Test Structure
How many minutes do you have to complete each ELA DC CAPE test?
Cuantos minutos tienes para completar cada examen de ELA?
90 minutes
What is central idea?
Que es la idea central?
The main point or most important idea the author wants the reader to understand in a text
What should you read first before beginning any DC CAPE text?
Que es lo que deberias leer primero antes de empezar algun examen de DC CAPE?
The bolded directions at the top
What should students do if two answer choices seem possible?
Que deberian hacer los estudiantes si dos respuestas parecen ser posibles?
Go back to the text and determine which answer is best supported by evidence OR bookmark the question and revisit it later
Where should students break down a prompt and create their checklist while taking the DC CAPE?
Donde deberian los estudiantes escribir las partes de las instrucciones y crear su propia checklist mientras toman el examen de DC CAPE?
On their scratch paper
What does TIQA stand for?
Que significa TIQA?
Topic Sentence, Introduce the Quote, Quote, Analysis
List three narrative elements.
Menciona 3 elementos narrativos.
Characters, setting, plot, dialogue, conflict
What are the three major writing tasks on the DC CAPE ELA test?
Cuales son las 3 actividades de escritura que se pediran en DC CAPE?
Literary Analysis Task, Research Simulation Task, and Narrative Writing Task
What is author’s purpose? Name the three main types.
Que significa el proposito del autor? Menciona 3 tipos principales.
Author’s purpose is the reason an author writes something; the three main purposes are to inform, persuade, and entertain
Why is previewing the essay prompt before reading helpful?
Por qué es importante preveer y entender la consigna antes de leer el texto?
It helps students determine their focus for reading and what evidence to track
What should students do if they do not know the answer right away?
Qué deberían hacer los estudiantes si no saben la respuesta enseguida?
Reread the question, go back into the text, and use evidence to help determine the best answer
What is the purpose of creating a checklist before writing?
Cual es el proposito de crear una checklist antes de escribir?
To help students plan what evidence they need to use and what they need to explain in their analysis before they begin writing
If an essay prompt asks students to analyze two texts, how many body paragraphs should they usually include?
Si la consigna de un ensayo pide que los estudiantes analicen dos textos, cuantos parrafos deberian incluir?
At least 2 body paragraphs—one for each text
What does "show not tell" mean?
Que significa "show not tell"?
Use actions, dialogue, and descriptive language instead of directly stating feelings
Which two major tasks require students to write analytical essays using text evidence (direct quotes)?
Cuales son las dos tareas mas grandes que requieren que los estudiantes escriban ensayos analiticos usando evidencia del texto?
Literary Analysis Task and Research Simulation Task
What is a theme statement?
Que es el "theme statement"?
A complete sentence that explains the message or lesson an author wants the reader to learn about a topic
What tools are available to help you track important details and monitor their comprehension while reading a text?
Que herramientas estan disponibles para ayudar a rastrear detalles importantes y monitorear su comprension mientras leen un texto?
Highlighter, scratch paper/note pad, line reader
What should students do before selecting or confirming an answer to a multiple-choice question?
Qué deberian hacer los estudiantes antes de seleccionar y responder una pregunta de opcion multiple?
Go back into the text to find evidence that supports the best answer choice
What is the difference between an essay prompt and a narrative prompt?
Cual es la diferencia entre la consigna de un ensayo y una consigna narrativa?
An essay prompt asks students to analyze, explain, or argue using evidence and clear reasoning (TIQA paragraphs), while a narrative prompt asks students to tell or continue a story using characters, setting, plot, and other narrative elements
Why is introducing a quote important?
Por que es importante introducir una cita (evidencia)?
It provides context and helps the reader understand the evidence
How should students organize their response when writing a narrative?
Como deberian los estudiantes organizar sus respuestas cuando escriben un texto narrativo?
A clear beginning, middle, and end
What type of texts/sources are used in the Research Simulation Task? List two examples.
Que tipo de textos/recursos se usan en una simulacion de investigacion? Menciona dos ejemplos.
Informational or nonfiction texts/source materials (including passages, videos, experiments, images, charts)
What is point of view, and how does it affect a story?
Que es punto de vista, y como afecta a la historia?
Point of view is the perspective from which a story is told; it affects how readers understand events, characters, and information
What should students do while reading if they notice they are confused or no longer understand the text?
Que deberian hacer los estudiantes mientras leen si se dan cuenta que estan confundidos o ya no entienden el texto?
Stop and reread the confusing part, look for important details or context clues, and make sure they understand before continuing reading
Why is answer elimination an effective strategy?
Por que la "eliminacion" es una estrategia efectiva?
It removes incorrect choices and improves the chances of selecting the best answer
What are some common task verbs students may see in a writing prompt, and why is identifying them important?
