Mrs. Ramirez, Marina del Rey Middle School and Performing Arts Magnet
2010
CST Study Guide: Yes, Study for the CST!
Although we have already had weekly practice this year with CST Released Questions and Measuring Up to
prepare for the CST during the second week of May, we will be dedicating the next five weeks to CST
Preparation. This sheet will help you to review important concepts that are on the test. We will be focusing on
many of them as we review in class, but you should also review everything on your own and study for the CST!
Word Analysis, Fluency and Vocabulary Development
(17 % of the 6th grade test and 15 % for 7th grade)
Number of Questions on the CST:
6th Grade: 13 Questions
7th Grade: 11 Questions
6th Grade
1. Identify and interpret figurative language. (See Literary Response and Analysis below for
definitions and examples)
2. Recognize the origins and meanings of foreign words used in English.
For example, words like-a la carte-purchased individually (French)
Macho- manly (Spanish)
Bon voyage—Have a good trip (French)
faux pas –a mistake(French)
a la mode-on the side(French)
Vice-versa- the other way around (Latin)
3. Use word, sentence and paragraph context clues to determine a word’s meaning.
For Example: The dark sky looked ominous, or evil. The comma and “or” restates the
definition for “ominous.”
4. Understand shades of meaning for words. For example, using the words “nice” to describe
someone is okay, but it has many other synonyms and each one is slightly different: delightful,
friendly, gentle, gracious, kind, pleasant, thoughtful.
7th Grade
1. Identify idioms, analogies, metaphors, similes, in prose sand poetry. (See Literary
Response for definitions and examples).
2. Use knowledge of Greek, Latin and Anglo Saxon roots and affixes to understand
content area vocabulary. Words like: biography-- bio=life and graphy=writing, submarine-sub=under and marine=ocean. Telephone-- tele=means far off and phone =sound.
Clarify word meanings through the use of definition, example, restatement or
contrast. For Example: The dark sky looked ominous, or evil. The comma and “or” restates
the definition for “ominous.” The word is or means hint at a definition.
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Mrs. Ramirez, Marina del Rey Middle School and Performing Arts Magnet
2010
Literary Response and Analysis: Narrative Analysis
(16% of the 6th grade test and 17% for 7th)
Number of questions on the CST:
6th grade: 12 questions
7th grade 13 questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
Narrative- a story
Plot- all of the events in a story from the beginning to the middle and the end.
Point of view: first person, third person, third person omniscient/third person limited
Exposition- writing that focuses on explaining or telling important information such as,
newspaper articles, instruction manuals, research reports, how-to essays, etc.
5. Conflict- problem, or main problem in a story
6. Setting- the time, place and environment of a story.
7. Character traits- the qualities or personality traits of a character like being kind,
courageous, brave, friendly, selfish, etc.
8. Protagonist- The main character in a story, usually the “good guy.”
9. Antagonist- The character that causes trouble or conflict for the protagonist: “the bad
guy.”
10. Rising Action- the events in a story that build tension and make the conflict worse or
more exciting.
11. Climax/Turning Point- The highest point of action, the scariest or most exciting part of a
story when things change dramatically.
12. Falling Action- the events after the climax of a story that lead to the resolution
(solution) to the problem in the story.
13. Resolution- The ending of a story when the conflict has been resolved.
14. Theme-The author’s idea or message about life and human behavior that he or she
wishes the reader to learn or think about.
15. Dialogue-conversation between characters in a story shown by quotation marks around each
person’s words.
For example:
“Hi Sarah, how’s it going?”
Oh, not too bad, although I have a huge history test next period and I’m a bit nervous.”
16. Foreshadowing (7th grade only)—the author’s clues as to events that may happen in the
future.
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Mrs. Ramirez, Marina del Rey Middle School and Performing Arts Magnet
2010
17. Figurative language- imaginative language that is not meant to be taken literally. Like
metaphors, similes, analogies and idioms.
18. Metaphor-a comparison of two very different things by stating one thing IS another. For
example: My brother is a bear in the morning. This implies that he is mean and grumpy in the
morning.
19. Simile—A comparison between two very different things using like, as or than.
For example: Lisa is as loud as a fire alarm. This comparison paints a picture in the reader’s mind
as to Lisa’s volume.
20. Personification—Giving human characteristics to something that is not human.
Example: “Hey
Diddle, Diddle, the cat and the fiddle. The cow jumped over the moon; the little dog
laughed to see such sport. And the dish ran away with the spoon.” - Mother Goose






My computer hates me.
The camera loves me.
Opportunity knocked on the door.
The sun greeted me this morning.
Time never waits for anyone.
Trees were dancing with the wind.
21. Idioms- Expressions or sayings that are not meant to be taken literally (word for word) and are
particular to one language or region.
Examples: Let the cat out of the bag, Kicked the bucket, what’s up?, It’s raining cats and dogs,
bite your tongue( don’t say anything), keep an eye on him.
22. Analogies-comparing the relationship (similarities or differences) between words, events, or
things, in order to understand a situation. They can be written in several ways.
