Words of Wisdom STAAR Strategies

You can complete the test in any order.

Look at the titles of all of the passages Look at the titles of all of the passages. It’s usually best to read the passage that seems the most Difficult to you FIRST.

Before you read a passage, look over the questions.

As you read a passage use your “Stop and Jot” strategies.

If a question asks what a word means in a certain sentence, go back to that sentence and substitute the answer choices into it. Then pick the choice that completes the sentence with the same meaning as the original word.

Main idea questions this is usually found in the first sentence of the passage or paragraph. If it’s not there then it’s the topic the author has repeated throughout the passage.

Remember, Main Idea and Summary Are not the same! Summary questions Think BME! Remember, Main Idea and Summary Are not the same! A summary talks about the beginning, middle, and the end of the passage.

Author’s point of view or purpose questions: Ask yourself, “Why was this written?” and then think P.I.E.E. Is it a an advertisement (to persuade), factual/historical (to inform), A story (to entertain). Or A Letter (To Express)

Bubble your scantron VERY CAREFULLY. Erase completely and darken your final answer bubbles.

Then, come back to your test when your mind is refreshed. TAKE BREAKS!! Even when you have checked over all your work, just take another break and let your brain go “dead” for a bit. Then, come back to your test when your mind is refreshed.

Always recheck your work, especially the questions where you thought there were 2 possible good answers…you want the BEST answer.