PSSA Writing/Editing
Preparation
The “How-To’s” for this week’s test.
What do I need to be prepared?
• Step one:
–Get a good night’s sleep. (8 hours at least)
–Eat a healthy breakfast.
–Bring in a healthy snack.
What do I need to be prepared?
• Step Two:
-Focus on preparation techniques for
tackling tough questions.
-Be confident! (Use the skills you have
learned throughout your language arts
experiences.)
Daily Practice One:
Read the passage below and then answer questions 1–4.
• 1) Can you imagine digging in your yard and finding one of the most
significant archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century? 2.) A group of
farmers was digging a well in 1974 when they discovered chambers filled with
life-sized pottery soldiers made for Emperor Qin Shi Huang almost 2,200 years
earlier. 3.) These figures were made of clay and fired in kilns in nearby
villages. 4.) Kilns heated to 900°C were used to “fire” or bake the figures to
maintain an even thickness and to harden the clay. 5.) The statues legs were
molded solid. 6.) The upper parts of the bodies were made using one-inch thick
coiled ropes that were then smoothed with paddles. 7.) While dozens of heads
might have been made from the same mold, each face was carved to give
individaul details to the eyes, hair, mustaches, and ears. 8.) Although they have
faded over the centuries, various shades of lacquer were used to glaze figures
with colors such as pink, red, blue, and even bright yellow. 9.) No two figures
are identical. 10.) Since then, people have attempted to make figures of similar
quality and failed. 11.) Altogether, over 7,000 figures, horses, and chariots
have been uncovered at this site, and excavation continues to this day.
Answer #1: Why?
• The correct answer is option A.
The new detail would best fit after sentence 2 because sentence
2 reports the discovery of the soldiers and the added detail
provides specific information (“These pottery soldiers”) about
the soldiers.
Options B, C, and D make no direct reference to the soldiers.
Answer #2: Why?
• The correct answer is option B.
This item tests your knowledge of quotation marks usage. All
the answer options offer legitimate uses for quotation marks.
In this case, the word fire is used in a new way, not as a noun,
but as a verb (you are “firing” pottery by baking in kilns).
Answer #3: Why?
• The correct answer is option B.
Students must decide two things: whether that word is singular
or plural and is it possessing something?
Is one or more than one statue is being discussed?
(Answer:
)
Do the statues being molded possess something?
(What:
)
The apostrophe is placed after the s’ to signify multiple statues
possessing legs.
*Possible mini lesson review required.
Answer #4: Why?
• The correct answer is option C.
• A common spelling error is to reverse two vowels.
Individaul or Individual?
• For spelling questions, you do not have to refer back to the
passage.
Daily Practice Two:
Read the passage below and then answer questions 5–8.
1 Have you ever seen a flying squirrel? 2 Flying squirrels are unusual creatures.
3 First of all, they can’t really fly; however, they can glide distances of 30 to 60
feet. 4 A fold of skin on each side of a flying squirrel’s body connects its front and
back legs. 5 With its legs spread out, the flying squirrels uses this extra skin as
wings. 6 Although these squirrels can’t defy gravity to reach a higher level than
the one from which they start, they can gracefully glide downward. 7 Even
though flying squirrels’ bodies are fairly small, five to six inches in length, their
tails are long. 8 They use these lengthy tails as rudders to control a glide’s
direction. 9 Also, while other North American squirrels are active during the day,
flying squirrels are nocturnal. 10 Nocturnal predators can pose significant
problems for them. 11 Making use of their large eyes, flying squirrels constantly
are on the lookout for owls. 12 Who often prey upon them.
Answer #5: Why?
• The correct answer is option C.
Students are asked to recognize that sentence 5 is written in
present tense and therefore requires agreement between the
subject and its verb.
The subject of this sentence is the singular squirrel, so the
correct answer is Option C, uses.
*Possible mini lesson required.
Answer #6: Why?
The correct answer is option C.
The item measures student knowledge of the meanings and
logical uses of transitions.
Students are asked to choose a transition that will retain the
original meaning of the sentence.
Given the answer options:
consequently=as a result
nevertheless=however
for example=an example is coming
In addition= is the best replacement for the word Also.
*Review the green transition cheat sheet in writing folder
Answer #7: Why?
• The correct answer is option D.
Sentence 12 in the passage is an incomplete sentence and the
answer options offer four possibilities of correcting the
sentence.
Option A is also an incomplete sentence
Option B is not a good revision because it is vague as well as
inaccurate.
Option C uses an incorrect preposition. (for squirrels?)
Option D is the best revision of the sentence because it uses
clear and concise language and correct sentence structure.
Answer #8: Why?
• The correct answer is option A.
Students are asked to think of the passage as a whole and select
a *relevant detail that could support (or be supported by) the
details already in place.
*relevant (definition): ___________________
Only Option A adds a detail that expands the passage’s main
ideas of flying squirrels and how they fly.
Option B opens to another topic related to flying squirrels,
Option C is completely off-topic
Option D changes voice and point of view.
Read the passage below and then answer questions
9–12.
Daily
Practice
Three:
1 Even though we’ve come to rely more than ever
on computers, it’s hard to imagine school without
pencils. 2 Ancient Romans used metal rods, some
containing lead, that left light marks on early forms
of paper. 3 By the 1500s, pencils were sticks of
graphite. 4 Graphite leaves a darker mark than
lead. 5 It is non-toxic. 6 It is soft and brittle and
requires some kind of holder, so the graphite was
wrapped in string. 7 Later, people hollowed out
sticks to hold the graphite. 8 Have you ever
wondered why pencils are so often painted yellow?
9 While early American pencils were unpainted to
show the quality of wood used, in the 1890s,
American pencil makers wanted to show buyers
that their pencils were made with Chinese graphite,
the best quality graphite available. 10 They painted
their pencils yellow, a color associated with royalty
and respect in China. 11 Today, 75 percent of
pencils sold in the United States are yellow. 12 One
pencil can write 45,000 words or it can draw a line
Answer #9: Why?
• The correct answer is option D.
Students are asked to choose the appropriate conjunction to
connect the two sentences.
Review coordinating conjunctions and comma usage before hand.
Option A offers a cause-effect relationship.
Option B offers a contrasting or conflicting relationship.
Option C offers an assertion-explanation relationship.
Option D is the best answer because the sentence contains two
ideas of equal importance.
Answer #10: Why?
• The correct answer is option A.
This item requires students to identify an adjective in a
sentence.
Definition of an adjective: __________________________________
Examples: _______________________________________________
Students must refer to the passage to ascertain the word’s
function in that particular sentence.
Answer #11: Why?
• The correct answer is option C.
Review coordinating conjunctions and comma usage before hand
Students are asked to recognize the need for a comma between
two independent clauses connected with a coordinating
conjunction.
Look for the key word “missing”
Option A is a complex sentence with correct comma placement.
Option B is a lengthy sentence that also contains correct
comma placement.
Option C is missing a comma between two independent clauses.
Option D is a simple sentence that requires no comma.
Answer #12: Why?
• The correct answer is option A.
The key word is “best”
Students are asked to choose the best concluding sentence for
the passage.
Students must consider the main topic of the passage as well as
what makes an effective conclusion that flows smoothly.
Options B: (the development of paper) strays off the topic
Option D: (the first eraser patent) stray off the topic.
Option C: Introducing the “I” point of view makes an incorrect
response.
Option A: is the only option that includes the introductory
sentence and restates the thesis “prospect of life without
pencils.”