Pre-AP English II: Reading Test Tips

If the Reading Test materials are completely separate from the Writing Test, I'll be able to update this until 6:30am on April 4th. Otherwise, like the Writing Test Tips post, I won't be able to provide additional tips beyond 6:30am on the 3rd.

[6:15pm] The following are some tips for the Open-Ended Question. Make sure you understand key terms in the question, particularly literary elements like "symbolize," "compare," "contrast," or "figuratively"

• symbolize: likely a material object is representing a larger thing, possibly even an idea or concept
• compare: what are similarities
• contrast: what are differences
• figuratively: something metaphorical (not necessarily a metaphor, but definitely not literally true)

Answer all parts of the question.

• If the question asks about something "before and after," or "at the beginning and the end" your answer must address both. "Throughout the course of the story" also means "beginning and end." Sneaky.

Higher level vocabulary can boost your score if you use it correctly.

Your text evidence must relate to and support your idea/answer. Be very careful. Act as if your reader hasn't read the story and cannot fill in any gaps of logic you may have skipped over.

[4:15pm] Here's a page with tips for embedding quotations.

[3:40pm] Grammar Girl has "quick and dirty" tips covering:

• Grammar (duh),
• Punctuation, and
• Word Choice

[3:20pm] The Oatmeal has several web-comic/poster guides to better spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Some include vocabulary of questionable appropriateness. Fair warning.