What is ACE? ACE is a strategy used for answering short answer or extended response questions (essay questions).

The ACE Strategy has 4 parts: 1. Answer the question 2. Cite evidence 3. Explain your answer 4. Summary

Part 1 1. A nswer the question a. Answer the question completely. b. Use key words from the question in your responses.

Part 2 2. C ite evidence from the text (Tell why!) a. Include evidence from your reading or research to prove your answer.

Part 3 3. E xplain – extend or expand your answer (Tell more!) a. Extend your response by explaining the connection between the information you cited in step 2 and your answer in step 1. b. Make it clear that you know the answer because of the evidence and why it is important.

Now let’s practice! Gorillas in Crisis By Kathleen Donovan-Snavely What will you have for supper tonight? Hotdogs? Pizza? Gorilla? It may surprise you to know that these gentle creatures of the jungle regularly appear as the featured entrée at many a meal served near the African rainforest. For nearly 12 million people, gorilla meat is an important source of protein. That isn’t the only problem that haunts gorillas lately. The combined threats posed by hunters and loggers are eliminating large numbers of gorillas in central and West Africa. Trophy hunters value gorillas for their collectible heads and hands. Loggers clear vast areas of the gorillas’ habitat for the lumber. The future of gorillas in the wild is at risk.

Here is your question: What are the factors threatening gorillas in the wild?

Step 1: Answer the question The factors threatening gorillas in the wild are their value as a food source, trophy hunters, and lumber companies. **Notice that I included key words from the question in my response.

Step 2: Cite evidence Nearly 12 million people eat gorillas for the protein they provide. Also, hunters can make a lot of money by selling the heads and hands of gorillas to collectors. Finally, lumber companies are cutting down huge numbers of trees for the lumber leaving gorillas no place to live. **Notice that I included evidence from the paragraph to support my answer

Step 3: Extend/Explain your answer Humans are responsible for the precarious state of gorillas in the wild and unless we stop these practices, gorillas are at risk of extinction.

Here’s what it looks like all together!! The factors threatening gorillas in the wild are their value as a food source, trophy hunters, and lumber companies. Nearly 12 million people eat gorillas for the protein they provide. Also, hunters can make a lot of money by selling the heads and hands of gorillas to collectors. Finally, lumber companies are cutting down huge numbers of trees for the lumber leaving gorillas no place to live. Humans are responsible for the precarious state of gorillas in the wild and unless we stop these practices, gorillas are at risk of extinction.