Key terms and test taking strategies
What should you do before reading the passage?
Scan and read the questions so you know what to look for in the passage.
The people of third-world countries are sometimes GAUNT because they go days, even weeks without food.
In this sentence, gaunt most likely means:
A. Strong and bold
B. Tired and lonely
C. Thin and weak
D. Hungry and athletic
C. Thin and weak
What is the central idea of this passage?
Before you put on that skeleton costume and rove door-to-door pandering for candy, take a minute to reflect on this tradition. Halloween is believed to have come from an ancient Celtic festival dating back some 2,000 years. November 1st was the Celtic New Year and marked the end of summer to the Celts. They celebrated on its eve by wearing costumes made of animal skins and dancing around bon fires. Over the next two millennia, this primitive celebration grew to be the candy fueled costume ball that we know today.
The origins of Halloween.
What is the central problem of a story called?
The conflict
The short response is graded out of how many points?
2
In the "bullseyes" format, what two colors do you want to narrow your choices down to? AND what should you do with the other two choices?
Red and yellow! Eliminate the other two choices.
What does the narrator’s frequent use of the word “we” in paragraphs 4 and 5 suggest?
We each carried a light, sharpened rod about four feet long, with which we pried up certain sweet roots. When we had eaten all the choice roots we chanced upon, we shouldered our rods and strayed off into patches of a stalky plant under whose yellow blossoms we found little crystal drops of gum.
A. youthfulness
B dependence
C companionship
D remembrance
C. Companionship
What is the main idea of this passage?
Being a clown isn't all fun and games. Rodeo clowns expose themselves to great danger every time they perform. When cowboys dismount or bulls buck them off, rodeo clowns jump in front of the bulls and motion wildly to get their attention. In this way rodeo clowns provide an alternate target, and in doing so protect the rider. Of course, this is a very dangerous thing to do. So you see, sometimes clowning around can be serious business.
Rodeo Clowns protect cowboys by putting themselves in danger.
What is the exposition of a story?
The beginning of the story where characters, setting and some conflict is introduced.
When the state exam ask you to provide DETAILS, What should you put into your response?
Quotes from the passage!
If the phrase "the author is describing" is in one of the answer choices. What should you be looking for?
Descriptive Language!
As the discourse became more thrilling, according to our ideas, we raised our voices in these interjections.
DISCOURSE most nearly means
A. A Spoken Story
B. Brief Remark
C. Disagreement between two people
D. A fight
A. A Spoken Story
What is the main idea of this passage?
. Sometime in December of 1891, Dr. James Naismith was teaching gym at the YMCA College in Springfield, Massachusetts. It was raining, and Dr. Naismith was trying to keep his students active. He wanted them playing a vigorous game that would keep them moving. He rejected a few ideas that were too rough. Then Naismith had his breakthrough. He wrote out the rules for a game with peach baskets fixed to ten-foot elevated tracks. Naismith's students played against one another, passing the ball around and shooting it into the peach baskets. Dribbling wasn't a part of the original game. Also it took a while to realize that the game would run more smoothly if the bottoms of the baskets were removed. But this game grew to be one of the most popular sports in America today.
The invention of basketball.
Define THEME.
The moral lesson of a story. It is universal and can be applied to the world.
After you provide evidence, what should you always include next and what phrase can you use?
Always explain the quote with details. You can use this shows, this reveals, or this demonstrates...
What is the authors claim?
The author's personal opinion about a certain subject. The author uses evidence and rhetoric to help support the claim.
Now my comrades caught up with me, and began to ask why I was running away so fast.
COMRADES most nearly mean
A group of friends are partners
What's that humming sound? Could it be the hummingbird, the only bird capable of backward flight? Hummingbirds have many unique flight habits that distinguish them from other birds. Most birds flap their wings up and down to fly, but the hummingbird moves its wings forward and backward very rapidly in a figure eight pattern. This allows the hummingbird to hover in position. They can also fly upside down and move about very rapidly. Other birds have to push off with their feet to begin flying and work their ways up to their top speeds. The hummingbird can both start flying at maximum speed and stop flying instantaneously. Once you've seen a hummingbird in flight, it's unlikely that you'll mistake them for another bird.
The hummingbird flies in a unique and unusual way.
What does CENTRAL IDEA mean?
The point the author wants to make about a topic. Think about the main purpose of the text.
How many pieces of evidence should you provide in your response?
TWO! Always TWO.
If the questions uses the phrase:
In lines _______________, the author suggests...
What does SUGGEST most nearly mean?
Suggest means what the author is implying.
What is the meaning of the word “subtle” as it is used in this sentence:And there were times when I could only conclude that she must be reacting to subtle changes in the wind and light, not detectable by humans.
A environmental
B slight
C powerful
D rapid
B Slight
Remember, if something is worth doing, it is worth doing correctly. That said, the key to making perfect cookies is merely a matter of preparation and precision. To begin with, read your cookie recipe thoroughly before baking. Make sure that you have all the necessary ingredients before you continue. Next, use good tools and utensils. Sometimes, the craftsperson is only as good as his or her tools. By using good tools you minimize mistakes and improve the quality of your product. Last, use top quality ingredients. Unlike characters in fairytales, you can't turn lead into gold. If you use poor quality materials, you'll create inferior products. So, to make perfect cookies you should use the highest quality materials available. Bon appetite!
The importance of using the right ingredients, directions and tools to make the perfect cookies.
Sometimes the state exam will ask you to describe the author's tone. Define what tone is.
The author's attitude towards the subject!
What acronym can help you write your short response?
RACE
RAFT
or TWR MODEL: T.S 1 2 3 Conclusion