Examples:
A flashlight without batteries is like a lamp without light.
Flashlight is to batteries as lamp is to _____________.
Flashlight: batteries :: lamp: ___________. The colons mean “is to.”
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Mrs. Ramirez, Marina del Rey Middle School and Performing Arts Magnet
2010
Reading Comprehension: Focus on Informational Materials:
(23% of the test for 6th grade and 24% for 7th)
Number of questions on the CST:
6th grade: 17
7th grade: 18
1. Compare and contrast- Compare means to see what two things have in common
(similarities) and to contrast means to see the differences. A Venn Diagram, two
overlapping circles, is the most common graphic organizer used to compare and
contrast.
2. Cause and Effect- the reason why something happens. Example: On Saturday, the movie
tickets for Alice in Wonderland in 3-D were sold out, so we didn’t get to see it. Cause:
Movie tickets were sold out Effect: We couldn’t see the movie.
3. Author’s argument/point of view
4. Evidence-facts, statistics (percentages) citations/quotes from a source to prove the
assertion (author’s opinion.)
5. Evaluating (judging) the author’s evidence to see if it is accurate, adequate and
appropriate. When looking at an author’s evidence, decide if it is adequate( enough),
accurate (correct or true information) or appropriate (if it really proves the point the
author is trying to make.)
6. Main idea-the most important idea in a piece of writing
7. Assertion/thesis—an opinion that the author will be trying to prove throughout the
piece of writing
8. Summary- a brief retelling of a piece of writing
9. Features of research reports: Fact-based, expository writing, citations, statistics, and a
bibliography
10. Bibliography (7th grade only)—a list of sources included in the last page in a research
report. Give credit for quoted or paraphrased information in a bibliography. A
bibliography has a specific format that you need to know. On the CST you will mostly
be asked a question that involves the following type of bibliography. Focus on tho order
of information below.
Here is a sample format for a bibliographical entry for a BOOK:
Author’s last name, first name. Title of book. Place of publication: Publisher, copyright year.
example:
SAMPLE ENTRY: Fogle, Bruce. Training Your Dog. New York: DK Publishing, 2001.
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Mrs. Ramirez, Marina del Rey Middle School and Performing Arts Magnet
2010
23. Bias (7th grade only)- When the author shows a Narrative- a story
24. Plot- all of the events in a story from the beginning to the middle and the end.
25. Point of view: first person, third person, third person omniscient/third person limited
26. Exposition- writing that focuses on explaining or telling important information such as,
newspaper articles, instruction manuals, research reports, how-to essays, etc.
27. Conflict- problem, or main problem in a story
28. Setting- the time, place and environment of a story.
29. Character traits- the qualities or personality traits of a character like being kind,
courageous, brave, friendly, selfish, etc.
30. Protagonist- The main character in a story, usually the “good guy.”
31. Antagonist- The character that causes trouble or conflict for the protagonist: “the bad
guy.”
32. Rising Action- the events in a story that build tension and make the conflict worse or
more exciting.
33. Climax/Turning Point- The highest point of action, the scariest or most exciting part of a
story when things change dramatically.
34. Falling Action- the events after the climax of a story that lead to the resolution
(solution) to the problem in the story.
35. Resolution- The ending of a story when the conflict has been resolved.
36. Theme-The author’s idea or message about life and human behavior that he or she
wishes the reader to learn or think about.
1. Dialogue-conversation between characters in a story shown by quotation marks around each
person’s words. n obvious preference for one side of an argument .
2. Stereotyping (7th grade only)
3. Parenthetical References (7th grade only) A way to give credit to an author for the
quote you borrowed from their writing. This is often used in essays.
Here’s an example: (Rylant 146).
--After you use a quote, use a parenthesis with the author’s name and page number
where you found the quote.
Written and Oral Language Conventions:
(21% of the test)
Number of questions on the CST:
6th Grade: 16 questions
7th grade: 16 questions
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Mrs. Ramirez, Marina del Rey Middle School and Performing Arts Magnet
2010
6th grade:
1. Sentence structure: simple, compound, compound –complex sentences.
Simple sentence: A sentence that has a subject-noun and a predicate-verb.
Example: The dog ran
Compound Sentence: two sentences joined together by a conjunction like and , or and but. A
comma is needed before the conjunction.
Example: The dog ran, and tackled my brother.
Complex sentence: A compound sentence joined by a dependent clause which begins with an
“AAAWWUBBISS” word: as ,although, after, while, when, unless, because, before, if, since, and
so.
Example: Although the dog ran and tackled my brother, he was not injured and giggled loudly.
2. Indefinite pronouns- These are the indefinite pronouns. They take the place of specific nouns:
some, many, few, several, each, both, either, neither, someone, somebody, anyone, anybody,
nobody, everyone, everybody, any, and none.
3. Tenses: Present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect verb tenses
For example: Present perfect: I have walked two miles. Past Perfect: I had walked two miles.
Future perfect: I will have walked two miles.
4. Using colons in business letters. Use a colon after the greeting, such as—To Whom it May
Concern:
5. Using semi-colons to connect independent clauses. Instead of using a comma before
and, or and but, instead use a semi-colon. Example: We walked to the beach; our feet
burned when we walked on the sand.
