Mastering the Reading HSPE

There are four types of questions on the Reading HSPE: Multiple Choice Multiple Choice Short Answer Short Answer Stand Alone Stand Alone Completion Completion

Sample Multiple Choice: What is the main conflict in the poem? A. A tortoise emerges from hibernation. B. A tortoise demonstrates curiosity. C. A tortoise seeks his former home. D. A tortoise lives near the ocean.

Sample Short Answer: Contrast how postal service was paid for in the 1800s and how it is paid for today. Include two details from the selection in your answer.

Sample Stand Alone: Which of these websites would provide the most reliable information about the history of apples in Washington State?

Choose based on info: A. Washington State Produce Directory the process from seed to harvest is a tome consuming endeavor… A. Washington State Produce Directory the process from seed to harvest is a tome consuming endeavor… B. Apples Online discover the best types of apples… B. Apples Online discover the best types of apples… C. Washington Orchards Apples first found their way to WA in 1826 on a Hudson’s Bay Co sailing… C. Washington Orchards Apples first found their way to WA in 1826 on a Hudson’s Bay Co sailing… D. Welcome to Apple Country Apples come in many sizes… D. Welcome to Apple Country Apples come in many sizes…

Completion: Read this sentence: Read this sentence: Our love is like a red, red rose. In this sentence, the author uses simile to show/compare ______ and ________.

Reading questions are designed to cover two types of texts: Literary Literary (poems, stories, biographies, excerpts from novels, etc.) Informational Informational (current events, historical or scientific articles, charts, diagrams, ads, etc.)

If your text is literary, the questions will focus on the following skills: Understanding theme or message Understanding theme or message Summarizing with evidence from the text Summarizing with evidence from the text Making inferences or predictions Making inferences or predictions Interpreting vocabulary from text Interpreting vocabulary from text Understanding literary elements (plot, character, setting, etc.) Understanding literary elements (plot, character, setting, etc.)

If your text is literary, the questions will focus on the following skills: Comparing/contrasting literary elements (characters, events, etc.) in a piece of text Comparing/contrasting literary elements (characters, events, etc.) in a piece of text Comparing/contrasting two different texts Comparing/contrasting two different texts Analyzing author’s purpose (tone, fact/opinion, message, etc.) Analyzing author’s purpose (tone, fact/opinion, message, etc.) Evaluating reasoning in characters/ideas Evaluating reasoning in characters/ideas Extending beyond the text Extending beyond the text

If your text is informational, the questions will focus on the following skills: Understanding major ideas and supporting details Understanding major ideas and supporting details Summarizing with evidence from the reading Summarizing with evidence from the reading Making inferences or predictions Making inferences or predictions Interpreting vocabulary from text Interpreting vocabulary from text Understanding text features (titles, headings, table of contents, indexes, captions, glossaries, appendices, charts, graphs, etc.) Understanding text features (titles, headings, table of contents, indexes, captions, glossaries, appendices, charts, graphs, etc.)

If your text is informational, the questions will focus on the following skills: Comparing/contrasting information from the text Comparing/contrasting information from the text Comparing/contrasting two different texts Comparing/contrasting two different texts Analyzing author’s purpose (tone, persuasive devices, fact v. opinion, stereotypes, bias) Analyzing author’s purpose (tone, persuasive devices, fact v. opinion, stereotypes, bias) Evaluating reasoning of ideas Evaluating reasoning of ideas Extending beyond the text Extending beyond the text

Before you read, pre-read! Look at: Look at: Title Title Source (Sports Illustrated v. Voice of the Valley) Source (Sports Illustrated v. Voice of the Valley) Photos or illustrations Photos or illustrations Charts or graphs Charts or graphs Boldface print Boldface print

Before you read, pre-read! Think about your background knowledge. (What do you already know about this topic?) Think about your background knowledge. (What do you already know about this topic?) Think about questions you may have about the topic. Think about questions you may have about the topic.

Pre-reading: Think about one thing you already know about this topic Think about one question you have about this topic READ THE QUESTIONS!!!!

Reading: Once you begin reading, interact with the text. In the margins, write: Questions Questions (What is confusing? What does this make you wonder?) (What is confusing? What does this make you wonder?) Connections Connections (How does this relate to: personal experience, school learning, history, current events, a book you’ve read, music, art, etc.?) Predictions Predictions (What do you think is going to happen?) Objections Objections (What do you disagree with? What bothers you?)

Reading: As you read, pause every few paragraphs to: Stop and re-read parts that are confusing Stop and re-read parts that are confusing Summarize the content Summarize the content Predict where the article or story is heading Predict where the article or story is heading

Reading: Write a one-sentence summary of the paragraph you just read. Predict what you think the rest of the article will discuss.

Post-reading: After you’re finished: Summarize the article or story Summarize the article or story Think about: Think about: Author’s point of view Author’s point of view Biases: yours or the author’s Biases: yours or the author’s Purpose of the piece Purpose of the piece Tone Tone Main idea Main idea Problem/solution Problem/solution Intended audience Intended audience Voice/style Voice/style

Now let’s try it! Pencil Pencil Packet Packet Ready Ready

Testing: All questions on the Reading HSPE will directly relate to the skills outlined earlier. All questions are also designed so that you will look back at the reading (not automatically know the answer).

Reading HSPE Tips: Do NOT write outside the lines provided. Anything that extends beyond the lines will NOT be graded. Do NOT write outside the lines provided. Anything that extends beyond the lines will NOT be graded. Always include one MORE detail than the prompt asks for. You don’t want graders to have any doubt that you’ve answered the question completely. Always include one MORE detail than the prompt asks for. You don’t want graders to have any doubt that you’ve answered the question completely. WRITE! You can’t write yourself into a wrong answer or out of a correct one. You CAN write too little. WRITE! You can’t write yourself into a wrong answer or out of a correct one. You CAN write too little.

Reading HSPE Tips: You will not be punished for guessing on the multiple choice. If you don’t know the answer, look for it in the text, eliminate as many choices as you can, and then guess. Never leave a multiple choice answer blank. You will not be punished for guessing on the multiple choice. If you don’t know the answer, look for it in the text, eliminate as many choices as you can, and then guess. Never leave a multiple choice answer blank. Take your time. The HSPE is not a timed test, so there is no need to rush through anything (even if your classmates do). Take your time. The HSPE is not a timed test, so there is no need to rush through anything (even if your classmates do).

Reading HSPE Tips: There are many resources available to you if you would like to learn more about the HSPE, or even try a practice test. There are many resources available to you if you would like to learn more about the HSPE, or even try a practice test. ampleReleasedMaterialsGradeHS.aspx ampleReleasedMaterialsGradeHS.aspx There are no tricks. The HSPE measures 10 th grade skills from 10 th grade readings. If a question seems easy, it’s probably because your teachers have prepared you well. There are no tricks. The HSPE measures 10 th grade skills from 10 th grade readings. If a question seems easy, it’s probably because your teachers have prepared you well.

The HSPE takes place on the following dates: If you are not present on the day of the test, you are not eligible to pass If you are not present on the day of the test, you are not eligible to pass March 12, 13, 14, 2013