 How to Answer an Open-Ended Question on a Standardized Test Helpful hints to earn a “passing” score

What is an open-ended question?  Open-ended questions require you to construct your own written response to some important aspect of the reading passage.  They appear after multiple choice questions and they are always bulleted.  It will take approximately minutes to answer each open-ended question.  Your responses are hand scored on a scale from 0 to 4.

Helpful Hints  Identify the main idea and important details while reading the passage  Read the question TWICE to be sure you understand what you need to answer  Implement the QASI method

What is the QASI method?  Q=Question  A=Answer  S=Support  I=Insight

QUESTION  Restate the question when answering the prompt. This creates a familiarity with the text and also shows the test graders that you are aware of what is being asked.

ANSWER  Answer ALL parts of the question.  If there are two bullets to a question, you must answer each bullet in a separate paragraph. ( Three bullets=Three paragraphs; etc.)  If the bullet itself has multiple parts, all parts must be answered to receive a passing score.

SUPPORT  This is perhaps the most crucial element.  In order to earn a passing grade you MUST include direct support, either in the form of quotes, paraphrases or summaries, in your written response.  A good transition is to write: In paragraph ____ the author states…

INSIGHT  This is the last step and can really increase your scoring potential. (This would be your conclusion!)  Reflect on the question and answer and offer some insight, whether it be a personal experience or scholastic/global reference.  It creates nice closure and offers the grader a chance to see you can think "outside the box”.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO How to earn a “passing” score  4-point response - Clearly demonstrates understanding of the task, completes all requirements, and provides an insightful explanation/ opinion that links to or extends aspects of the text.  3-point response - Demonstrates an understanding of the task, completes all requirements, and provides some explanation/ opinion using situations or ideas from the text as support.

WHAT NOT TO DO Not Passing Scores  2-point response - May address all of the requirements, but demonstrates a partial under- standing of the task, and uses text incorrectly or with limited success resulting in an inconsistent or flawed explanation.  1-point response - Demonstrates minimal understanding of the task, does not complete the requirements, and provides only a vague reference to or no use of the text.  0-point response - Irrelevant or off- topic.

Let’s take a look at some student samples…  The reason the easy way out is the hard way out is because the clones, looses Doug’s leisure time. He has to be a house hold dad now and it is not as leisuring as it was. One way he could of handled his situation is by taking it like a man and still work. He liked it better. What was the score of this open-ended question? 1

Why did this response earn a score of a 1?  Q=Yes, the author does restate the question  A=No, the author does not provide a paragraph for each bullet. (This should have been a minimum of 2 paragraphs in order to earn a 3 or 4!)  S=No, the author only provides a vague description from the text and does not give specific examples that supports his/her opinion  I=Yes, the author does provide his/her insight to Doug’s problem; however, again it is only a vague description. The reader cannot get a good understanding of the author’s opinion. Again, there is also no support that backs up this insight.

Another student sample  The best way out of a difficult situation often seem to be the hard way out because usually if you do something that is easy then the reward will most likely be bad. For example if you do horrible in school then it will be more likely that will have bad grades. But if you do well in school and ward hard, “meaning to go the hard way,” then you will be more likely to receive a good grade. He good of done his work a little better so he could then spend more time with his family.

How did this student score? 1. Q=Yes, he did restate both questions 2. A=No, he did NOT provide a paragraph for each bullet 3. S=No, he did NOT provide any example/support from the passage 4. I=Yes, he did offer insight and give a personal example 2

Last student sample…  The best way always seem to be the hard way because it is the right honest way of work. The best way is when you do what your supposed to and not what you want. That is a main reason why it is hard because you don’t want to do it the hard way you want the easiest way possible. Most of the time the easy way starts off good and ends up bad. For instance, the closing situation started good and exploded in Doug’s face. The hard way took too must time, so he decided to take the easiest way possible. When you do something the way you want and not the way you should it ends up bad. Doug could have just dealt with the responsibilities that he was given. Instead of being irresponsible and doing something that was going to backfire. Doug could have made up a schedule so he would have had time for what he had to do and then free time. He could of made different shifts with different hours to work. Doug should’ve asked for his vacation days or talked to someone about his many responsibilities.

What did this student earn? 3 WHY?

Why does the best way out of a difficult situation often seem to be the hard way? Question Support Insight The best way always seem to be the hard way because it the right honest full of work way. The best way is when you do what your supposed to and not what you want. That is a main reason why it is hard because you don’t want to do it the hard way you want the easiest way possible. Most of the time the easy way starts off good and ends up bad. For instance, the closing situation started good and exploded in Doug’s face. The hard way took too must time, so he decided to take the easiest way possible by cloning himself. When you do something the way you want and not the way you should it ends up bad.

How might Doug have handled his situation in a more productive manner? Question Support Insight Doug could have just dealt with the responsibilities that he was given. Instead of being irresponsible and doing something that was going to backfire. Doug could have made up a schedule so he would have had time for what he had to do and then free time. He could of made different shifts with different hours to work. Doug should’ve asked for his vacation days or talked to someone about his many responsibilities.