EOC /STAAR Tips

1. EOC /STAAR Tips English I L. Davis/ENG I Pre-AP, NBHS

2. What to expect • There are four sections to the English I EOC Exam, split into two days: Part I Writing: Monday 3/26 Part II Reading: Tuesday 3/27 • Editing and Revising section- you will read passages and answer approximately 50 questions on changes that need to be made (WRITING) • Essays- you will write a total of 3 essays, expository and literary (WRITING) • Reading comprehension- approximately 50 literary analysis/synthesis/comprehension questions over expository and literary passages (READING) • Open-Ended Response Questions (READING)

3. What to expect • This is a TIMED test! Monitor your time and watch the clock! • 4 hours/Part I Writing • 4 hours/Part II Reading *Allow yourself approximately an hour per section.

4. DAY 1Editing and Revising Section • You will read passages and answer approximately 50 questions on changes that need to be made to each. • Closely read the question and pay attention to the word “EXCEPT”. • Look carefully at the all answer choices before you decide. • Remember to read the passage first, then go back and answer the questions. • Choose the very BEST answer! • Use the dictionary! It is your best friend

5. DAY 13 Expository and Literary Essays *See Writing Workshop PP.

6. DAY 2Reading Comprehension • You will have to answer approximately 50 questions. • Look at all the answer choices carefully. • Two will be very close to correct, but choose the answer that is most relevant to the text. • Annotate and make notes while you are reading. This will help save time and ensure that you write down important information. Highlight important events in the story, conflict between characters, characters attitudes and actions, literary devices, etc. • Remember, this is not basic reading comprehension. This is literary analysis, synthesis, drawing conclusions and making inferences.

7. DAY 2Open-Ended Response Questions • Remember use “APE”! • 9 lines

8. Open-Ended Response Questions • Use the APE formula! • Answerthe question with part of the question (complete sentence ) Elie Wiesel utilizes figurative language, such as metaphors, to describe the gut-wrenching hunger and temptation that the inmates experienced. • Prove it with a quote/paraphrase from the text: In the book Night, after the air-raid sirens “began to wail” and SS officers took cover, the inmates noticed two cauldrons of soup, in their eyes, “a feast for kings,” abandoned, unguarded. • Explain/extendyour answer. This should be different from the first sentence! How does your proof support your answer? Wiesel compares the measly soup cauldrons to a feast for kings in order to show the desperate attempt to survive and the intense need to nourish their bodies with food. • Be specific! Make sure the reader knows who “he” or “she” is. Always introduce the person’s full name in the first part of the answer.

9. OER Scoring Guide • Read the prompt closely and answer the question correctly! • Do not write outside the lines given for each response. • Do not double up on lines. • Write legibly! If they can not read it, they will not give you a good score. • Proofread! • Embed your text evidence and make sure it supports your answer 100%! Make it flow! • Think about your answers carefully. You can score a 3!

10. Other Information • You will be able to use a dictionary/thesaurus on all portions of the test • Go to bed early • Eat a good breakfast • Bring WATER only • Bring at least two number two pencils with erasers and highlighters • Remember, this is a TIMED test, monitor your time! 4 hrs/section • Your breaks will be included within the 4 hour time allotment, time does NOT stop • Do not bring your cell phone or make sure it is turned completely off • If a cell phones rings during a test, your test and possibly others around you may become invalid

11. MOST IMPORTANTLY: TAKE A DEEP BREATH. YOU ARE READY FOR THIS TEST! GOOD LUCK!