MS. RHODES
List six necessary parts of an argumentative essay.
1. Introduction
2. Thesis with a CLEAR position
3. Claim
4. Evidence + Explanation
5. Counterclaim
6. Conclusion
The pattern or arrangement of ideas in a text passage, and one example
Text structure
Description, cause and effect, compare and contrast, chronology/sequence, problem and solution
Edit or NO CHANGE
I went and adopted a dog on Wednesday and was ready to take her home but the shelter then realized that she was not ready to go home and had to be kept another few nights.
I adopted a dog on Wednesday, but she had to be kept by the shelter another few nights.