Test Taking Strategies
True or False: Directions are not important.
FALSE!
True or False: Fiction texts give real, true information.
False
How many details do you need to answer a short response question?
2
True or False: Extended response answers are longer than short response answers.
True
True or False: It is okay to take breaks.
TRUE!
When reading the passage you should __________.
- Mark up the text
- Code the text
- Read the introduction
- Look at the illustrations
What are nonfiction texts?
It gives true facts, real information.
What does RIDDE stand for?
Restate, Inference, Detail, Detail, Elaborate
True or False: In an extended response, you have to answer 1 question.
False. You will have to answer at least 2 questions (or bullets).
True or False: I should take a break after every single question.
False! If you take breaks too often, you may lose your concentration. This will cause you to take a longer time, and get exhausted!
One way to mark up the text is by....
- Using codes (C= character, S= setting, etc...)
- Chunking and writing what happened in the blank space.
- Underlining main ideas
What is a narrative nonfiction text?
A text that is true, but told like a story.
Where do details come from?
The text!
What food can you think of to help you remember how to write an extended response?
A hamburger!
- eat a healthy and large breakfast!
- stay away from TV or computer screens
- give yourself some positive thoughts!
- arrive to school on time!
When faced with a multiple choice question, what are some things you should do BEFORE answering?
- Read the whole question
- Read all answer options
- Go back to reread the text
- Think of which is the BEST answer
- Answer the question in your head, THEN look for an option that matches
What are some characteristics of a drama?
- Dialogue
- Setting
- Stage Directions
- Acts
- Scenes
Where do inferences come from?
-Your head!
-Your thoughts!
-Name the story
-Name the author
-Give a brief answer to all questions
a) This is really hard.
b) I don't even know what this word means.
c) I've been practicing and I can do this.
d) I'm tired.
C!
Take a look at this question:
How do paragraphs 12 through 18 relate to the main idea of the story?
What should you do first, after reading this question?
*BONUS 100 points: Is this a part to part or part to whole question, and how do you know?
Think of the main idea of the text, or reread paragraphs 12 through 18! (which includes 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18).
*BONUS: Part to whole because it asks how one part of the text relates to the whole text (or the main idea of the whole text).
What are some characteristics of a folktale?
- A lesson is learned
- Passed down by word of mouth
- Sometime talking animals/objects
- Sometimes includes magic/mythical creatures
What 3 words help you elaborate (E) in RIDDE?
This shows that...
In an extended response prompt with 2 bulleted questions, how many paragraphs will you have in your whole response?
4 (introduction, RIDDE #1, RIDDE #2, conclusion)
If you come across a passage or question that is really hard, what are some things you could do to lower your stress?
- Positive talk (I can do it!, It's ok that this one is hard, some are just harder than others!)
- Take a break before you tackle it
- Get some water/ Go to the bathroom
- Squeeze the lemon/ Squish the mud
- Deep belly breathing