Answering Short Constructed Response Questions

Modified fromhttp://www.ham.miamioh.edu/beacon/content/oat_prep_2-05-08.ppt

Literacy TAhttp://www.hopees.u69.k12.me.us/HES/htmlfiles/resources/teacher/powerpoints%20from%20ct%20550/Richappt_files/Richappt.ppt

.http://mdk12.org/assessments/k_8/items/cr_grade6_reading.html

https://datadeb.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/examples-of-prompts-for-reading-constructed-response.pdfhttp://mdk12.org/assessments/k_8/items/cr_grade8_reading.html

http://parcconline.org/sites/parcc/files/Grade%208%20Sample%20Item%20Set-Revised%204-25-14.pdffile:///Users/sunnywilliams/Downloads/ela-grade-6-sample-questions.pdf

How to Attack Prompts

• 1. Circle Verbs of What You Have to Do• 2. Underline Question/What You Have to Do• 3. Box Audience-If provided. If not, write teacher on

the bottom and box.• 4. Cloud the Source You are to Use-if Given

• Memorize these steps—what is underlined above. You will have a quiz on them as well as applying them. Quiz: Verbs and Steps—_______; Test on applying the steps will be _______

Analyze To examine parts and see how they fit together

Compare To look at similarities and differences

Construct To make or create

Describe To show what something is like

Evaluate Make a decision or judgment

Explain To make clear by giving reasons

Formulate To develop an idea based on information

Identify To name or list

Infer To draw a conclusion beyond what is stated

Interpret To explain the meaning of

Predict To tell what will happen next

Summarize To briefly state the main points

Support To give facts or examples

Trace To describe a path or sequence

Verbs and What they Mean—Memorize for Test—2/12

Practice the Steps

1. You have been chosen to lead a discussion with a small group of classmates.In your Answer Document, describe two strategies or techniques you would use to lead the group discussion in a constructive way.

Practice the Steps

In both the Demosthenes biography and the Icarus and Daedalus myth, the main characters exhibit determination in pursuit of their goals.

Did determination help both main characters reach their goals, or did it lead them to tragedy? Explain whether determination helped or hurt the two main characters. Write your answer in complete sentences.

In your response, be sure to do the following:-describe how determination affected the outcome in Demosthenes.-describe how determination affected the outcome in Icarus and Daedalus. -explain whether determination helped or hurt the two main characters. -use details from both passages in your response.

Practice the Steps2. Before Europeans settled in Ohio, forests covered most of the area. Today, much of that forest is gone.

In your Answer Document, identify two ways that settlers or later Ohioans used the forests.

Then choose one of the ways and explain a positive consequence and a negative consequence of using the forest that way. Provide evidence from the article, “Using the Forests for Good or Bad.”

Practice the Steps3. Flagstone Middle School pays for new band instruments with profits from its vending machines. The biggest seller is Monster Cola. But a recent study, “Cola’s Effects on Teens,” reports that drinks with caffeine, such as Monster Cola, may cause children’s sleep problems. Flagstone’s principal wants to remove Monster Cola and other caffeinated drinks from the school’s vending machines.

In your Answer Document, identify one possible disadvantage of the principal’s decision and explain why it is a disadvantage. Cite evidence from the study, “Cola’s Effects on Teens.”

Practice the Steps4. The Framers began writing the Constitution of the United States in May 1787, but it was not ratified by all thirteen states until May 1790. One of the issues debated during the Constitutional Convention was the congressional representation of enslaved Africans.

In your Answer Document, explain the positions of both Northern delegates and Southern delegates on the issue of congressional representation of enslaved Africans using details from both texts.

Practice the Steps5. The British Parliament’s decision to tax the American colonists caused conflict between the colonies and Britain. Read the following quotations from a British newspaper and a Massachusetts colonist.

“The Colonies were acquired with no other view than to be a convenience to us, and therefore it can never be imagined that we are to consult their interest.” —The London Chronicle, 1764

“If our trade be taxed, why not our lands, or produce ... in short, everything we possess? They tax us without having legal representation. —Samuel Adams, 1765

In your Answer Document, compare how these two authors differ in their opinions about taxing the colonies.

When Answering

It’s usually a good idea to use the following words to make your middle sentences go together better:

First Second For instanceOn one hand…on the other handIn the first place…in the second place…Then Now NextHowever Afterward Finally

In Concluding

Write an ending sentence. You can start your last sentence by using these words:

In conclusion As a resultConsequently Therefore

After Writing Response

Read your answer one more time.

• Does it answer the question?

• Does it make sense?

• Does it say what you mean?