Cuales son algunas palabras comunes que los estudiantes encontraran en una consigna para escribir, y por qué es importante identificarlas?
Common task verbs include analyze, explain, compare, contrast, describe, evaluate, and develop; identifying them is important because they tell students exactly what kind of thinking and response the prompt requires
What makes analysis strong? List three things you should do you in your analysis.
Qué hace que un análisis sea fuerte? Menciona 3 cosas que deberías hacer en tu análisis.
Explaining how the quote supports the claim, what it reveals, and why it matters
How does dialogue strengthen a narrative?
Como el diálogo fortalece una narrativa?
It develops character relationships, reveals emotions, and moves the plot
What changes between Form A and Form B of the test?
Qué cambia entre "Form A" y "Form B" del texto?
The order in which students complete the tasks
What is the difference between first-person and third-person point of view?
Cual es la diferencia entre el punto de vista de la primera persona y la tercera persona?
First-person uses “I” or “we” and is told by a character in the story; third-person uses “he,” “she,” or “they” and is told by an outside narrator
If a prompt asks how an author develops theme, what should you pay close attention to while reading?
Si una consigna pregunta como el autor desarrolla el tema, a qué deberíamos prestarle atención mientras leemos?
Key details, character actions, dialogue, and important events related to theme
When and why should students use the bookmark feature during the DC CAPE assessment?
Cuando y por qué deberían los estudiantes usar la herramientas "feature" durante el examen de DC CAPE?
Students should use the bookmark feature when they are unsure about a question so they can return to it later after completing easier questions, helping them manage time and avoid getting stuck
A Research Simulation Task prompt asks: “Analyze how each source presents information about the benefits of renewable energy.” What should a student include on their checklist before writing?
Una tarea de Simulación de Investigación pide: "Analiza cómo cada fuente presenta información acerca de los beneficios de la energía renovable." Qué debería incluir el alumno en su checklist antes de escribir?
Identify how each source presents information, choose quotes that show those methods, and explain how the quotes support the source’s presentation of information
A student writes one body paragraph about Text 1 and one body paragraph about Text 2, but each paragraph only includes evidence without explaining how it supports the claim. Which part of essay writing is missing?
Un estudiante escribe el "body paragraph" sobre el texto 1 y uno sobre el texto 2, pero cada párrafo solo incluye evidencia sin explicar como soporta a la respuesta. Que parte del ensayo esta faltando?
Analysis
When continuing a story, why is it important to maintain the original characters, setting, and tone?
Cuando continuas una historia, por qué es importante mantener los personajes originales, el escenario y el tono?
To ensure the continuation is logical, consistent, and believable
A student begins writing immediately without checking whether the task is Literary Analysis, Research Simulation, or Narrative Writing. Why could this hurt their score?
Un estudiante empieza a escribir inmediatamente sin chequear si la consigna dice que hay que escribir un Análisis Literario, Simulación de Investigación, o un escrito Narrativo. Como podría perjudicar su calificación?
They may use the wrong writing structure
What are some different ways authors present information in an informational text?
Cuales son algunas de las formas diferentes que los autores presentan información en un texto informativo?
Authors may present information through description, dialogue, examples, facts, details, text structure, or illustrations
A student finishes reading but cannot remember important details for the essay. Which strategy would have helped most while reading?
Un estudiante termina de leer pero no puede recordar detalles importantes para el ensayo. Qué estrategia debería ayudarle más mientras lee?
Highlighting, annotating, or taking notes on important details
What strategies should students use to answer a Word in Context question?
Qué estrategias deberian usar los estudiantes para responder una pregunta de Palabra en Contexto?
Reread the sentence with the word, examine the sentences before and after for context clues, predict the word’s meaning, eliminate incorrect choices, and check which answer best fits the passage
A Literary Analysis prompt asks: “Analyze how each author develops a character’s point of view in both texts.” What should a student include on their checklist before writing?
Una consigna de Análisis Literario pregunta: "Analiza como cada autor desarrolla el punto de vista del personaje en ambos textos." Qué debería un estudiante incluir en su checklist antes de escribir?
Identify each character’s point of view in both texts, find evidence from both texts, explain how each author develops that point of view
A student writes strong body paragraphs but never clearly answers the prompt. Which essay-writing skill needs improvement?
Un estudiante escribe un párrafo pero nunca responde claramente la consigna. Qué habilidad de escritura necesita mejorar?
Writing a clear topic sentence
A student wants readers to clearly imagine the setting of a snowy mountain during a dangerous journey. Which writing technique should they use, and why?
Un estudiante quiere que los lectores imaginen claramente el escenario de una montaña nevada durante un viaje peligroso. Qué técnica de escritura deberían usar y por qué?
Sensory details; they help readers vividly picture, hear, feel, or experience the setting by describing sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures