What questions do you have about the

Keystone Literature Exam?

Literature Keystone Exams

Module 1 – Fiction - Thursday, May 16th

Module 2– Nonfiction - Friday, May 17th

Literature Keystone Exams

EACH Module Contains:

23 Multiple-choice questions◦ Each is worth 1 point

4 Constructed Response Questions ◦ Each is worth 3 points◦ Responses are scored using item-specific

scoring guidelines

Multiple Choice Tips

Use the text if needed especially if the questions states “in the passage….. On line 2……. In the 3rd paragraph…”

Take your time and read carefully◦ Watch for words like EXCEPT, MOST LIKELY, LEAST LIKELY,

BEST, and ANTONYM

DO NOT leave any questions blank. Make an educated guess◦ Eliminate choices◦ Use word roots, connotation, and/or context clues

VOCABULARY SKILLS

Identify and/or apply a synonym or antonym of a word used in a text.

Identify how the meaning of a word is changed when an affix is added; identify the meaning of a word with an affix from a text.

VOCABULARY SKILLS

Use context clues to determine or clarify the meaning of unfamiliar, multiple-meaning, or ambiguous words.

“Growing up in a family that liked adventure equipped her with the skills to be gregarious in social situations.”

What does the word gregarious mean as it is used in the sentence?

Draw conclusions about connotations of words.

“As Rafael read the first chapter of the book, he became famished to know the ending.”

Which feeling is being suggested by the use of the word famished? A. eagerness

B. compassion

C. selfishness

D. confusion

COMPREHENSION SKILLS

Summarize the key details and events of a text, in part or as a whole.

Making Inferences/Drawing conclusions

Which sentence from the passage best supports the generalization that beauty comes in many forms?

Based on information in the passage, what conclusion can be made about apples?

Analyzing and Interpreting

Analyzing and Interpreting Literature

Persuasive Techniques

What does the opinion used in the sentence contribute to the passage?

Which detail is least essential to the overall understanding of the passage?

Text Organization

Multiple Choice Tips

Use the text if needed especially if the questions states “in the passage….. On line 2……. In the 3rd paragraph…”

Take your time and read carefully◦ Watch for words like EXCEPT, MOST LIKELY, LEAST LIKELY,

BEST, and ANTONYM

DO NOT leave any questions blank. Make an educated guess◦ Eliminate choices◦ Use word roots, connotation, and/or context clues

Constructed Response Tips

Read these questions FIRST then annotate the text for support/answer as you read. You will have to use evidence from the text to support your answer

Please follow the directions carefully. Reread your response and make sure it answers all parts of the question.

DO NOT leave any question blank. Students can earn at least some credit by simply rewording the question as a statement in their response.

SCORING GUIDELINES

3 Points• The response provides a clear, complete, and accurate answer to the task.• The response provides relevant and specific information from the passage.

2 Points• The response provides a partial answer to the task.• The response provides limited information from the passage and may include inaccuracies.

1 Point• The response provides a minimal answer to the task.• The response provides little or no information from the passage and may include

inaccuracies.

0 Points• The response is totally incorrect or irrelevant or contains insufficient information to

demonstrate comprehension.

Module 1 Fiction Constructed Response Questions

Example 1: Explain what the author’s purpose is for writing the passage. Use information from the passage to support your explanation.

Example 2: Analyze what a character’s thoughts throughout the passage reveal about his personality. Use information from the passage to support your explanation.

Module 1 Fiction Constructed Response Questions

Module 2 Nonfiction - Samples

Constructed Response Tips

Read these questions FIRST then annotate the text for support/answer as you read. You will have to use evidence from the text to support your answer

Please follow the directions carefully. Reread your response and make sure it answers all parts of the question.

DO NOT leave any question blank. Students can earn at least some credit by simply rewording the question as a statement in their response.

Take it seriously & Try your Best

Students who do not score proficient or advanced in May 2013 will receive remediation which may impact their free periods, study halls and electives next year.

Students who do not score proficient or advanced on the May 2013 Keystones will retake them in December 2013.

Remember

Bring #2 pencils & your calculator!

You are allowed to highlight or write in the text booklet! (Mark the text as you read!)

You have unlimited time to take all sections.

Test Security Students are not allowed to go to their locker once

testing has started.

Students who must use the bathroom need to be escorted there and back.

During the entire testing session, students are NOT permitted to use ANY of the following electronic devices: cell phones, iPods/MP3s, and personal laptops.

Ticket-Out

On the other side of the index card list:

1 Test Taking Tip&

1 Skill That Will Be Assessed

Also: please indicate if you want to

set up a conference with me