Multiple Choice Questions HSPA Testing Etiquette Open-Ended Questions Expository Writing Persuasive Writing HSPA Testing Etiquette 20 40 60 80 100

Category 1 for 20 If you are unsure of an answer, should you leave it blank? Why or why not?

Category 1 for 20 No- never leave an answer blank! You will lose just as much credit for a wrong answer as you will for a blank answer, so you may as well guess… at least you have a 25% chance of getting it right!

Category 1 for 40 As you read through a text, persuasive or narrative, what should you be doing?

Category 1 for 40 You should first read the questions so, as you read, you can underline, circle, or jot notes about the main points of each paragraph, as they will relate to the questions.

Category 1 for 60 For questions that refer to the text, what is the best approach to take?

Category 1 for 60 The best approach is to go back and reread that entire section of text. This will be easy on the HSPA, because they typically give you paragraph numbers on the side of the text whenever it is a block to which you will be referring.

Category 1 for 80 What types of words should you watch out for in multiple choice answers?

Category 1 for 80 Concrete Words like: Always, All, Never, None, Nobody, Everybody, Must, etc. These words are meant to trick you into picking that answer. Look, instead, for Soft Words like: May, Sometimes, Some, etc.

Category 1 for 100 For vocabulary questions, what different ways are there to narrow down your options?

Category 1 for 100 1- Put your finger over the word and replace it with each of the options (A,B,C and D) Do any sound “off”? Eliminate! 2- Narrow down by part of speech- noun, verb, adjective, adverb. Eliminate! 3- Narrow down by connotation- positive vs. negative. Eliminate!

How long should your open-ended responses be? Category 2 for 20 How long should your open-ended responses be?

Category 2 for 20 You should write one FULLY-DEVELOPED paragraph for each bullet. Aim for at least 8 sentences in each paragraph.

What should you do in the first sentence of your response? Category 2 for 40 What should you do in the first sentence of your response?

Category 2 for 40 Restate the question!

What is the best way to support your personal opinion in a response? Category 2 for 60 What is the best way to support your personal opinion in a response?

Use text examples and incorporate quotes! Category 2 for 60 Use text examples and incorporate quotes!

Should you use quotes that are whole sentences? Why or why not? Category 2 for 80 Should you use quotes that are whole sentences? Why or why not?

Category 2 for 80 No- when you use full sentence quotes, you tend to just stick them in, without introducing or incorporating them. A higher level skill is to use fragment quotes and work them into your own sentence. Remember: you can change simple wording with square brackets [ ].

What should you do in the last sentence of your paragraph? Category 2 for 100 What should you do in the last sentence of your paragraph?

Category 2 for 100 Use a concluding sentence similar to your introductory statement… then EDIT!

Category 3 for 20 What is the minimum number of paragraphs that you should aim for in an Expository Writing response & how should it be written?

Category 3 for 20 Aim for a minimum of 4 paragraphs, and keep in mind that this is Expository (which means explanatory) not Narrative (which tells a story). Explain through examples.

Category 3 for 40 What should you accomplish in the introduction? HINT- think of it as a “GIFT”

Category 3 for 40 “GIFT” Grab the readers’ attention Integrate the quote, adage or topic Find background info to introduce the topic Thesis statement or main idea

What should you include in your first body paragraph? Category 3 for 60 What should you include in your first body paragraph?

Category 3 for 60 The first body paragraph(s) should be an example(s) from your own experience or observation. BUT- do not be tempted to relive the story; speak about it with an academic voice.

What should you include in your second body paragraph? Category 3 for 80 What should you include in your second body paragraph?

Category 3 for 80 The second body paragraph(s) should be an example(s) from literature, history, science or film. You can actually study for this part, because themes are UNIVERSAL. Think about some major novels that you have read thus far and/or some historical figures you’ve studied. Figure out what they stand for, what themes they exemplify, and be ready to present that into whatever prompt presents itself.

What should you accomplish in the conclusion? Category 3 for 100 What should you accomplish in the conclusion?

Category 3 for 100 “GURU” Generate final ideas w/o introducing new info Unify and summarize your ideas Remind audience of your main point / thesis Use a close/clincher

What is the best planning tool for persuasive writing? Category 4 for 20 What is the best planning tool for persuasive writing?

Category 4 for 20 Use the 3-by-3 method: come up with your 3 main points (for or against the proposal) and make sure you can support each with 3 support ideas (facts, statistics, anecdotes- these can be MADE UP, as long as they sound plausible)

How should you organize your introduction? Category 4 for 40 How should you organize your introduction?

Category 4 for 40 “RANT” Restate the problem Agree or disagree Name your 3 reasons / main ideas Thesis Statement

How should you organize your body paragraphs? Category 4 for 60 How should you organize your body paragraphs?

Category 4 for 60 “TEST” Transition word or phrase Explain your main idea (one for each body) Support w/ facts, examples, reasons, evidence Tie up with a concluding sentence

How should you organize your concluding paragraph? Category 4 for 80 How should you organize your concluding paragraph?

Category 4 for 80 “RATE” Rephrase the problem Approach your 3 main examples Thematic Clincher Edit your work using the Writer’s Checklist

What do you need to remember about audience, mode and point of view? Category 4 for 100 What do you need to remember about audience, mode and point of view?

Category 4 for 100 Audience- look to see whom you should be addressing (principal, state board, parent…) * Mode- how your writing should be presented (letter, essay, speech) Point of View- choose the position that is easiest to write about, even if you do not agree with it personally

What time should I be here and where? Category 5 for 20 What time should I be here and where?

Category 5 for 20 Testing begins following breakfast no exceptions! The testing sites are currently posted in the 300 wing. You will meet in the cafeteria before going to your testing room.

What should you do with your cell phone? Category 5 for 40 What should you do with your cell phone?

Category 5 for 40 Leave it at home, put it in your locker OR turn it off AND hand it in to one of your proctors. If your phone is found on you, even if it is off, your test will be voided V2, which means (at the very LEAST) you will be pulled from testing, placed in a senior HSPA class, and be unable to retake the HSPA until Fall of your senior year.

What can you have on your desk while testing? Category 5 for 60 What can you have on your desk while testing?

Category 5 for 60 Just your testing materials and pencils: we will provide EVERYTHING: booklets, scrap paper, pencils, calculators, etc.

How serious is the SILENCE rule? Category 5 for 80 How serious is the SILENCE rule?

Category 5 for 80 There is absolutely NO TALKING during the test. In fact, during brief breaks, you will be permitted to stand and stretch- silently. If you need to use the bathroom on a testing break, a proctor will escort you to the bathroom!

What do you have to bubble on your answer folder? Category 5 for 100 What do you have to bubble on your answer folder?

Category 5 for 100 Thanks to modern technology, most of the work has been done for you! Do not bubble anything in, unless you are TOLD to do so. Your student information sticker has most of the pertinent info. You will be gridding: your grade, test form and test booklet #. You may check the other information, but do not correct it. Tell the proctor if there is a discrepancy.