English Language Arts 10-2, 20-2 Final Exam Preparation – “Part B” Reading Comprehension

Part B – reading You will be evaluated based on your ability to read excerpts and answer multiple choice questions that reflect your reading comprehension level. Reading excerpts will be derived from any of the following: non-fiction multimedia short stories Poetry Modern drama novel visual texts

REVIEW – in preparation, be sure to review the following: theory unit – every lesson all notes U5L2 – exam prep, Part B

terminology There are questions about or involving terms; therefore, you need to know which term is which in order to answer those questions. For example, if you know the difference between metaphor and simile before taking the test, and are asked which figure of speech is in line 12, you will already know the answer.

Tips for answering multiple choice questions read questions, selection, questions re-read in context check all questions answered don’t change your answers!! don’t over-think / over-analyze

READ EVERYTHING on the test!!! preamble instructions footnotes author notes DO NOT SKIM.

highlight Write on the text, with either a pencil or a highlighter. highlight the line in the text to which the question refers highlight key words in the stem cross out choices which are not possible circle answers which are possible

key words Circle the key word or idea in the stem, and draw a line to a connecting word in the answer. Focus on what the question asks. The repetition of the word “boxes” in the first stanza emphasizes images of constraint, while the repetition of the word “music” in the second stanza emphasizes images of a. experience b. strength c. freedom d. wisdom

graphic organizers for longer texts, such as excerpts from plays short stories novels, etc., create some sort of graphic organizer to help you keep track of characters plot

text rules! In the case of the multiple choice test, refer to the text for the correct answer! It is very important that you go back to the text, as that's where the answers are. When it comes down to two answers, the one that can be supported best from the text overall is the answer (for best or most questions especially).

tracking Use a solid, opaque ruler to read text line by line. This forces you to track the text and keeps your focus on it.

unfamiliar vocabulary Don’t choose an answer simply because you don’t know what a word means and you think that must make it a good choice. Go back into the text, using context clues to help you to determine what a word means. Very low incomes are exempt from taxation. Money cannot compensate him for the loss of his child.

construction of questions Each answer is a possibility X 2 = a. 5 b. 6 c. 1 d. 1.5 Each of the answers is possible, if a mistake in reading or reasoning is made, so be sure to read the question carefully!

question order The questions are constructed in a certain order. They are designed to lead you through the text, and the last question is often the theme/idea question Read through all the questions to the last one, for a specific piece of text, before beginning to answer any.

filling in the scantron sheet One suggestion is to fill in the scantron sheet at the end. With two booklets and a scantron sheet, the possibility for filling in the wrong answers exist. Circle answers on the test, so at the end, you can quickly fill in the scantron sheet. This method also eliminates the problem of erasing a change completely. If you are not comfortable with this method, be sure to clearly mark on the sheet when you skip a question!!