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Common Test Questions & Vocab
Common Test Questions & Vocab
Test-Taking Strategy
Reading for Informational Text
Reading for Literature
100

"Which word is similar in connotation to ___ as it is used in the sentence?"   

What does "connotation" mean in this sentence?

How a word is SPECIFICALLY meant

100
"Which of the following details least supports the central idea of the passage?" In this question I have to find the answer choice that does NOT really ______________the central idea.
support
100

What are at least 2 things you should do BEFORE reading each passage?

1. Read the directions 2. Read the questions you will have to answer. 3. Read the title of the article, story or poem 4. Read the subheadings 5. Look at any pictures and captions

100

An author's reason for writing a text

author's purpose

100

What is the THEME of a story?

Message, moral, or lesson of the story - what we learn about life

200
"How does paragraph 4 CONTRIBUTE to the development of ideas in the text?" In this question, I am being asked how paragraph 4 _____________ the development of ideas in the passage.
adds to, builds on
200
"What do the character’s actions in paragraph 3 REVEAL about him?" The word reveal means ______________.
shows, uncovers, unveils
200

True or False: You should read all the answer choices, even if the first or second answer sounds correct to you.

TRUE! Almost every question will have 2 answer choices that are somewhat easy to eliminate and then 1 answer choice that is there to trick you! So you should read and reread each answer choice carefully and check back to the text to make sure you are choosing the correct answer and not the trick answer!

200

The big idea or main point of a passage (NOT a summary)

Central Idea

200

How are characters developed in literature? (3 things)

By what they say, what they do, and how they interact with other characters.

300
"Which of the sentences from the passage best supports the author’s central idea?" In this question the word best tells me that all the answer choices could be _____________, but I have to find the ______________ answer.
correct best
300
“What can you INFER about the main character based on the information in paragraph 3?" The word infer means _________________________
to make an education guess or conclusion based on evidence, prior knowledge (background knowledge), and logical reasoning.
300

If I am running out of time, what kinds of questions should I look to answer first?

vocabulary!

questions where the part of the passage they want you to look at is pulled out into the question

300

List three different rhetorical devices that author's use to advance their purpose or point of view.

alliteration

anaphora

allusions

repetition

rhetorical questions

metaphorical/figurative language (simile, metaphor, hyperbole, personification, etc)

logos, ethos, pathos


300

The author or character's perspective on an issues is the 

point of view

400
"How does the author’s ALLUSION to Pandora’s Box contribute to the meaning of paragraph 4?" The word allusion means _________________
Allusion means "reference". Eg: In a story one of the characters may ask his friend, "Why did you jump off the roof? Were you trying to be Superman?!" The character is making an ALLUSION or reference to another story/movie (Superman). You may also see a question that uses the word "alludes". ("Why does the author allude to Pandora’s Box in paragraph 4?"). This is the verb form of allusion.
400
"Which sentence from the article best reveals the author's POINT OF VIEW?" The authors "point of view" means the author's __________
perspective, viewpoint, opinion
400

When do we eliminate answers (slash the trash, get to 50/50, etc.)?

When we can prove they are wrong

400

When I come to a word I don't know in a text, what should I use to help me figure it out and where might I find them?

Context Clues; sentence before, sentence after, or within the sentence.

400

How do author's create effects such as mystery, tension, or surprise? Name two.

(Manipulation of time)

Pacing

order of events

flashback

flash forward

foreshadowing

beginning in medias res

500

What is the definition of "emphasize"?

Highlight/to show

500

"Based on paragraph 7, what can the reader infer about how the narrator feels about John?"

In the preceding question, what does "infer" mean?

To read between the lines...it's not explicitly stated, so we have to guess based on what we read and what we already know.

500

What should we do when finding every answer?

Go back to the text!

500

What are four common text structures that authors use to organize texts?

chronological order

cause and effect

problem and solution

compare and contrast

500

Characters are complex when they have 

conflicting or multiple motivations