1. 8 Powerful Words TAKS Prep
English

2. Day 1

3. Tell in your own words why or how
EXPLAIN
Tell in your own words why or how

4. Point out, take special notice
EMPHASIZE
Point out, take special notice

5. Back it up, prove it, give examples
SUPPORT
Back it up, prove it, give examples

6. Example:
1. What is the theme of the story “The Crystal Night”? Explain your answer using evidence.
Find the powerful word in the question above. Then find that word on your chart on pages 5-6.
Write the number of the question you found the word in.
Then explain: What is the question asking you to do with the work?
#1: To explain how/why this is the story’s theme. Use quotes.

7. Which powerful word do you see?
1. How would you describe the German soldiers in “The Crystal Night”? Support your answer with evidence from the selection.
a. What powerful word?
b. Where on your chart? …………
c. What is it asking? ………………..
Write the number of the question next to word.
Explain what the question is asking you to do specifically.

8. Which powerful word do you see?
2. What is the primary conflict in “Breakfast in Virginia”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.
a. What powerful word?
b. Where on your chart? …………
c. What is it asking? ………………..
Write the number of the question next to word.
Explain what the question is asking you to do specifically.

9. Which powerful word do you see?
3. In paragraph 7, the author uses the words “creaked” and “shuddered” to emphasize the
attitude of the chief
condition of the truck
heat of the highway
fear of the couple
a. What powerful word?
b. Where on your chart? …………
c. What is it asking? ………………..
Write the number of the question next to word.
Explain what the question is asking you to do specifically.

10. Day 2

11. INFER
Read between the lines, get what’s being hinted at but not said directly

12. Make an educated guess on what will happen next
PREDICT
Make an educated guess on what will happen next

13. Come to a final understanding
CONCLUDE
Come to a final understanding

14. Which powerful word do you see?
Based on her earlier reaction to the news about John, what do you predict April will do next?
pretend that she has fainted
run away screaming
act like nothing matters to her
laugh loudly
a. What powerful word?
b. Where on your chart? …………
c. What is it asking? ………………..
Write the number of the question next to word.
Explain what the question is asking you to do specifically.

15. Which powerful word do you see?
The reader can infer that the elderly man:
identifies with the two corporals because his son is a soldier
believes there should be two separate types of cars on the train
performs an act of kindness because he feels superior to the two soldiers
a. What powerful word?
b. Where on your chart? …………
c. What is it asking? ………………..
Write the number of the question next to word.
Explain what the question is asking you to do specifically.

16. Which powerful word do you see?
From the reaction of the chief, the reader can conclude that
they are used to dealing with malaria
they do not care whether the boy dies
they grew up together near the hospital
they will have dinner together that evening
a. What powerful word?
b. Where on your chart? …………
c. What is it asking? ………………..
Write the number of the question next to word.
Explain what the question is asking you to do specifically.

17. Day 3

18. Give a short version of the whole thing
SUMMARIZE
Give a short version of the whole thing

19. The closest possible choice
BEST
The closest possible choice

20. BEST
Some examples of use: best describes, best demonstrates, best conveys, best reveals, best indicates, best illustrates, best represents, best expresses, best matches, etc. Be sure you read WHAT the question is asking for (underlining it helps)– and pick the closest choice. Even if you don’t understand every word, you should still be able to eliminate some choices.

21. Which powerful word do you see?
Which sentence from the story summarizes the attitude the Nazis displayed?
As I walked home, I heard loud shouting and singing.
Like all the other kids, I had become caught up in the excitement.
None of them seemed to notice me.
Momentarily startled, the giant trooper loosened his grip.
a. What powerful word?
b. Where on your chart? …………
c. What is it asking? ………………..
Write the number of the question next to word.
Explain what the question is asking you to do specifically.

22. Which powerful word do you see?
Which word best identifies what Superman represents for the narrator?
Independence
Intelligence
Protection
Purity
a. What powerful word?
b. Where on your chart? …………
c. What is it asking? ………………..
Write the number of the question next to word.
Explain what the question is asking you to do specifically.