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Tips
for Reviewing Prior to the Writing SOL
Good news!:
The essay and the multiple choice count equally. For many of you, getting 2 or 3 more
multiple choice questions right is all you need to pass!
Multiple Choice Questions:
1.
These
start with a writing assignment, and then ask questions that go through the stages of the writing process
(prewriting
questions, drafting questions, revising questions, editing questions).
2.
For
editing questions (spelling, punctuation, capitalization, etc. –
these questions always ask how something is “best written”),
the answer is never to change
more than one thing. Eliminate any options
that make more than one change.
3.
Underline
important words in the
questions. This will help you
focus.
4. Cross
out any answer
choices you know are wrong.
5. When you’re done, check your work
carefully!!! This does not mean see
if your bubbles are all filled in.
Instead reread the
questions and your answers. Then:
·
if you’re positive your answer is wrong, change it
·
if you’re just doubting yourself,
but are not sure it’s wrong, leave it alone! Your gut instinct was usually right.
·
Yes, I know it’s annoying to do this checking, but
isn’t it worth it to never have to take this test again?
Direct Writing Prompt Section:
1.
Read the prompt
carefully
2.
Use the dictionaries
they provide to look up any unfamiliar words.
3.
PREWRITE!!! Do this on scratch paper or on the prompt
itself.
4.
After you have your ideas
organized, DRAFT
on the back of the
prompt. Do not write in the answer book until it’s perfect.
Whatever goes
there gets scored, so there’s no room for error.
5. If you’re eligible to use
a translation dictionary
in a different
language, make
sure you bring one! If you don’t
have one, see your ESL
teacher to borrow one.
6.
Key points to remember when writing:
§
Essay
should have a introduction, body
paragraphs, and a conclusion
§
Use
specific examples.
§
Give
lots of detail! (color,
size, mental pictures – make these relevant to what you’re
writing about.)
§
Focus on the topic (ask yourself, am I
addressing the question they asked?)
§
Check
spelling in the
dictionaries
§
Don’t
be afraid to use big words. Even misspelling these doesn’t hurt
you as much as using them helps you.
§
Read
backwards for fragments.
§
Use
transitions, especially at the
start of all paragraphs other than the first. (first, secondly, lastly, in conclusion, furthermore, for
example, ect.)
§
There
is no time limit! Don’t waste time, but don’t feel
rushed to finish it in 90 minutes, either.
§
No
one expects perfection!
SOL Practice
Sites:
http://www.iq.poquoson.org/studygradeleveleoc.html
This
site allows you to take actual old SOLs online. As
you answer each question, it tells you if it is right.
http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Assessment/releasedtests.html
This
is the Department of Education’s page. From here, you can actually find all of
the old SOLs.
These are the same questions that are asked online at the first
site. This one doesn’t allow
you to answer them online, just see them, but it does provide an answer key
at the end of each test.
http://www.virginiasol.com/test_end_of_course.htm
This
is a good site to look at for SOL-like questions. The ones asked here are not from actual
Virginia SOLs, but a similar test that Texas gives to its
students.
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