MCAS Trivia
What is the date of the 8th grade ELA MCAS?
Wednesday 4/10 and Thursday 4/11
On an average night, I should get this much sleep:
8-10 hours a night (according to the CDC)
When should you re-read a section to answer a multiple choice question?
Always!
Another word for Main Idea on the MCAS is what?
Central Idea
What is a metaphor?
A comparison of two things. (Without using "like" or "as"
Ex: "Life is a journey" or "She is a ray of sunshine"
What is the tool that crosses out incorrect answers?
The answer eliminator
TAGS is acronym that can help you when preparing a topic sentence in a literary analysis; it stands for (Title, Author, Genre, and S________)
Subject - topic you're writing about
The play(Genre), The Diary of Anne Frank,(Title) written by Anne Frank (Author) conveys many internal and external conflicts. (Subject)
How long should an essay be?
As long as it needs to be to fully answer the question (usually 3-6 paragraphs)
What does infer mean?
To make an educated guess.
What is conflict in literature?
The problem or struggle between two opposing forces
Aside from sleep and exercise, what is essential in helping your brain for a challenging task like the MCAS?
A healthy diet/food
True or False: you are only allowed to write certain things on the paper you may use for notes during MCAS.
False (the notes are for you to develop your thinking and keep your focus)
What should you create on your scrap paper to help you plan out your essay?
Graphic Organizer
What does explain mean?
To connect evidence with the claim or idea that the evidence supports.
What is alliteration? Give an example.
The repetition of consonant sounds
Ex: The boy buzzed around, as busy as a bee.
True or False: If you are absent on the day of MCAS you do not have to take that session.
FALSE!!! You will have to make up the session you missed.
If a question asks you to compare, what is expected from you?
Compare means to look at common characteristics and identify how things are alike or similar.
Ex: In ELA students can look for repeated language, motifs or symbols that an author used in the same text.
What are the names of the different paragraphs your essay should have?
Introductory paragraph, Body paragraphs, concluding paragraph
What does "support your claim" mean?
To provide evidence and explain how it supports your claim (what you are trying to prove/argue).
What is a hyperbole? Give an example.
An extreme exaggeration
"I'm so hungry I could eat a horse"
What are the 2 types of essays you may have to write?
Analysis (Explanatory or Argumentative) and/or Narrative
If you want to be able to pay close attention to one specific answer option at a time, you should use this tool to cover up the rest.
Answer Masking Tool
You have read a passage, and you have been asked to write an essay. Which type of essay means that you are continuing the story of a text you read during ELA MCAS?
Writing a narrative essay
What does portray mean?
To show what someone or something is like.
What does MCAS stand for?
Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System