1. TRUE/FALSE ISTEP ACTIVITY

2. Writing Prompts may be answered in less than 3 paragraphs.
FALSE  
You MUST have a beginning, middle, and an end at the very least, so less than 3 paragraphs would never work.

3. You must skip lines between paragraphs.
TRUE
You need to skip lines between paragraphs; this is helpful to the ISTEP+ grader, so that the grader can easily recognize that paragraphs actually exist.

4. ISTEP graders grade every response the same even if some responses are only one page.
FALSE
ISTEP graders want you to put effort into your work and that means a little bit of length in your essay is a good thing.

5. Students who have better handwriting usually receive a higher score.
TRUE
Fair or Unfair – You must be neat. It does help improve the score.

6. It’s a waste of time to annotate the text.
FALSE
 It is absolutely not a waste of time to annotate the text.  By annotating text, you are becoming a critical reader and this is important so that you are actively involved while reading.  This means that you are noting key ideas and having an ongoing conversation with yourself as you read and record your thoughts.

7. Pre-writing does not affect your score.
FALSE
 ISTEP+ instructions indicate that pre-writing is not graded, but that does not mean your pre-writing does not affect your score.  The better plan you have; the better score you will receive.

8. My planning should include my thesis statement and a topic for each body paragraph.
TRUE
When writing an informative essay or argumentative essay, you must include the thesis for your entire essay in your introduction and of course your assertion for each body paragraph.

9. One of the most important steps to be successful on a writing prompt is to carefully read the prompt.
TRUE
Read the prompt, circle the words that tell you the type of essay you will be writing, underline the words that tell you exactly what you are writing about, and highlight key vocabulary words from the prompt.

10. Editing Marks are not allowed on ISTEP+.
FALSE
Editing marks are allowed.  As a matter of fact, ISTEP+ graders actually give points when they notice that you have taken the time to edit your work.

11. Your test is graded by a computer.
FALSE
The writing portion of ISTEP+ is graded by a real person.

12. Don’t worry about going back to the text for your evidence.
FALSE
Yes, you must cite the text by using phrases like “according to the text,” “as the author states,” etc.

13. Your best writing will include an “explain” section that includes your good thinking.
TRUE
Remember, you must explain your thinking to the ISTEP+ grader.  We know you have good thoughts - just remember to put them on paper.

14. Proper nouns RULE; Nouns/pronouns DROOL.
TRUE
As much as possible, use proper nouns; ISTEP+ graders get really confused with pronouns (sometimes the grader just doesn’t know what you are writing about … maybe a little short term memory loss is going on:)..

15. During ISTEP, hearing your writing voice inside your head is frowned upon.
FALSE
 After writing your essay, lift up your paper and read it aloud in your head.  You will then catch many of your errors.

16. In a narrative essay, all details in your writing must be true.
FALSE
You are allowed to “make up” your story as long as the story answers the prompt.

17. Be clear and fully answer all parts of the question.
TRUE
Double check to make sure you are answering the question/ all parts of the question.

18. You can receive full credit for a problem without showing work.
FALSE
You must show the process you used in order to receive full credit.

19. Each problem is worth multiple points, part for the answer – part for the process.
TRUE
All questions are worth more than one point.

20. You should show all steps, including mental math steps.
TRUE
All steps you took to solve the problem should be shown, including mental math.

21. You should answer all parts of the question, even if you are unsure.
TRUE
You can receive partial credit for work and you definitely cannot receive credit if you don’t try.

22. Phones and personal electronic devices MUST be placed in lockers.
TRUE
Phones and personal electronic devices cannot be in the testing environment.  

23. To earn my effort ticket, I should get a good night sleep before each testing day, eat a healthy breakfast, bring #2 pencils and my scientific calculator (if I own one), have a positive attitude, follow all directions, exhibit 100% effort, check and show all work, and try to show growth – do better than last year.
TRUE