Testing Tips
On the CAPE Exam, what should you do if you can’t write a full essay or don’t have enough time?
Write a strong paragraph instead!
Both of the following are examples of this literary term. Example #1: “The leaves danced in the wind.” Example #2: “The rain was indifferent to their plans.” What is the term?
Personification
Come up to the board and fix the errors in punctuation and capitalization in this sentence: The author personifies the house when he writes “This house is ashamed of itself.
The author personifies the house when he writes, “This house is ashamed of itself.” (Corrections: Add a comma after “writes” and a quotation mark at the end of the quote after the final period.)
Define the word “Ceaseless” in your own words, using the provided sentence as context.
Example sentence: There has been ceaseless rain for three days.
Constant and unending; never stopping.
List at least TWO things you can do BEFORE coming to school on testing days to help yourself be more successful.
(There are several correct answers!)
(I will accept any of the following) Get a good night of sleep, eat breakfast, eat a good dinner the night before, drink some water in the morning, give yourself a pep talk, be on time to school, get yourself into a positive mindset.
This literary term can be best defined as “the universal idea, lesson, or message explored throughout a work of literature.” What is the term?
Theme
Come up to the board and fix the errors in punctuation and capitalization in this sentence: The author describes the relationship between the house and the painter when he writes “soon the house starts to stare frankly at the man.”
The author describes the relationship between the house and the painter when he writes, “Soon the house starts to stare frankly at the man.” (Corrections: Add a comma after “writes” and capitalize the word “soon” in the quote.)
Define the word “Synthesis” in your own words, using the provided sentence as context.
Example sentence: Her essay shows a synthesis of several leading ideas.
To combine multiple parts to form a larger whole. To combine multiple ideas to form one greater idea.
Most multiple choice questions on CAPE are set up as this question type.
I will accept any of the following:
Two-part questions, Evidence-Based Selected Response, OR EBSR Questions.
Authors use ethos, pathos, and logos as tools to help them do what?
Persuade or appeal to their audience. Strengthen their argument.
What is wrong with this sentence? “Despite the rainy weather.”
It is a sentence fragment. There is no action word, and it is a dependent clause.
Bonus: how could we fix it?
Define the word “Perplexed” in your own words, using the provided sentence as context.
Example sentence: (1) She looked perplexed by the lengthy math problem. (2) The unclear instructions left many students perplexed.
Confused or puzzled.
List all three of the types of writing that you will see on the ELA CAPE Exam.
Literary Analysis, Research Simulation, and Narrative.
This term is defined as, “exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.” What is the term?
Hyperbole
What is the purpose of a thesis statement in an essay?
A thesis statement is 1-2 sentences long and is included in both the introduction and the conclusion paragraphs to sum up the main idea of the essay. In essays where you are given a prompt, it is a brief answer to the prompt, which is then explained in greater detail throughout the essay.
Define the word “Apathetic” in your own words, using the provided sentence as context.
Example sentence: (1) Neither candidate spoke to his concerns, so Trayvon felt apathetic about the election. (2) The class seemed apathetic during the long lecture about the Ancient Greeks.
Showing little interest or concern.
DAILY DOUBLE: Choose one of the three writing tasks on the ELA CAPE Exam (Literary analysis, research simulation, or narrative). In your own words, explain what you are required to do on this DC CAPE writing task.
The literary analysis task asks students to examine an author’s writing choices in one or more fictional pieces of literature.
The research simulation task asks students to use two or more informational sources to either support an argument or to compare and contrast the author’s arguments or perspectives.
The narrative task asks students to add to the end of a provided story, or to change something about the story in a creative, narrative response.
This term is defined as, “Expressing an idea by using language that usually means the opposite thing. This creates a humorous and surprising effect because the meaning of the words is the opposite of what is expected.” What is the term?
Irony
Name 3 things that belong in every body paragraph of an essay in which you are analyzing a source or text.
Topic sentence, evidence from the text, analysis/reasoning/commentary
Define the word “Juxtapose” in your own words, using the provided sentence as context.
Example sentence: (1) The author juxtaposed two characters to show their differences. (2) The painting juxtaposes light and dark colors to create a fascinating effect on the viewer.
To place two things close to each other to create a contrasting effect. To draw a contrast between two things or ideas.