The Basics
What day(s) are MCAS this week?
Tuesday, April 7 & Thursday, April 9
How many paragraphs is a "typical" essay?
Five (5)
What term is used to describe how to change or fix one's work before turning it in for a final grade/score?
Revise
The words "because," "but," and "so" are examples of what types of words?
Conjunctions
What score will you receive for writing incomplete sentences, less than a paragraph, or otherwise do not address the essay prompt?
Zero (0)
For which school subject(s) will the 7th Graders be working on while you (8th Grade.) are taking MCAS?
Math, ELA, Science, Social Studies
TRUE or FALSE: It is generally recommended to write the introduction and conclusion of an essay after the body paragraph(s).
True
(Although this is just a recommendation)
TRUE or FALSE: You generally should NOT read the essay prompt until after all the multiple-choice questions are answered.
False
Sometimes it helps to read the prompt ahead of time to know what to look for in the reading(s)
What phrase or expression has a figurative meaning that differs from its literal one?
Idiom
TRUE or FALSE: The first day of ELA MCAS is generally longer than the second day.
True
TRUE or FALSE: You will NOT be allowed to use the Chromebook for ANY other reason besides MCAS.
True
What are the three components of a body paragraph?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
What term describes crossing off incorrect choices so that you are only left with two to choose from?
Process of Elimination
The words "I," "me," "we," and "our" are examples of which point of view: first, second, or third?
First Person
When is the next time you will need to take the ELA MCAS exam?
10th Grade
Unless MCAS extends past the test window, which class will you be expected to go to first after the test is finished?
Per. 4a/4b
What are the three components of an introduction?
Hook
Overview
Thesis
What non-writing skill is important to have and bring to the MCAS exam (and other future tests)?
A positive mindset
What term describes visual / figurative language that "paints a picture" of the scene in the reader's mind?
Imagery
What is the order of MCAS exams that you will be taking this year (by subject)?
First - ELA
Second - Science
Third - Math
Last - Civics
When is the first make-up MCAS day for ELA?
Wednesday, April 8
What three steps are generally taken to write a conclusion paragraph at the end of an essay?
1. Restate your thesis
2. Synthesize your claims
3. End with a powerful "go-home" closing statement
A graphic organizer, a personal dictionary, and speech-to-text are just a few examples of what supports that you could be provided on MCAS (depending on your individual IEPs)?
Accommodations
Who is the "voice" of a novel or text that describes someone's point of view (whether their own or someone else's)?
Narrator
What term describes combining insights from multiple perspectives / viewpoints to create a new, cohesive understanding or argument?
Synthesize