Florida College Basic Skills Exit Test –
Item Specifications
compiled with examples by mike whissel
identifies essay parts and organization:
(1.1)
–identify topic sentence or thesis statement
(1.2)
–recognize general and specific supporting details
general:
Today’s computers are more powerful than they were ten years ago.
specific:
Computers of ten years ago might have had a 33MHz processor and 1Mb of RAM. Today’s
computers typically have 2GHz processors and 256Mb of RAM.
(1.3)
–recognize logical pattern of development
Almost always, there will be two or three main points, each having one or two sentences of specific
supporting details:
Today’s computers are more powerful than they were ten years ago. Today’s computers typically
have 2GHz processors and 256Mb of RAM. Computers of ten years ago might have had a 33MHz
processor and 1Mb of RAM.
(1.4)
–identifies irrelevant details
Almost always, the final exam essay that you read will purposely contain an irrelevant statement:
Today’s computers are more powerful than they were ten years ago. Today’s computers typically
have 2GHz processors and 256Mb of RAM. Ten years ago, an average computer cost $4,000.
Computers of ten years ago might have had only a 33MHz processor and 1Mb of RAM.
(1.5)
–recognizes effective transitional devices
Almost always, the final exam essay that you read will purposely contain an awkward or incorrect transition
word or phrase:
NO: Today’s computers typically have 2GHz processors and 256Mb of RAM. Thus, computers of ten years
ago might have had a 33MHz processor and 1Mb of RAM.
YES:
Today’s computers typically have 2GHz processors and 256Mb of RAM. In contrast,
computers of ten years ago might have a 33MHz processor and 1Mb of RAM.
word choice skills
(2.1)
-chooses the appropriate word or expression in context
example:
Although down by 21 points at halftime, the football team ________ and won the game.
A. intervened
B. persisted
C. relented
(2.2)
-recognizes commonly confused words
(Wordsmith 2nd ed. - chpt-24)
there/their/they’re
too/to
accept/except . . . etc
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Florida College Basic Skills Exit Test –
Item Specifications
compiled with examples by mike whissel
sentence structure skills
(3.1)
-recognizes misplaced modifiers
(Wordsmith 2nd ed. - chpt-18)
The dog was examined by a veterinarian that just had puppies.
Bob watched the movie eating popcorn.
Hot off the griddle, the family ate the pancakes.
(3.2)
-uses coordination and subordination correctly
In 3.2, the examinee will most likely be presented with a sentence containing more than one clause but
lacking a conjunction. The state is specifically testing on the ability to logically subordinate or
coordinate clauses within a sentence through effective use of subordinating and coordinating
conjunctions.
What distinguishes 3.2 from 3.4 below, is that 3.2 focuses on logical relationships between clauses,
while 3.4 focuses on mechanics.
coordination: joining two sentences using a comma-FANBOYS..........................................................
(Wordsmith 2nd ed. - chpt-14, chpt-21)
Bob went to the mall, and he bought some sneakers.
Jack really likes his new Mustang, so he drives it very carefully.
subordination: creating dependent clauses using subordinating conjunctions.......................................
(Wordsmith 2nd ed. - chpt-15: dependent clause fragments)
Because I was tired, I went to bed.
Although she was excited, Imelda kept a straight face.
Larry cannot go to dinner because he does not have money.
Susan was sleeping while the baby cried.
(3.3)
-recognizes parallel structure:
(Wordsmith 2nd ed. - chpt-19)
NO: Swimming, jogging, and to ski are my favorite activities.
YES:
Swimming, jogging, and skiing are my favorite activities.
NO: Albert likes eating, sleeping, and to play video games.
YES:
Albert likes eating, sleeping, and playing video games.
(3.4)
-avoids fragments, comma splices, fused sentences
fragments: ........................................................................................................................................................
(Wordsmith 2nd ed. - chpt 15)
Chuck will fix the plumbing. If he has a chance.
To keep her dog safe. Sonia will keep him indoors.
