FCAT READING REVIEW
Vocabulary
• Context Clues Strategy
• Prefixes, Suffixes, Roots
• Substitution
Vocabulary
Strategies and Tips
• Always check to see if you can break a
new word down into prefix, root and
suffix. See if you can recognize the
meaning of any part of the word. Is so,
find the answer choice that is closest.
Context Clues
• Use context clues to help you decipher
meaning. Reread the part of the selection near
the vocabulary word or expression. Reread the
sentence before and the sentence after. Decide
what the word of expression probably means.
• Look at the answer choices. Pick the choice
that is most like what you guessed
• Replace the vocabulary word of expression with
the answer choice. If it fits well, its correct. If
not, try another choice.
Organizational Patterns
• Sequence organizers help you to work out the
sequence in which events occurred.
• Graphic organizers dealing with main ideas and
supporting details allow you to identify topics
and main ideas, subtopics, and the information
that supports them.
• Headings and subheadings summarize the
information in the sections that follow them.
Compare and Contrast
• The FCAT will often ask you to read two
different texts and answer questions about
them. These texts maybe tables or
information, or fiction or nonfiction
passages.
• You maybe asked to compare the style,
structure, or point of view of the two
passages.
Tips for Compare and Contrast
• See if it would help you to list similarities and or
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differences in a chart or Venn Diagram
When an author compares two items, ask
yourself what characteristics the two items
share.
For example, are they both beautiful or ugly,
modern or old fashioned, lively or dull? Then ask
yourself in what ways they are different.
Focus on the elements mentioned in the
question. Then reread the passages, focusing on
how this element is treated in each
passage.(Comparing aspects)
Main Idea
• WIN Strategy
• What a selection is mostly about
• Details to Main Idea
• Example Questions: What is the main idea
of this story? What is the best title for this
story? What is this story mostly about?
Theme
• The message that the author wants to
deliver.
• It is a kind of lesson in life. (Never give
up)
• The author usually does not state the
theme directly, which means you have to
work it out yourself
Supporting Details
• Main Ideas and themes are supported by
information and details
• Often the first sentence in a paragraph
contains its main idea and the rest of the
paragraph provides examples or details
that support that idea. (Likely in
informational passages)
Main Idea Tips
• When you are asked about the main idea of a
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selection, ask yourself what point the author
was trying to get across
To choose the best theme, read the answer
choices carefully. Then apply each one to the
passages. Select the choice with the message
that is closest to the message of the story
Once you have selected a main idea or theme,
look for ideas or information that support it.
Supporting details are often provided in the form
of examples.
Authors Purpose
• Entertain
• Persuade
• Inform
• Explain
• Authors perspective or viewpoint is how
the author feels about the subject.
Authors use words that convey their
attitude.
Authors Purpose Tips
• Look for negative or positive words that indicate
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how the author regards the topic under
discussion
Where you read a selection can provide an
important clue as to an authors purpose.
Newspaper editorials- persuade, School Textsinstruct. It can help if you know who the author
is.
Authors use sentence structure to create an
impact. Short, punchy sentences create a sense
of drama or tension.
Validity of Information
• To spot FACTS (as opposed to opinions),
ask yourself: Can this statement be
checked or proven? If so, it is a fact.
• Ways to spot opinions:
- Does this statement express the writer’s
personal feelings or judgment? If so it is
an opinion.
Cause and Effect
• Watch out for key words that signal cause and
effect. The words that follow the key word
explain what caused something or what its
effect was
• When there are no key words, ask yourself why
an event occurred its cause-or what happened
because of an event- its effect.
• The answer will be in the passage
Genres
• Folktale- is a traditional story handed
down from generation to generation by
word of mouth
Testing Tips
1. Get a good night sleep the night before
the test.
2. Eat a good breakfast the morning before
the test.
3. Listen carefully to the directions. Be sure
to read all the directions you find in the
test book.
Testing Tips
4. Read each story and question very carefully.
You may look back at the story as often as you
like.
5. You may read the questions before reading the
passage
6. You may underline key words in the questions
7. Go back and underline in the passages to help
you answer the questions correctly
8. Use the process of elimination
Testing Tips
9. Plan your time. If you do not know the
answer to a question, skip it and go back
to it later. Answer the questions that you
are sure about first.
10. Keep a positive state of mind. Some
questions will be harder than others. Just
do you best!