Lesson 62
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This document provides guidelines for answering different types of test questions, including true-false, multiple choice, matching, sentence completion, and essay questions. It recommends strategies like looking for extreme modifiers or reasons in true-false questions, eliminating unlikely answers first in multiple choice, and using direction verbs in essay questions to understand what is being asked. Key tips include focusing on the question, using lists and examples, and clearly explaining your answers.
Lesson 62
- 1. Lesson 6.2 Objective and Subjective Test Taking Tips
- 2. Guidelines for Answering True-false Questions 1. When you do not know the answer. Mark it true! * There are generally more true questions on true-false exams than false questions. * Instructors find it difficult to make a false statement look true. * Specific detail in the statement may also tend to make it true. For example, the statement "Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs in one season" has specific detail and is more likely to be true.
- 3. Guidelines for Answering True-false Questions 2. Look for any factor that will make a statement false. * It is easy for the instructor to add a false part to an otherwise true statement. * Students often read the question and see some truth and quickly assume that the entire statement is true. For example, "Water boils at 212 degrees in Denver." Water does boil at 212 degrees, but not at Denver.s altitude.
- 4. Guidelines for Answering True-false Questions 3. Look for extreme modifiers that tend to make the question false. Extreme modifiers, such as always, all, never, or only make it more likely that the question is false. Here is a more complete list of EXTREME modifiers. all none best absolutely always never worst absolutely not only nobody everybody certainly invariably no one everyone certainly not
- 5. Guidelines for Answering True-false Questions 4. Qualifying words tend to make a question true. Qualifiers (seldom, often, many) increase the likelihood that the statement is true. Here is a more complete list of QUALIFIERS. usually frequently often sometimes some seldom many much probably a majority apt to most might a few may unlikely
- 6. Guidelines for Answering True-false Questions 5. Negative words or prefixes complicate the statement. * The prefixes (un-, im-, miss-) will alter the meaning of the statement. * Double negatives make a positive. For example "not uncommon" actually means common.
- 7. Guidelines for Answering True-false Questions 6. Questions that state a reason tend to be false. * Words in the statement that cause justification or reason (since, because, when, if) tend to make the statement false. * Pay close attention, the reason that is given may be incorrect or incomplete.
- 8. Guidelines for Answering True-false Questions 7. Questions that state a reason tend to be false. * Words in the statement that cause justification or reason (since, because, when, if) tend to make the statement false. * Pay close attention, the reason that is given may be incorrect or incomplete.
- 9. Guidelines for Answering Multiple-choice Questions 1. Formulate your own answer before reading the options. * Focus on finding an answer without the help of the alternatives. * This process will increase your concentration. * Doing this will help you exercise your memory.
- 10. Guidelines for Answering Multiple-choice Questions 2. Eliminate unlikely answers first. * Eliminating two alternatives quickly may increase your probability to 50/50 or better. * Use the true-false methods described earlier and find the false alternative.
- 11. Guidelines for Answering Multiple-choice Questions 3. Select numbered answers from the middle range, not the extremes. * For example, if the height of a mountain is requested, eliminate 20,000 feet (high), and 3,000 feet (low). Then choose between 8,000 feet and 11,000 feet.
- 12. Guidelines for Answering Multiple-choice Questions 4. Select answers that are longer and more descriptive. * Longer (true) answers stand out and contain more detail. * Shorter (false) answers are created quickly as throwaways. * Descriptive detail is given to help you identify the truth.
- 13. Guidelines for Answering Multiple-choice Questions 5. Similar answers give you a clue! One of them is correct, the other is disguised. 6. Watch out for "NOT TRUE?" * Remember to reverse your procedure and eliminate truth. * Use the true-false methods described earlier and find the false alternative.
- 14. Guidelines for Answering Matching Questions 1. Examine both lists to determine the types of items and their relationships. * Remember the test maker may be testing to see if you have mastered terms. * Look completely through both lists to become familiar, build your confidence, and enhance your memory of key words or phrases.
