54 Taking Tests

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Taking Tests

Start-Up Activity

Ask your students to write one multiple-choice, one fill-in-the-blank, and one true-false question about a subject they are studying. Then have each student trade questions with a partner, who will try to answer them.

Afterward, ask your students the following:

  • Which type of question was hardest to answer?
  • Which type was easiest?
  • What strategies did you use to answer the different types of questions?

Let students know that this chapter examines many strategies that they can use to succeed on tests.

Think About It

“Forget past mistakes. Forget failures. Forget everything except what you’re doing now and do it.”

—William Durant

Page 470 from Write on Course 20-20

Preparing for and Taking a Test

Review the tips for preparing for and taking a test. Then have pairs of students follow the tips from this page to prepare for a practice test on capitalization (pages 496–499). 

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Page 471 from Write on Course 20-20

Taking Objective Tests

Review the tips for taking objective tests on this page. Then give students additional time to prepare for the test on capitalization. (Discuss what the students are doing during their preparation.)

Finally, distribute the capitalization test. After students take the test and review answers with each other, provide them the correct answers:

True-False Questions

  1. F ("Always" makes this false. Cardinal directions are not capitalized unless they refer to a part of the country.)
  2. F (The names of seasons are not capitalized unless they are part of a proper noun: "Fall Harvest Festival.")
  3. T
  4. F ("Never" makes this false. These words are capitalized as part of proper nouns: "Mississippi River.")
  5. F ("Except" makes this false. Language courses are capitalized.)

Multiple-Choice Questions

  1. d
  2. c
  3. b

 

 

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Page 472 from Write on Course 20-20

Multiple-Choice and Fill-in-the-Blank Tests

Review the tips for taking multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blanks tests. Then ask your students which type of objective questions they like best and why:

  • true/false
  • matching
  • multiple choice
  • fill in the blank

 

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Page 473 from Write on Course 20-20

Writing to a Prompt

This page introduces students to the unique challenge of writing a timed response to a specific prompt. Review how to use the PAST strategy to help students discover the specific actions a prompt will ask them to do. Use the related minilesson as practice. 

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NE ELA Standard:

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Page 474 from Write on Course 20-20

Understanding Key Words

Have students review the glossary of key words in writing prompts. Understanding the meaning of these words will help students know specifically how to respond to a prompt. Recommend that they review the list in preparation for their next essay test.  

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Page 475 from Write on Course 20-20

Planning Your Answer

Lead students through the tips for planning a response. Let students know that creating a focus statement and a quick list of supporting details will help them plan their writing. 

Highlight the importance of managing time for on-demand responses. To help students understand how to divide their time, recommend using the following process for 30-minute timed response:

  • Use the first 5 minutes to analyze the prompt and plan a response.
  • Use about 20 minutes to draft the response.
  • Leave 5–10 minutes at the end to revise and edit the response.
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Page 476 from Write on Course 20-20

Writing a One-Paragraph Answer

Review the instructions for writing a one-paragraph answer. Then have a volunteer read the sample prompt and response. Note how the response organizes its details based on the quick list on the previous page. The addition of transition words and phrases creates smooth and logical sentences. 

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Page 477 from Write on Course 20-20

Writing a Multiparagraph Answer

Discuss the guidelines for forming a multiparagraph response. Then ask for a volunteer to read aloud the sample prompt and response. Note how the response targets each of the PAST questions. 

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