Multiple Choice Test Strategies and Vocabulary English 11

Test Vocabulary: parts of test (NOUNS) Description* organizational pattern Account* structure Anecdote* format Speaker* arrangement Perspective Purpose Result Poetic form Term

Test Vocabulary: thinking processes (VERBS) Contrast Compare Indicate Acknowledge Suggest Clarify Emphasize Reveal Conclude Refer Exemplify

1.Description Meaning: an expression intended to give a mental image in words In Context: The purpose of the description in lines 7 though 10…

2. Account Meaning: a description of facts, conditions, or events (often used to mean the listening passage or non-fiction reading comprehension passage) In context: “The tone of the account would best be described as…”

3. Anecdote Meaning: a short narrative (story) of an interesting, amusing, or biographical incident. In context: “One conclusion that can be made from this anecdote is that…”

4. Speaker Meaning: one who expresses thoughts, feelings, and opinions In Context: According to the speaker, because of Thomas Edison’s many inventions he can be credited with…

5. Perspective Meaning: the position or capacity from which to view things In context: Which statement clarifies the perspective of the speaker?

6. Purpose Meaning: intention; goal In context: What is the purpose of using these strategies?

7. Result Meaning: outcome In context: One result of students being hungry is they…

8. Poetic form Meaning: the particular arrangement, style, or shape of a poem (elegy, ode, lyric, quatrain, sonnet, etc.) In context: “The form of the poem can best be described as…”

9. Term Meaning: key word In context: The term “afterlife” most likely refers to…

Added Terms Organizational pattern Format Structure Arrangement All of these terms refer to how a passage is shaped and organized. Consider genre and purpose.

Added Terms - Examples Chronological: 1 st, 2 nd, next, last Spatial order: east, west, upward, downward, north, south, right, left Elimination of alternatives: not, no, won’t, can’t, insufficient, unsubstantial Use of examples: this, the next, then

Added Terms – More Examples Order of importance: first, next, ultimately, primarily Compare and Contrast: more, less, better, worse Cause and Effect: first, originally, started, effect, result, outcome Question/Answer: question marks, propose, wonder, suppose, actually, really

10.Contrast Meaning: the difference between things having similar features In context: There is a contrast between the freshman class and the junior class; the juniors are self-directed.

11. Comparison Meaning: the identification of similar features In context: Several points of comparison between the characters demonstrate that “Quitters never win and winners never quit.”

12.Indicate Meaning: to point out or point to In context: “The term ‘knucklehead’ most likely indicates…”

13. Acknowledge Meaning: to recognize or take notice of In context: “One conclusion that can be made is he certainly acknowledged his setbacks were assets.”

14. Suggest Meaning: to mention or imply as a possibility In context: “The speaker suggests that we will reap what we sow.”

15. Clarify Meaning: to make clear or free of confusion In context: “Which statement clarifies the perspective of the speaker?”

16. Emphasize Meaning: urge special consideration of; stress In context: “Edison’s remark emphasizes his passion for learning.”

17. Reveal Meaning: to make known In context: “Maeve’s fun-loving attitude reveals her desire to be more positive.”

18. Conclude Meaning: to reach a logical end by reasoning; infer In context: “Based on the information in the passage, it can be concluded that…”

19. Refer Meaning: to think of, regard, or classify within a general category or group In context: The term “hell-bent” most likely refers to…”

20. Exemplify Meaning: to show or illustrate by example In context: Requiring the ELA exam exemplifies our state’s belief that standardized tests glean valuable information about the status of public education.

Step 1: Work with the questions Read and underline key terms in QUESTIONS as soon as allowed to do so. –Part 1(Critical Reading) There will be up to three passages. Before reading each passage, be sure to read and mark questions.

Step 2: Work with the Passage Read (or listen to) PASSAGE with pen and highlighter in hand. Highlight key terms, look for structural cues, and paraphrase each paragraph /stanza/ main idea in the margins. –This process will familiarize you with the structure and concepts in each passage, and prepare you with phrases and synonyms that may be mentioned in the MCQs.

Step 3: Return to the questions Narrow possible answers by process of elimination. When narrowed to two possible answers, look at both parts of each of the two answers to determine which answer is best. –Often, the correct answer is made clear in the last word or phrase of the answer.