Sonia put a fence across the doorway. To keep her dog from getting out.
Watching Star Trek. That is my favorite show.
comma splice/fused:.........................................................................................................................................
(Wordsmith 2nd ed. - chpt-14, chpt-21)
CS: I went to the store, I bought milk.
CS: Jan is a nice girl, she helps everyone.
FS: George babysits for his mother she works at night.
FS: Kathy studies hard she always earns good grades.
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Florida College Basic Skills Exit Test –
Item Specifications
compiled with examples by mike whissel
grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation skills
(4.1)
-uses standard verb forms
(Not in Wordsmith - the focus is on whether the student uses correct infinitive, simple past, and past
participle forms)
NO:
YES:
NO:
YES:
(4.2)
I had ate before Jen arrived.
I had eaten before Jen arrived
I should of gone to the store.
I should have gone to the store.
-avoids inappropriate shifts in verb tense
(Wordsmith 2nd ed. - chpt-20)
Example:
In the 1800's, cotton was produced almost entirely by manual labor. Today, it is
A
grown scientifically; few workers but large quantities of supplies and sophisticated
B
equipment were needed.
C
A.
B.
C.
D.
(4.3)
produce
growing
are needed
no change necessary
-maintains agreement between the subject and verb
(Wordsmith 2nd ed. - chpt-12 for S-V ID, chpt-13 for S-V Agr)
The folder that holds the grades of four thousand students are in the beige file
A
B
cabinet whose drawers fall out every time you open them.
C
A.
hold
B.
is
C.
falls
D.
no change necessary
(4.4)
-maintains agreement between pronoun and antecedent
(Wordsmith 2nd ed. NO:
YES:
NO:
YES:
NO:
YES:
NO:
YES:
(4.5)
chpt-17)
Gerald went to the post office, but they were closed.
Gerald went to the post office, but it was closed.
Bob ate the cookies though he knew it wasn’t good for him.
Bob ate the cookies though he knew they weren’t good for him.
Somebody called you, but they didn’t leave a message.
Somebody called you, but she didn’t leave a message.
Each person has their own strengths and weaknesses.
Each person has his own strengths and weaknesses.
-avoids inappropriate pronoun shifts (in point of view)
(Wordsmith 2nd ed. NO:
YES:
NO:
YES:
NO:
YES:
chpt-17)
I would not be an astronaut because you don’t get to take a shower.
I would not be an astronaut because they don’t get to take a shower.
Max failed his test, but you can’t expect to pass without studying.
Max failed his test, but he can’t expect to pass without studying.
Jack wants a guitar; he thinks you can find one at Sears.
Jack wants a guitar; he thinks he can find one at Sears.
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Florida College Basic Skills Exit Test –
Item Specifications
compiled with examples by mike whissel
(4.6)
-maintains clear pronoun reference
(Wordsmith 2nd ed. - chpt-17)
NO: Bob tried to avoid algebra, but they said he had to take it.
YES:
Bob tried to avoid algebra, but the college said he had to take it.
NO: When I cashed my check at the bank, she said I needed ID.
YES:
When I cashed my check at the bank, the cashier said I needed ID.
NO: The supervisor told Mary that she was getting an award.
YES:
The supervisor told Mary that Mary was getting an award.
NO: Justine told the bus drive that the accident was her fault.
YES:
Justine told the bus drive that the accident was the bus driver’s fault.
(4.7)
-uses proper pronoun case
(Wordsmith 2nd ed. subject case:
NO:
YES:
NO:
YES:
NO:
YES:
NO:
object case:
NO:
YES:
NO:
YES:
NO:
YES:
(4.8)
Me went to the store.
I went to the store
Him is my friend.
He is my friend.
Her and her brother like to work on computers.
She and her brother like to work on computers.
Him and his brother went hunting.
Debbie went with I.
Debbie went with me.
Peter gave some cookies to my brother and I.
Peter gave some cookies to my brother and me.
