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Open Responses
Storytelling
MCAS Hacks
Most Importantly
100
What do you do first when you read a poem that is different from reading a story or informational text passage?
With a poem, you should just read the poem first, without annotating it. Get an image in your head. Then go back and annotate the poem. With any other text, you should annotate for main idea while you read it.
100
How many sentences of explanation should you include with each idea in your ORs?
Two
100
What is the word that describes the main problem in a story?
Conflict
100
What is one strategy you can use if you find a word you do not know?
Explode the word, use context clues, or think of Spanish cognates.
100
What word describes the process of thinking about your thinking?
Metacognition
200
What is the difference between a quotation that IDENTIFIES and a quotation that DEVELOPS an idea?
A quotation that identifies an idea is restating the idea, while a quotation that develops an idea is adding something new to the idea.
200
How many quotations does a well-written OR have?
Three (for most ORs) or Four (for a compare/contrast OR)
200
What is the where and when of a story called?
Setting
200
What is one strategy you can use if you don’t understand one of the multiple choice options?
Eliminate other choices that don't make sense and make a thoughtful, educated guess.
200
Which UP Academy English teacher loves to write poetry?
Mr. Munhall
300
In fiction, it’s called a theme. In non-fiction or informational texts, it’s called _____.
Central idea.
300
Why should you include a citation after every quotation?
So the reader knows where you are finding your evidence.
300
What type of figurative language is used in the following: “Attack this test like a lion!”
Simile
300
What are the most important ways to prepare your body and mind for the MCAS?
Get at least 8-10 hours of sleep, eat healthy food, and avoid distractions such as video games, cell phones, and tv.
300
Which UP Academy English teacher has read all of the Harry Potter, Twilight, and Hunger Games books?
Ms. Mooney!
400
What are the three main categories of author’s purpose?
To entertain, inform, or persuade.
400
What two basic things must you include in the first sentence of your OR?
The title and author of the text or texts that you are writing about.
400
What is it called when a non-human object is described in a human-like way?
Personification
400
What is the prize for finishing your MCAS before everyone else?
There is NO PRIZE. Slow down. Think! Re-read. Think more! Slow and steady wins this race.
400
Which UP Academy English teacher likes to sing?
Ms. Hutchinson
500
Character traits can be inferred by looking at what?
Character actions and thoughts
500
On what type of OR would you use a Venn diagram to organize your ideas?
A compare/contrast OR
500
What is it called when the reader knows something but the characters in the story do not?
Dramatic Irony
500
Why should you answer a multiple choice question in your head before you look at the four options?
Figuring out the answer first helps you to not get distracted by so many options that might be correct. Once you have an answer in your head, you can find the choice that best matches that answer.
500
On the outside of UP Academy Leonard is the following quotation: "Enter to grow in wisdom. Depart to serve better thy country and thy kind." What other school has this quotation on its campus?
Harvard University