The Genre of Test Reading

We have read and learned about all types of genre so far. Testing Genre All the practice we have done with these genres has prepared us for the next genre…

Different Types of Reading There are different ways we read depending on the purpose for reading. Authors have different purposes in writing. Entertain - inform - persuade Every type of reading has it’s place.

Think about your parents….. Do you see them read the newspaper and answer questions at the end? NO, but they may skim and scan Do you see them read a recipe and have to take a quiz on that? NO..but they go back and re- read and clarify directions Do they take a test on the directions they read about how to upload an iPod? NO..thank goodness, right!! But they do go back a re- read…A LOT!!

Test Reading These are the same strategies you guys are practicing everyday. We are going to use all these strategies and show our knowledge on the test. The very best way to get ready for the test is by all the practice we do everyday! We practice with whole group lessons, explicit lessons, powerpoints, Toolkit lessons, independent reading books, ARMT practice passages, ThinkLink, Word Study, vocabulary….

Test Reading We do need to go over the Genre of Test Reading a bit more explictly. We are practicing with things that look like the test. You have to look for key words. You have to choose the best answer.

READ the passage/answer questions Think about what you know but concentrate mainly on what’s in the text Don’t over infer-find clues supported by the text! Pay Attention to Signal Words (suprisingly, sometimes, most, importantly, in conclusion) Watch for tricky answers!

READ the passage/answer questions Get rid of answers you KNOW are wrong Get rid of answers that are unlikely/unreasonable Recognize the difference in literal questions/inferential questions Check your answer number and your bubbled answer to make sure you are on the right question/answer. SLOW DOWN….pay attention to the last paragraph. It often contains the bigger idea or conclusion.

Skim and scan the text, matching the words of the question to word in the test. Find the section that refers to the words in the question and scan that part. Scan several paragraphs to notice events or steps in a sequence. Eliminate answers you know to be untrue. Literal Questions

Merge your thinking with text clues to infer: BK + TC = I Search for evidence to support an answer. Determine the author’s message or purpose. Don’t over infer. Your first guess is usually the best!!! Inferential Questions

Think about the big idea or theme that is central to the story. Mostly about, mainly about…read for the gist. Eliminate distractors that don’t relate to the main idea. Stick to the information in the passage. Just because it is a fact does not make it the main idea. Use the process of elimination. Summarizing and Synthesizing

Read the entire sentence to figure out context. Match parts of speech – nouns to nouns… Know what synonyms, antonyms, opposites, and similar means. Eliminate definitions you know do not fit. Vocabulary Questions

Watch the time. Don’t lose track or you won’t get finished. Don’t stop. Keep on going. Avoid spending too much time on one question. Focus thinking and don’t let your attention wander. Keep Moving

Test Reading You will use your background knowledge But focus on the text for your answers… It’s a balancing act!

Practice Build Confidence “Can-Do” Attitude “Beat the Test”-You can psych out the test!!! Justify Your Answers-defend your choices

Know the Format Learn the test vocabulary Work with the answer sheet format Know the test rules Know the design and layout of the test

Get the BIG PICTURE Look for and carefully read directions Read the title of the passage Skim and scan Check out the text features Identify the genre

Persistant You may be overwhelmed and something may be difficult-But don’t give up! You can do it! You are ready!

Use extra time to check over the test. Look over your bubbles. Are they filled incorrectly? Did you skip any? Review confusing questions. Review your answers

Read the passage. Look at the title and the subheadings.

You must use the context clues to answer the question.

This is a literal question. We can find the exact words and answer the question.

This is a summarizing and synthesizing questions. Eliminate the answers we know are not correct. This article is about much more than this. This is a strong possibility. This is true but does it really talk about the article. There is no evidence that humans can control the weather. B is the best answer.

This is an inferential question. We can eliminate a and b first because the reasons aren’t logical: most weather doesn’t happen at weather stations and the article says nothing about altitude increasing danger. Could be a possibility but there are volcanoes in many places not just Washington State. Skimming the text I can see that the hurricane, volcano and tsunami sections all mention ocean origins. This has a lot of text evidence. This is the best answer.

This is a literal question. Skim the text and find the matching words.

This is an inferential question. Let’s look at the answer choices carefully. Remember we are drawing conclusions. We can eliminate (b) because natural disasters occur all over the world. We know that (d) is not correct based on the text evidence and we can eliminate ( c ) because we can’t always predict earthquakes and tornadoes. So (a) is the strongest answer.

Try it on your own You can do it! Remember all the tips!!!!