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Answering Open Response Questions for Reading Passages ' <br /> • Take a deep breath before you read the open response question. <br /> • Read the question to get the main idea. <br /> • Reread the question and ask yourself,What is it that I must answer?" <br /> • Look for the five"W's"who,what,where,why,when and how to determine how to answer the question. <br /> • Make sure that you underline the question and answer all parts of the prompt. <br /> • Look for specific vocabulary words that tell you what you are supposed to do,such as:analyze,cite, <br /> compare,contrast,decide,describe,draw,explain,express,generalize,illustrate,interpret,list, <br /> paraphrase,point out,respond,review,show,state,summarize,support,and tell. <br /> • Restate the question carefully and include the title and author if necessary. <br /> • Make sure that your response has enough evidence to back up our answer. <br /> • Make sure that your answer does not contain unrelated details. <br /> • Proofread your answer and make any necessary corrections, such as:spelling capitalization and <br /> punctuation. <br /> • Be sure to use quotations if you are taking sections directly from the passage. <br /> • Clear your mind and follow the tips given and you will be able to answer the questions. <br /> Answering Long Composition Prompts <br /> • For the MCAS exam,you will only have time to write a rough draft and a final draft. <br /> • Read the writing prompt carefully and figure out what you are being asked to write. <br /> • Plan your essay carefully before you begin to write. <br /> • Brainstorm ideas and choose the idea that you will be able to strongly support. <br /> • Decide how many paragraphs are needed. <br /> • An essay is well organized when it has a clear beginning,middle and end and when its ideas are logically <br /> organized. <br /> • BACK IT UP—use examples to explain your answer. <br /> • Remember to answer all parts of the prompt. <br /> Common Vocabulary used in MCAS Testing <br /> Analyze:to separate into parts and explain <br /> Argue:to prove points by using facts <br /> Cause and Effect:to tell what happened and why <br /> Cite:to quote as an example <br /> Compare and Contrast: to find the similarities and differences <br /> Page 8 of 30 <br />