Breaking Down the NYS ELA Exam

Breakdown of Exam

Day 1: Read 7 passages (literary and informational) and answer 39 multiple-choice questions based on those passages. 90 minutes

Day 2: (Listening Section)- you will have it read to you TWICE, and you will take notes BOTH times. Then, you will answer 5 multiple-choice questions, 3 short responses, and write an extended response (essay) based on the listening passage. Finally, you will read 2 more passages (literary and informational) and answer 13 more multiple-choice questions. 90 minutes

Day 3: Read 2 linked/paired passages (informational). Then, answer 4 short responses, and write an extended response (essay) based on those two linked/paired passages. 90 minutes

ELA Reminders

Reading Comprehension: Over the course of the 3-day

exam, you will read several passages (literary and informational) and answer both multiple choice and short response questions. With this being said, it is important that you utilize the test taking tips and strategies discussed and practiced in class.

Remember the following test-taking tips:

PRE- read and ANNOTATE (explain) the questions

Read and annotate the passage Read ALL answer choices before

selecting the best one, and use “process of elimination” to remove answer choices that are definitely incorrect.

Don’t waste too much time on one question; you can go back when you finish all the questions in that section.

Watch your time!!!! You have a very limited amount of time to complete all of the tasks for each specific testing day.

It is better to make an educated guess than to leave questions blank.

Multiple Choice Question Types:

Below is a list of the types of multiple-choice questions that you may find on the exam: 1. Cause and Effect Questions 2. Genre Questions/Author’s

Purpose Questions 3. Point of View Questions 4. Mood Questions 5. Literary Elements/Devices and

Poetic Device Questions 6. Main Idea and Supporting

Details Questions 7. Vocabulary Questions 8. Sequence Questions 9. Drawing Conclusion Questions 10. Making Inference Questions

1. Cause and Effect Questions

For these questions, look for linking words that will provide clues to the cause and effect relationship, such as “because” or “If…., then….”

2. Genre Questions/Author’s Purpose Questions

Below is a list of genres (types of passages) you may see on the exam, and a general description of what the author’s purpose is likely to be, depending on the genre. Articles inform using facts and/or

persuade the reader of the author’s opinion.

Journals represent personal reflections of events and bring the reader “closer” to the narrator.

Poems describe, using figurative language and sensory details.

Stories entertain. Tales (myths or folk tales) explain

mysteries of nature or tell how something came to be.

3. Point of View Questions

Remember the differences between first person and third person point of view. In first person, someone inside

the story (one of the characters) describes events and uses first person pronouns- I, my, we, etc.

In third person, someone outside of the story (an outside narrator) describes events and uses third person pronouns- he, she, they, them, etc.

4. Mood Questions

These questions have to do with feelings/emotions expressed by or implied in the passage. Possibilities include: Sad, Gloom, Bleak, Ominous Happy, Carefree, Joyful, Silly,

Excited Tense, Nervous, Stressed,

Worried, Restless Suspenseful, Mysterious

5. Literary Elements/Devices and Poetic Device Questions

These questions have to do with literary passages and poems. You may be given a line or lines and asked to identify the particular literary element or device or poetic device that is being illustrated. It would be helpful to review the list of these terms prior to the exam.

6. Main Idea and Supporting Details Questions

Main idea questions are often phrased, “The main idea of this selection is…” or “A good title for this passage would be…” Remember that main ideas are NOT usually stated directly (few passages begin with, “This selection is about…”); you have to infer and conclude what the main idea is. This is best done after reading the entire passage.

The answers to supporting detail questions can usually be found DIRECTLY in the passage. There is little “guesswork” to worry about; you don’t really have to rely on inference. Just simply look back in the passage!!

7. Vocabulary Questions

Remember to use context clues to determine the meaning of unknown words or phrases; look for other words in the sentences that clearly have a similar – or opposite- meaning to the unknown word.

8. Sequence Questions

Putting events in sequence (order) requires you to read carefully. Remember to look out for dates, times, etc.

9. Drawing Conclusion Questions

These questions ask you to piece together information in the text to determine other facts. You do NOT need to use your prior knowledge to draw a conclusion.

10. Making Inference Questions

These questions ask you to figure out missing details based on what you know (prior knowledge) and what is stated in the text.

Short Response Questions:

You will have to answer a number of short response questions over the course of the 3-day exam. The following is a list of reminders for this particular part of the test. When answering the short response

questions, be sure to do the following: Read the question carefully, and make sure

that you understand what is being asked. Use part of the question in your answer, and

be sure to write more than just one or two sentences.

Answer ALL parts of the question; some questions have multiple parts!!!!!

Use details from the text to support your answer (Remember your goal is to “show off” how well you read and can use information by providing SEVERAL details from the text!!!!)

Extended Response Questions:

You will have to write 2 extended response essays over the course of the 3-day exam.

The following is a list of reminders for this particular part of the test. When writing the extended

response essays, be sure to do the following:

Read the task carefully, and make sure that you understand what is being asked.

Make sure that you fulfill ALL of the requirements of the task.

Extended Response Questions:

Use details from the texts to support your answer (Remember your goal is to “show off” how well you read or took notes and can use information by providing SEVERAL details from the texts or the listening passage!!!!)

Make sure that you include the title of the passage/article that you got the information from.

Attempt to use sophisticated vocabulary words, even if you are unsure of the spellings.

Use sentence variety: simple, compound, and complex. Proofread for spelling and grammar mistakes.