Sarah bought concert tickets for she and her boyfriend.
Sarah bought concert tickets for her and her boyfriend.
-uses adjectives and adverbs correctly
(Not in Wordsmith)
NO:
YES:
NO:
YES:
(4.9)
chpt-16)
Debbie ran quick to the store.
Debbie ran quickly to the store.
Peter was standing proud at his graduation.
Peter was standing proudly at his graduation.
-uses appropriate degree forms
(Not in Wordsmith)
NO:
YES:
(4.10)
Between Bob and John, Bob is tallest.
Between Bob and John, Bob is taller.
-uses standard spelling
(Not in Wordsmith)
Ed’s graduation was a momentus occassion for his family.
A.
B.
C.
D.
ocasion
ocassion
occasion
no change necessary
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Florida College Basic Skills Exit Test –
Item Specifications
compiled with examples by mike whissel
(4.11)
-uses standard punctuation
general ability to use standard punctuation: end marks, commas, semicolons, apostrophes. (no test questions
on comma before and in items in series, and no questions on semicolon use when commas already present in
items in series).
end marks (periods, semicolons, question marks, etc)...........................................................................
(Wordsmith 2nd ed. - chpt-22)
apostrophes (contractions and especially possessives) ..........................................................................
(Wordsmith 2nd ed. - chpt-26)
commas
(some in Wordsmith 2nd ed. - chpt-21)
–items in a series ....................................................................................................................................
I know that you are smart, good-looking, and nice.
Bob has three things in his desk, a pen, some paper, and an eraser.
–introductory phrases .............................................................................................................................
Last Thursday night, I watched Star Wars on tv.
Beginning with the third stanza, let’s try the song again.
With at least four thousand people backing him, Andre ran for office.
I like cake. However, I resist eating it.
I am on a diet; however, I reward myself with a cookie occasionally.
Dancing her heart out, Jenna won the contest.
–interruptive words and phrases .............................................................................................................
Steve, who is the tall guy over by the door, is my cousin.
My car, which is parked in the west lot, will not start.
Sally is nice. Tina, on the other hand, is a jerk.
–appositives ............................................................................................................................................
Bob got a new car, a red Mustang.
I had a great sandwich for lunch, a BLT.
–adjectives in series ................................................................................................................................
Give me some sweet, creamy, chocolate cake.
That guy is a stinking, no-good scoundrel.
Dave’s new car is a gorgeous, wicked machine.
–direct address ........................................................................................................................................
How are you, Bob?
Hi, Dad.
Would you hand this to the person next to you, Marty?
–quotations .............................................................................................................................................
Three basic patterns:
Bob said, “You are nice.”
Sally said, “I like that red car.”
“You are nice,” Bob said.
“I like that red car,” Sally said.
“I like your dog,” said Bob, “and your cat.”
“I like cake,” said Bob, “and ice cream.”
–between independent clauses ................................................................................................................
Bob is always telling jokes, but they are not really that funny.
My grandmother was lost, so she asked for directions.
The coffee is hot, so Jen served it in an insulated mug.
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Florida College Basic Skills Exit Test –
Item Specifications
compiled with examples by mike whissel
(4.12)
-uses standard capitalization
(Wordsmith 2nd ed. - - some in chpt-25)
Typically, the final exam will test you on these items:
–season names (do not capitalize seasons):
spring, summer, fall, etc
–compass points (normally, do not capitalize compass points):
Head north for ten miles. Then, turn east.
The sun always rises in the east.
–specific geographical areas
I will be visiting the East Coast.
The snow is always heavy along the Northern Tier.
(East and North are capitalized in these examples because they are being used to name
specific geographical areas)
–school subjects
part of a course title:
–History W041
–World Civilizations W099
not part of a course title:
–history
–speech
–economics
-languages are always capitalized:
–English
–Spanish
–months and days
January, February, March, etc
MONDAY, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc
–nationalities, ethnicities
Asian, Caucasian, African American, Hispanic, etc
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