- 15. Guidelines for Answering Matching Questions 2. Use one list as a starting point and go through the second list to find a match. * This process organizes your thinking and promotes memory. * As you become familiar with the second list, you will be able to go straight to a match that you saw when looking through the lists a previous time.
- 16. Guidelines for Answering Matching Questions 3. Move through the entire list before selecting a match because a more correct answer may follow. 4. Cross off items on the second list when your are certain that you have a match. 5. Do not guess until all absolute matches have been made because you will likely eliminate an answer that could be used for a later choice.
- 17. Guidelines for Answering Sentence Completion or Fill-in-the-blank Questions 1. Concentrate on the number of blanks in the sentence and the length of the space. The test maker is giving you clues to the answer by adding spaces and making them longer. 2. Provide a descriptive answer when you can not think of the exact word or words. The instructor will often reward your effort with partial credit.
- 18. Guidelines for Essay Questions 1. Organize your thoughts before you begin to write. * A short outline on a separate piece of paper will improve your answer. * Write the topics and the key introductory words.
- 19. Guidelines for Essay Questions 2. Paraphrase the original question to form your introductory statement. * his process helps you get the question straight in your mind. * Restating the question allows the teacher to see how you understood the question. Perhaps you understood it to mean something other than the teacher intended.
- 20. Guidelines for Essay Questions 3. Use the principles of English composition * Form a clear thesis statement (statement of purpose) and place it as near to the beginning as possible. * Provide clear explanations to back up the main concept. * Remember, a complete answer usually has a main idea , supporting details and illustrative examples.
- 21. Guidelines for Essay Questions 4. Write clearly! Teachers need to be able to read it. * Making teachers work hard to read lowers your grade. * Write or print clearly, using a dark-colored erasable ball point pen. * Avoid crossing out words or sentences, and don't smudge your paper. * Remember to save some space for a brief but adequate summary.
- 22. Guidelines for Essay Questions 5. Use lists or bullets wherever possible. * Numbers or bullets allow the teachers to easily see your points. * Never burry your lists or key points in the middle of a paragraph. * If you must use a long paragraph, underline your key points.
- 23. Guidelines for Essay Questions Direction verbs that ask you to review an idea or concept in your own swords summarize, survey, discuss, explain Direction verbs that ask for a set of items or ideas that were presented in lecture or reading. Theses action words generally require more precise wording of items by giving numbers or steps: trace, outline, list, diagram, solve Direction verbs that ask you to speak in favor of a concept or give the reasons why it should be accepted as valid: defend, argue, debate, contend, justify
- 24. Guidelines for Essay Questions Direction verbs that ask for a specific meaning or picture of a concept: define, clarify, describe, depict, illustrate Direction verbs that ask you to show differences in several ideas or situations: contrast, compare, distinguish, differentiate Direction adjectives that ask for specific information the instructor considers important: significant, critical, key, important, major, principal, essential, vital
- 25. Guidelines for Essay Questions 6. Identify the verbs or words in the question that give you direction. * Key words in each question describe the task you are expected to complete. * Circle the direction words in the question to make sure that you are focusing on the desired task. * Sample direction verbs or adjectives, and their generally intended action or task, are listed on the next slide.
- 26. Guidelines for Essay Questions Direction verbs that ask you to review an idea or concept in your own words: summarize, survey, discuss, explain Direction verbs that ask for a set of items or ideas that were presented in lecture or reading. These action words generally require more precise wording of items by giving numbers or steps: trace, outline, list, diagram, solve
- 27. Guidelines for Essay Questions Directions verbs that ask you to speak in favor of a concept or give the reasons why it should be accepted as valid: defend, argue, debate, contend, justify Directions verbs that ask for a specific meaning or picture of a concept: define, clarify, describe, depict, illustrate
- 28. Guidelines for Essay Questions Directions verbs that ask you to show differences in several ideas or situations: contrast, compare, distinguish, differentiate, Direction adjectives that ask for specific information the instructor considers important: significant, critical, key, important, major, principal, essential, vital