Listening
What should you do if you cannot hear the audio clearly during the listening test?
Tell the teacher
What is a “main idea” in a reading passage?
The main idea is what the passage is mostly about.
How many paragraphs do I want you to write on the WIDA test and name them.
5 paragraphs
Introductory, 3 Body Paragraphs, Concluding
How should you speak on the test? 2 answers
Loud, clear, slow it down, and like a professional
What punctuation mark should you use at the end of a statement?
A period.
What should you do if you miss part of the audio?
Stay calm, try to listen for key words you recognize, and use the information you did hear to make your best guess.
What is a summary of a story?
A summary is a short version of the story that tells the most important parts.
What is a thesis statement, how long should it be, and where is it found?
A thesis statement is one sentence that tells the main idea of an essay located in the first paragraph.
How long should you speak for?
Until the timer stops! Speak the whole time!!!
Why is it important to use different types of sentences (simple, compound, and complex) in your essay?
Using different types of sentences makes your writing more interesting and easier to read. It helps you explain your ideas clearly and keeps the reader’s attention.
How can you listen for or recognize key words to help you answer questions about a talk?
Focus on important nouns, verbs, and repeated words since they usually tell you the main idea.
Before you answer a question after reading a passage, you should always do what?
Go back and check your answer.
How can you support your opinion in an essay?
You can give reasons, examples, or facts to explain why you think that way.
Use higher level vocabulary in this sentence and add more description to this sentence:
I see clouds in the sky.
Answers may vary
What is a simple sentence?
A sentence with one subject and one verb (one complete idea).
Example: I like apples.
If you hear, “The meeting is at 3:00 PM in the library,” what two pieces of information do you need to remember?
Time and place
How can you find the meaning of a word you don’t know in a reading passage?
Look for context clues—words or sentences around the unknown word that help explain it.
What are the three main parts of a basic paragraph?
The topic sentence, supporting details, and concluding sentence.
What are the 5 W's when describing a picture?
Who, What, Where, When, Why
What is a compound sentence?
A sentence made by joining two simple sentences with a word like “and,” “but,” or “or.”
Example: I like apples, and my friend likes oranges.
After hearing a short story, how can you identify the setting? 2 answers
Listen for details about where and when the story happens (like “at school” or “in the morning”).
How can you tell if a reading passage is fiction or nonfiction?
Fiction is made-up or a story; nonfiction is about real events and facts.
Tell me 1 transition you could use in each paragraph of your essay. (5 total)
Many answers
Why is it important to use a variety of transition words when giving a long answer or telling a story during the speaking test? Can you give two examples of advanced transition words you might use?
Using a variety of transition words helps your answer sound organized and smooth, making it easier for the listener to follow your ideas. Advanced transitions like “consequently” and “on the other hand” can show cause and effect or contrast between ideas.
What is a Complex Sentence?
A sentence with one main idea and one or more extra parts (clauses) that give more information, often using words like “because,” “when,” or “although.”
Example: I like apples because they are sweet.