Text Taking Tips
You’ve identified the type of text and underlined key words in the question. You summarized the text, but all the answer choices seem similar. What strategy step helps you find the best answer?
A. Type the text again
B. Guess the longest answer
C. Eliminate incorrect options
D. Skip the question
C. Eliminate incorrect options
Read the title:
"Sonnet 170"
What type of text am I
Poetry, Fiction, Informational
Poetry
Identify 1 key word from this question:
What is the meaning of the word “staggered” as used in paragraph 2?
Options: meaning, paragraph 2, "staggered"
Read this informational excerpt:
Recycling helps reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. It also conserves natural resources like water and minerals. By recycling paper, plastic, and metals, people help protect the environment.
Q: Summarize the purpose of recycling in 1 sentence.
Answer: Recycling helps reduce waste and conserve resources to protect the environment.
How does the structure of the poem "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways" contribute to its meaning?
A) The repetition of "I love thee" emphasizes the speaker's consistent devotion.
B) The use of irregular rhyme schemes reflects the speaker's changing emotions.
C) The lack of stanza breaks highlights the poem's seamless flow.
D) The varied line lengths create a sense of urgency in the speaker's tone.
A) The repetition of "I love thee" emphasizes the speaker's consistent devotion.
What should you do if an answer choice is clearly wrong or off-topic?
A. Circle it
B. Choose it
C. Eliminate it
D. Highlight it
C. Eliminate it
Read the title:
"The Life Cycle of a Sea Turtle"
What type of text am I?
A. Poetry
B. Fiction
C. Informational
✅ Answer: C. Informational
Identify the key words from the question:
Which sentence best expresses the central idea of the text?
🔍 Key words to identify: central idea, best, sentence
Read this story snippet:
Jamal forgot his homework for the third time this week. His teacher reminded him again to use his planner. At home, Jamal’s mom helped him create a checklist to stay organized.
Q: Write a 1 sentence summary
Answer: Jamal forgets his homework and learns to stay organized with help from his teacher and mom.
What rhetorical effect is achieved by the repetition of "I love thee" throughout the poem.
A) It emphasizes the speaker's admiration for the beloved.
B) It creates a sense of rhythm and musicality.
C) It highlights the speaker's uncertainty about their feelings.
D) It suggests a lack of sincerity in the speaker's words.
A) It emphasizes the speaker's admiration for the beloved.
This step asks you to briefly explain what you read in your own words.
A. Type
B. Read and summarize
C. Identify
D. Eliminate
B. Read and summarize
Read the title:
"The Dragon’s Curse"
What type of text am I?
A. Fiction
B. Poetry
C. Informational
✅ Answer: A. Fiction
Identify the key words from the question:
How does the author develop the conflict in this passage?
🔍 Key words to identify: develop, conflict, passage
Read this excerpt:
The poem describes a lonely tree standing in the middle of a field. Despite the changing seasons and harsh winds, the tree remains strong and unshaken, symbolizing resilience.
Q: Write a 1-2 word summary
Answer: The poem shows how a tree stands strong through challenges, symbolizing resilience.
How does the theme of eternal love develop from the beginning to the end of the poem?
A) The speaker begins with anger and ends in forgiveness
B) The speaker starts with admiration and ends in fear of loss
C) The speaker begins with counting reasons and ends with love beyond death
D) The speaker first doubts their love and then confirms it
C) The speaker begins with counting reasons and ends with love beyond death
What is one thing you should NOT do before a test?
A. Get a good night's sleep
B. Eat a healthy breakfast
C. Review your notes calmly
D. Cram all night
D. Cram all night
Read the title:
"Ode to the Moonlight"
What type of text am I?
A. Informational
B. Poetry
C. Fiction
✅ Answer: B. Poetry
Identify the key words from the question:
What is the effect of the narrator’s point of view on the reader’s understanding?
🔍 Key words to identify: effect, narrator’s point of view, understanding
Read this short passage:
Tornadoes form when warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico meets cold, dry air from Canada. This causes instability in the atmosphere and can result in rotating thunderstorms. When the rotation becomes strong and organized, a tornado may touch down.
Q: In one sentence, summarize how tornadoes form.
Answer: Tornadoes form when warm and cold air meet, creating strong rotating storms.
Which TWO themes are contrasted throughout the poem "How Do I Love Thee?"
A. Loyalty vs. betrayal
B. Eternal love vs. mortal life
C. Freedom vs. captivity
D. Spiritual love vs. physical love
E. Jealousy vs. admiration
B. Eternal love vs. mortal life → The speaker discusses how love extends beyond life, even "if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death."
D. Spiritual love vs. physical love → The poem blends sacred, idealistic love with references to daily, human devotion.
This step helps you know if you're reading fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or drama.
A. T(ext)
B. I(dentify) key words
C. R(ead and summarize the text)
D. E(liminate options)
A. (T)ext
Read the title:
"Tips for Staying Safe Online"
What type of text am I?
A. Informational
B. Fiction
C. Poetry
✅ Answer: A. Informational
Identify the key words from the question:
Which phrase from the text helps you understand the meaning of the word bitterly in line 10.
🔍 Key words to identify: phrase, understand, bitterly
Read this short paragraph:
Amaya walked into the science lab, excited for the volcano experiment. She had spent all night preparing her materials and couldn’t wait to watch it erupt. As the teacher gave instructions, Amaya set up her model and smiled at her bubbling creation.
Q: Write a 1 sentence summary
Amaya excitedly prepares and successfully completes a volcano experiment in science class.
What is the effect of the repetition in the line, "I love thee..." throughout the poem "How Do I Love Thee?"
A. It emphasizes the speaker’s doubt.
B. It shows a logical argument.
C. It highlights the speaker’s deep and unwavering love.
D. It confuses the reader about the speaker’s emotions.
C. It highlights the speaker’s deep and unwavering love.