Writing State Test Prep

Test Prep

Pre-Writing

Multiple Choice

Before reading each passage provided, what should you do?

• Skip forward and read the prompt

• Make sure that the rest of the test is already completed

• Take a 10 minute break

• Have a snack

Multiple Select

When reading the prompt for the passages, what are some important tips to remember?

• Identify key words to assist you when reading the passages

• Use the highlighting tool to gather and organize thoughts

• Identify main idea of response after reading the prompt

• Write the response immediately after reading the prompt, don't bother with the passages

Multiple Choice

What is the best way to gather information about your topic?

• Think really hard about information you might know about the topic and ONLY use that

• Read and analyze the passages provided to you and use information directly from there

• Make up information that sounds good

Writing the Essay

Multiple Select

Select all that you should consider while constructing your response

• organization

• development

• sentence structure

• word choice/grammar

• mechanics

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of an introductory paragraph?

• It entertains the reader

• It confuses the reader

• It develops the main idea of the response

• It gives all of the facts and information found within the passages

Multiple Select

What are some ways that you can make an introductory paragraph interesting for the reader?

• State an interesting fact

• Ask a question

• Make up a story

• Provide background information

Multiple Select

What elements need to be included in your thesis?

• Introduction

• authors, titles, 2 elements

• your own opinion

• "I'm going to tell you..."

• strong verb and claim

Multiple Choice

When including evidence in your paragraphs, what is the correct way to insert it? Read carefully!!

• "Visibility was almost zero"

• "Visibility was almost zero."

• According to passage 1 "Visibility was almost zero"

• According to passage 1, "Visibility was almost zero."

Multiple Choice

What is the formula that should be followed when constructing body paragraphs?

• Claim, support, support, explain

• Claim, support, explain, support #2, explain

• Claim, explain, explain, explain

Multiple Choice

How should your conclusion be constructed?

• Add new information and say "Today, I told you about"

• Summarize main points from the response and restate the thesis using different words

• Give your opinion about the prompt and say thank you for reading

Using sentence variation

Including sentence variation in your response is important make the response easier and more interesting to read. Using sentence variation will also create an opportunity for you to make your response longer!

Open Ended

Combine these two sentences into a compound, complex, or compound-complex sentence:

The car door was locked. Her keys were inside.

Open Ended

Combine these two sentences into a compound, complex, or compound-complex sentence:

I will run the 100-meter dash. The race will be part of the track meet at the stadium.

Open Ended

Combine these two sentences into a compound, complex, or compound-complex sentence:

We could practice the clarinet. On the other hand, we could try out for the school play.

Open Ended

Combine these two sentences into a compound, complex, or compound-complex sentence:

Jon is going to work soon. Jon is a waiter.