Test Strategies
What are two important test taking strategies?
Time management
Answer all questions
Educated guess
Identify key words
Supporting Point
Which of the following pieces of evidence, if the author chose to include it, would be irrelevant to the following main claim?
"We should eat food that is grown and produced locally."
A. Locally grown food is fresher and tastes better.
B. Local farmers markets are a nice way for a community to come together.
C. Many people in the United States do not eat fruits and vegetables daily.
D. Some locally grown food is less expensive.
C. Many people in the United States do not eat fruits and vegetables daily.
What is the difference between an author's main claim and their purpose?
Their purpose is what they want readers to do or think after reading their claim.
Example: To convince people to eat organical food instead of industrial.
What is one way to complete a multiple choice question if you are stuck?
Elimination
Identifying key words
Use clues from other questions
Main claim
Purpose
An author's main argument or point of view.
What the author is trying to convince readers of, or what they want us to do/know.
Based on this quote, which might the author's main claim?
"Some laundry detergents and window-washing fluids are the same bright blue color as drinks such as Frost Gatorade. Small children have tried to drink these toxic liquids, thinking they will taste delicious."
A. Color additives can be dangerous and should be avoided.
B. Studies show that changing the color of a food has led to poisonings.
C. Changing the color of food makes it more appealing to kids.
D. Changing the color of food does not change the taste.
A. Color additives can be dangerous and should be avoided.
What MUST your supporting point(s) be supportive of and connect to?
Your supporting point(s) MUST prove your main claim and help you achieve your purpose.
What are three text structures you could look for to more quickly/easily find evidence?
Section headings
Chapter titles
Bold or italic words/phrases
Dates and names
Large or different font
Colored pages or text
Sufficient Evidence
When the author provides enough relevant evidence which comes from credible sources and supports their main claim.
Based on this quote, which might the author's purpose be?
"Some laundry detergents and window-washing fluids are the same bright blue color as drinks such as Frost Gatorade. Small children have tried to drink these toxic liquids, thinking they will taste delicious."
A. to convince readers that color additives can be dangerous and should be avoided
B. to convince readers that color additives are safe to consume
C. to share the results of are search study on the taste of food additives
D. to convince readers that color additives should be used in more foods to enhance taste
A. to convince readers that color additives can be dangerous and should be avoided
What is the purpose of reasoning in a piece of writing?
To explain why how a piece of evidence is relevant to a topic and how it supports an author's main claim about the topic.
What is a key word in this test question?
Which of the following pieces of evidence, if the author chose to include it, would be irrelevant to the author’s claim?
Irrelevant
Sound Reasoning
Which piece of evidence is relevant to the following supporting point?
"Eating food that isn’t produced locally takes a lot of energy to transport, which negatively impacts the environment."
A. Consumers need to understand if food is local it’s unprocessed and organic.
B. Growing food locally makes distribution centers necessary, which is better for local shops that prefer to avoid interacting with farmers.
C. On average, food has traveled 1,500 miles from “farm to plate,” which burns up an incredible amount of fossil fuels.
D. None of the above
C. On average, food has traveled 1,500 miles from “farm to plate,” which burns up an incredible amount of fossil fuels.
How might an author have Sound Reasoning but no Sufficient Evidence?
An author might include opinions and a convincing argument but not provide any valid facts or research to back it up.
In the following multiple choice option, which key word indicates this might be a trick question?
The author’s purpose for this video is to prove that eating local food is the only way to access healthy food.
The author’s purpose for this video is to prove that eating local food is the only way to access healthy food.
Relevant and Irrelevant Evidence
Relevant:
On topic, related, and appropriate to the author's claim.
Irrelevant:
Unrelated to the topic or contradictory to the author's claim.
What is one supporting point for the following main claim?
"Color additives can be dangerous and should be avoided."
A. The colors added to food have become more and more bright, making them more and more attractive to young people.
B. The government claims that color additives in food are safe to consume.
C. Color additives are dangerous because they change the natural colors of our food so that humans can’t use color as a clue as to whether the food is safe to eat.
D. Tartrazine is the most dangerous food additive.
C. Color additives are dangerous because they change the natural colors of our food so that humans can’t use color as a clue as to whether the food is safe to eat.
The author might use relevant, credible research but not explain why it supports their claim. Or they might not use it in a way to achieve their purpose.