Big Reading Test Study Guide
Strategies for Reading Test Passages:
It is important to read each passage carefully before you begin to answer
the questions related to it. Here are some strategies to get the most out
of your reading efforts:
First, skim over the whole passage, taking note of any text features that will help you
make sense of it. (Look at the title, subheadings, and any pictures or diagrams. Notice
text that is bold, italicized, underlined, in a larger or smaller font, etc.)
Then, think about any connections you might have with the subject matter in the
piece. Try to make a prediction about what you will learn in the piece. (What do you
already know about this topic? What do you think you may learn about it?)
As you go through the text, reread any sentences and paragraphs you don’t
understand. Use context clues to help you figure out the meanings of words you don’t
know. Be sensitive to the connotations of words. They can help you figure out an
author’s viewpoint or bias.
Carefully read any headings, subheadings, captions, and annotations. Pay special
attention to any charts, graphs, pictures, diagrams, and maps that are included with
the passage. These can hold critical information!
As you read, form pictures in your mind about what you are reading. Think about
whether your first predictions were correct, and make new predictions. Continue to
make connections between what you are reading and what you already know. Think
about what you are learning as you read.
Decide which information in the text seems most important, and highlight, circle, or
underline it.
Strategies for Answering Test Questions:
As you read each question, highlight or underline key words or phrases (especially
words that drastically change the meaning of the questions, like “NOT” or
“OPPOSITE” or “antonym”).
Ask yourself what you need to do to answer the question correctly. If a question has
multiple parts, highlight or underline them so you can be sure to address each part.
Pay attention to how many answers you are supposed to have and whether the order
of the answers matters. (This is especially important on the “technology-enhanced”
items.)
Eliminate answers you are sure are not correct. Once you have narrowed down your
choices, look at the question again to be sure you haven’t left out any important
details.
Find proof for your answer in the text of the passage. (Often, you will find the
answer in exact words. If the question asks you to draw a conclusion or make an
inference, find the evidence to support the conclusion or inference.)
Don’t get bogged down on any one question. If you can’t figure out the answer after a
reasonable amount of time, flag the question and come back to it later. (Often you
will find helpful information elsewhere in the test.)
Important Skills and Concepts to Remember throughout the Test:
When reading fiction:
Pay attention to the author’s use of plot elements (exposition, initiating event, rising
action, climax, falling action, and resolution). You can make a story map to help you
record the sequence of events.
The exposition often sets the mood for the story through the setting and the author’s
description of characters.
Think about the conflicts the characters are facing. Are they internal or external? In
particular, how does the main character change as a result of struggling with his
conflicts through the course of the story? Often the theme of a story relates to a
character’s conflicts and the lesson he learns from dealing with them.
Notice examples of flashback, foreshadowing, symbolism, and irony. Besides giving
you important information about the characters and plot, these elements of a story
may help you determine mood, tone, and theme of the story.
When reading non-fiction:
The topic or subject matter of a paragraph or passage is general. It can usually be
stated in one or two words.
The main idea of a paragraph or passage is the specific point the author is trying to
make about the topic. (This is usually the author’s thesis statement and can be stated
in a sentence.)
Details are the specific examples an author uses to provide evidence or proof to back
up the main idea of a passage. Details should relate directly to the main idea to
maintain the unity of the piece of writing.
The most important details in a passage will include information that answers the
questions, “Who?” “What?” “Where?” “When?” “How?” and “Why?” These are the
details that would be included in a summary.
Readers may be asked to draw conclusions, make inferences, or make predictions
about a passage. In this case, the conclusions, inferences, or predictions themselves
will not be stated directly in the text, but they will be a logical guess based on the
main idea and specific details the author uses in the text.
Readers can figure out the author’s purpose for writing a certain piece by examining
the main idea, the structure or organization of the text, and the author’s tone. (See
attached sheets for examples of text structures, mood, and tone.)
When reading poetry:
Read a poem as many times as you need to in order to make sense of what is
happening.
Remember to read to the punctuation (read sentence by sentence).
Figure out who the speaker is. (This can help you understand what is going on.)
Paraphrase, or put the poet’s words into your own words so you can understand what
is going on at a literal level in the poem.
Pay attention to figurative language (similes, metaphors, personification, examples of
hyperbole) and sensory imagery so that you see the pictures the poet is creating. This
can also help you find important symbolism and even figure out the theme of the
poem.
Notice the use of sound devices (alliteration, onomatopoeia, repetition, rhythm,
rhyme, etc.). These will give you clues to the mood the author is trying to create.
Think about what type of poem it is. This will help you identify the author’s purpose
for writing the poem.