6. Using correct capitalization for : the first letter of the first word in a sentence, the pronoun I,
holidays, brand names, the first letter in all titles—except for a, the, and , but, or, an—unless
they are the first or last words, names of people, races and ethnic groups, political parties, the
first word of a greeting in a letter like “Dear”, places, businesses, countries, days of the week,
months, religions, languages, directions(like North and South).
7. Spelling frequently misspelled words correctly ( such as their, they’re and there)
7th Grade:
1. Place modifiers correctly and using active voice
A modifier is a word or group of words
that describes another word and makes its meaning more specific. Often modifying phrases add
information about "where", "when", or "how" something is done. A modifier works best when it is right
next to the word it modifies. For example, consider the modifiers in the following sentence (they are
underlined for you):
The awesome dude rode a wave breaking on the shore.
The word "awesome" is an adjective (or, a one-word modifier). It sits right next to the word "dude" it
modifies.
The phrase "breaking on the shore" tells us where he rode the wave; thus, "breaking on the shore" is a
modifying phrase that must be placed next to the "wave" it modifies.
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Mrs. Ramirez, Marina del Rey Middle School and Performing Arts Magnet
2010
Active voice means using strong verbs.

For example: The child slammed the door! is more powerful than The door was
slammed by the child!
Avoid forms of "to be" (as in the second, passive sentence, like was, and were)
2. Make clear reference with pronouns and antecedents- Pronouns are words that replace
nouns, like he, she, it we, them and they. The antecedent is just the word that is being
replaced. Example: Robert went skiing. He went Skiing. “Robert” is the antecedent of the
pronoun “he.”
3. Identify all parts of speech (nouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs—words with “ly”) and
types and structure of sentences (see 6th grade above for sentence structure)
4. Recognize the appropriate use of quotation marks, and commas.
5. Identify and use hyphens, dashes, brackets and semi-colons correctly. (Examples are on the
next page).
Use BRACKETS:
To enclose words or phrases of your own that you are inserting in a direct quotation.
ex.: The senator asserted, "He [Judge Thomas] is a worthy candidate for the Supreme Court, the charges against him
notwithstanding."
Use HYPHENS:
To assist readers' comprehension by connecting multiple-word modifiers (like that one). The exception is for "ly" modifiers.
ex.: The ninety-year-old man drove the slowly moving Buick LeSabre in the wrong direction down the four-lane highway,
straight into the rapidly approaching traffic.
Use DASHES:
To set off parenthetical material that deserves emphasis.
ex.: Coleridge was able--through the generosity of a wealthy patron--to concentrate on his poetry full time.
Note: A dash can also be used to set off an appositive that contains commas:
ex.: The major characters in Light in August--Lena Grove, Joe Christmas, and Gail Hightower--are all connected by a
relationship with Byron Bunch.
Note: When typing, use two hyphens with no space before, between or after to indicate a dash.
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Mrs. Ramirez, Marina del Rey Middle School and Performing Arts Magnet
2010
6. Use correct capitalization: (See 6th grade) Review capitalization rules.
7. Spell derivatives correctly by applying the spellings of bases and affixes
Some Examples of Lexical Morphemes in English
Bases
Affixes
Nouns Verbs Adjectives Adverbs Prefixes Suffixes
dog
have
chart
silly
very
anti
ness
touch hot
too
con
ion
word
be
strong
now
di
ity
child
stay
new
again
pro
or
Writing Strategies: (23% of the test)
Number of questions on the CST:
6th grade:17
7th Grade: 17
6th grade:
1. Choose the appropriate form of writing for a specific purpose: personal letter,
letter to the editor, review, poem, report, narrative.
2. Essays: Intro: recognize the assertion/thesis. Body: recognize supportive details.
Also, be aware of precise verbs, nouns and adjectives that help paint a visual image
in the reader’s mind.
3. Recognize a conclusion which should be a detailed summary of the essay that
includes a restatement of the assertion/thesis.
4. Recognize a variety of organizational patterns in writing: compare and contrast,
organization by categories, order of importance, etc.
5. Research and technology: use bulletin boards, databases, website searches and email addressees to locate information.
7th Grade:
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Mrs. Ramirez, Marina del Rey Middle School and Performing Arts Magnet
2010
Use transitions effectively between paragraphs or sentences. Transitions are used to
smoothly change from one idea to another in writing. Some examples of transition words
are: First, Second, Third, Next, Last, Finally, One example, Another example, For this
reason, Hence, Otherwise, Therefore, Thus, etc. (These are capitalized since they are
mostly used at the beginning of a sentence.)
1. Know how to support all claims (claim is a synonym of assertion and thesis) with
anecdotes, descriptions, facts, statistics and specific examples. Anecdotes are short
personal stories that are usually funny. Statistics are numbers or percentages.
2. Recognize how to do pre-writing like: note-taking, outlining and summarizing to
help you prepare your essay structure.
3. Research and Technology: identify topics , ask and evaluate (judge) questions for
research papers.
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