1. English Language Arts 30-2
Diploma Exam Preparation – “Part B”
Reading Comprehension

2. description 8-10 reading selections (readings booklet)
70 questions (questions booklet)
three hours
This examination contains questions that refer to more than one reading selection. Read the texts and answer the questions in the order that they appear in the Readings Booklet and Questions Booklet.

3. genres non-fiction multimedia short stories poetry Shakespeare
modern drama
novel
visual texts

4. REVIEW theory unit U5L3 literary terms list multiple choice strategies
reading comprehension
Part “B” diploma exams with key

5. terminology
There are questions about or involving terms; therefore, you need to know which term is which in order to answer those questions.
For example, if you know what paradox is, and are asked about the paradoxical aspect of a character’s existence, you will have a much easier time responding to the question than if you have no idea how to define the term.

6. common terms frequency # terms included 100% 1 75-99% 4 50-74% 7
irony
75-99% 4
allusion, imagery, metaphor, tone
50-74% 7
context, contrast, mood, paradox, purpose, setting, symbol, theme
25-49% 16
alliteration, analogy, anecdote, character, cliché, conflict, excerpt, foreshadowing, hyperbole, juxtaposition, narrator, personification, simile, speaker, thesis, understatement

7. basic MC strategies read questions, selection, questions
re-read in context
check all questions answered
don’t change your answers!!
don’t over-think / over-analyze

8. question order The questions are constructed in a certain order.
They are designed to lead you through the text, and the last question is often the theme/idea question
Read through all the questions to the last one, for a specific piece of text, before beginning to answer any.

9. read EVERYTHING title preamble author biography
Create concept maps / graphic organizers for excerpts.
If it’s not important, it wouldn’t be included on the exam!!

10. highlight Write on the text, with either a pencil or a highlighter.
highlight the line in the text to which the question refers
highlight key words in the stem
cross out choices which are not possible
circle answers which are possible.

11. key words
Circle the key word or idea in the stem, and draw a line to a connecting word in the answer.
Focus on what the question asks.
The repetition of the word “boxes” in the first stanza emphasizes images of constraint, while the repetition of the word “music” in the second stanza emphasizes images of
a. experience
b. strength
c. freedom
d. wisdom

12. text rules!
When writing a literary essay, your interpretation of literature is acceptable >> a logical interpretation supported by concrete details from the text.
In multiple choice, however, it’s not your opinion.”
In the case of the multiple choice test, Text Always Wins.
It is very important that you go back to the text, as that's where the answers are. When it comes down to two answers, the one that can be supported best from the text overall is the answer (for directing questions especially).

13. general . . . Look for specific responses, not general ones
Directing words suggest that all alternatives have some element of truth – discriminate between weaker and strongest choices. “In the context of” is also directing.
Linked passages are linked more by perspective than context – find the commonality.
Shakespeare tends to be literal comprehension while poetry tends to be figurative.

14. directing words most clearly most emphatically most strongly mainly
(best)
“in the context of”
These words certainly indicate that there is an element of truth in ALL of the responses. Look for the one that works for the entire paragraph, passage, or selection under question.

15. tracking Use a solid, opaque ruler to read text line by line.
This forces you to track the text and keeps your focus on it.
Be sure to read what the questions asks, not what you think it asks.
How many species of each animal did Moses take along on the ark?

16. construction of questions
Each answer is a possibility.
1. 3 X 2 =
a. 5
b. 6
c. 1
d. 1.5
Each of the answers is possible, if a mistake in reading or reasoning is made.

17. unfamiliar vocabulary
Don’t choose an answer simply because you don’t know what a word means and you think that must make it a good choice.
Go back into the text, using context clues to help you to determine what a word means.
Very low incomes are exempt from taxation.
Money cannot compensate him for the loss of his child.

18. filling in the scantron sheet
One suggestion is to fill in the scantron sheet at the end.
With two booklets and a scantron sheet, the possibility for filling in the wrong answers exist.
Circle answers on the test, so at the end, you can quickly fill in the scantron sheet.
This method also eliminates the problem of erasing a change completely.
If you are not comfortable with this method, be sure to clearly mark on the sheet when you skip a question!!

19. Prepare: Part B
Write a previous exam under exam conditions – two hours, no breaks, no dictionary or thesaurus.
If possible, use an exam from “The KEY” which provides an annotated answer key.
DO NOT OVER-THINK / OVER-ANALYZE YOUR RESPONSES!!