1. How do I answer a Constructed-Response question?
“On Your Mark!
Get Set!
GO!”

2. Strategies Read the question more than once.
Underline, circle, or mark key words in the question (Make sure you use these key words in your response.).
Underline key words, phrases, and details from the passage that relate to your question. These details will serve as the cited details in your answer.
Your concluding sentence should extend your answer to include a statement of relevancy (the “So What Factor”). These extensions may include “text-to-self,” “text-to-text,” or “text-to-world” connections.

3. How do I answer a constructed-response item?
Use the R.A.C.E. formula:
Restate the question
Answer all parts of the question
Cite details from the passage to support your answer
Extend your answer to include its relevancy

4. R.A.C.E.—Restate the Question
If the question for a Constructed-Response item was…
Describe the character of The Big Bad Wolf in the story “The Three Little Pigs and The Big Bad Wolf.” Make sure to cite specific details from the story to support your answer.
I would need to restate the question in my response. What are the key words in this test item?
Describe the character of The Big Bad Wolf in the story “The Three Little Pigs and The Big Bad Wolf.” Make sure to cite specific details from the story to support your answer.
My answer would start with the restatement of the question:
The character of The Big Bad Wolf in the story “The Three Little Pigs and The Big Bad Wolf” is…

5. R.A.C.E.—Answer the Question
Since I have restated the question in my answer, I can now record the answer to the question.
Remember, my answer is starting with the restatement of the question:
The character of The Big Bad Wolf in the story “The Three Little Pigs and The Big Bad Wolf” is…
Now, I add my answer to the question:
The character of The Big Bad Wolf in the story “The Three Little Pigs and The Big Bad Wolf” is a static character because he remains the same from the beginning of the story to the end of the story.

6. R.A.C.E.—Cite the Text
We are on track. Now that I have restated and answered the question, I have to support my answer with information from the text.
Writing Point: Use a Transition to move from your answer to your evidence. (i.e. “For example…,” “For instance…,” or “In the passage…”)
The character of The Big Bad Wolf in the story “The Three Little Pigs and The Big Bad Wolf” is a static character because he remains the same from the beginning of the story to the end of the story. For example, The Big Bad Wolf is greedy and appears to be a bully to the first pig while blowing his house down. As the story progresses, The Big Bad Wolf continues the same behaviors as he demands to be let into the second pig’s house and, again, blows down the second pig’s house. Even when The Big Bad Wolf is unable to blow down the third pig’s house, which is made of brick, he fails to see the error of his ways.

7. R.A.C.E.—Extend Beyond the Text
The R.A.C.E. is almost Complete! Now, we must show a relevance between our answer and the passage. How can we extend this information beyond the text?
Text-to-Text: Relate your information to another story, movie, show, or song.
“What I just read reminds me of __________ because…”
“The ideas in this text are very similar/different to _________ because…”
Text-to-Self: Relate your information to yourself.
“The events in this story remind me of the time…”
“I completely understand what this character experienced because I, too,…”
“I disagree with how __________ handled this conflict because I …”
Text-to-World: Relate your information to the world/society.
“What I just read reminds of ….(significant historical event)”
“The situation from this story makes me think about what is going on in (local/global area) because…”
“After reading this passage, I wonder how future generations will relate to…”

8. R.A.C.E.—Extend Beyond the Text
The R.A.C.E. is almost Complete! Now, we must show a relevance between our answer and the passage. How can we extend this information beyond the text?
I believe I will use a Text-to-Self extension to show relevancy.
The character of The Big Bad Wolf in the story “The Three Little Pigs and The Big Bad Wolf” is a static character because he remains the same from the beginning of the story to the end of the story. For example, The Big Bad Wolf is greedy and appears to be a bully to the first pig while blowing his house down. As the story progresses, The Big Bad Wolf continues the same behaviors as he demands to be let into the second pig’s house and, again, blows down the second pig’s house. Even when The Big Bad Wolf is unable to blow down the third pig’s house, which is made of brick, he fails to see the error of his ways. After reading this passage, I am reminded about the importance of treating others with respect. Unlike the static character of The Big Bad Wolf, I will make an effort to be kind to my neighbors and behave towards them as I wish for them to behave towards me.

9. Your Turn.
Based on what you have read from Flowers for Algernon (pages 182 to 203), describe the changes you have seen in Charlie. Make sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your answer.
Step 1: Restate the Question:
Based on what I have read from “Flowers for Algernon,” Charlie
Step 2: Answer the Question:
Based on what I have read from “Flowers for Algernon,” Charlie has experienced many changes.

10. Step 3: Cite Details From the Passage:
Based on what I have read from “Flowers for Algernon,” Charlie has experienced many changes. For example, Charlie’s spelling, which include “progris riport” in the early progress reports on pages 182 and 183 demonstrate his struggles with basic word formations. Conversely, his spelling has improved after the operation as he correctly spells and describes “Vrostadt’s equations on Levels of Semantic Progression” on page In addition to the spelling, Charlie’s intellect has dramatically increased because on the earlier pages he does not understand that the people he is working with are making fun of him; however, on page 193 he recognizes their true intent.

11. Answer all parts of the question Cite details and support your answer
Restate the question
Answer all parts of the question
Cite details and support your answer
Extend your answer to show relevancy
Victory Lap!
Describe the character of The Big Bad Wolf in the story “The Three Little Pigs and The Big Bad Wolf.” Make sure to cite specific details from the story to support your answer.
The character of The Big Bad Wolf in the story “The Three Little Pigs and The Big Bad Wolf” is a static character because he remains the same from the beginning of the story to the end of the story. For example, The Big Bad Wolf is greedy and appears to be a bully to the first pig while blowing his house down. As the story progresses, The Big Bad Wolf continues the same behaviors as he demands to be let into the second pig’s house and, again, blows down the second pig’s house. Even when The Big Bad Wolf is unable to blow down the third pig’s house, which is made of brick, he fails to see the error of his ways. After reading this passage, I am reminded about the importance of treating others with respect. Unlike the static character of The Big Bad Wolf, I will make an effort to be kind to my neighbors and behave towards them as I wish for them to behave towards me.

12. Step 4: Extend your answer to include relevancy:
Based on what I have read from “Flowers for Algernon,” Charlie has experienced many changes. For example, Charlie’s spelling, which include “progris riport” in the early progress reports on pages 182 and 183 demonstrate his struggles with basic word formations. Conversely, his spelling has improved after the operation as he correctly spells and describes “Vrostadt’s equations on Levels of Semantic Progression” on page In addition to the spelling, Charlie’s intellect has dramatically increased because on the earlier pages he does not understand that the people he is working with are making fun of him; however, on page 193 he recognizes their true intent. This section of the story reminds me of the importance of treating people with kindness and appreciating the positive gifts in everyone. Had Charlie been treated with kindness, he may not have struggled so much with living with his low intelligence.