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Descriptive Statements:
- Use knowledge of syntactic rules and word structure and contextual analysis skills to help identify word meanings.
- Determine the denotative and connotative meanings of words and phrases, including the meanings of homonyms, synonyms, and antonyms.
- Relate words and phrases that are derivatives and borrowings to their origins in other languages.
- Recognize the historical, social, cultural, regional, and technological influences that have helped shape the English language.
- Connect unfamiliar words and phrases with familiar words, phrases, concepts, and experiences.
- Recognize an appropriate reading strategy to use for a particular text and purpose.
- Recognize appropriate research-based reading comprehension strategies to use before, during, and after reading.
Sample Item:
Which of the following pairs of words acquired new, specialized meanings due to the influence of
the field of psychology?
- broadcast, screen
- introvert, inhibition
- network, window
- sedan, coupe
Correct Response and Explanation (Show Correct ResponseHide Correct Response)
B. This question requires the examinee to recognize historical, social, and cultural influences that have helped shape the English language. The word introvert was first used in the late seventeenth century to mean "to concentrate upon oneself." The word inhibition was first used in the fourteenth century to mean "something that forbids or restricts." Each of these words took on specialized meanings in the field of psychology in the late nineteenth century: introvert came to mean "to produce psychological introversion in," and inhibition came to mean "a mental process imposing restraint on behavior."
Descriptive Statements:
- Recognize the characteristics of various types of informational texts, such as newspapers, textbooks, online encyclopedias, and webzines.
- Use knowledge of the organizational features and structure of an informational text to help enhance comprehension of the text.
- Identify the main idea, purpose, and intended audience of an informational text.
- Distinguish between general statements and specific details presented in an informational text.
- Assess the relevance, importance, and sufficiency of evidence, examples, and reasons provided to explain a concept or process presented in an informational text.
- Assess the credibility, objectivity, and reliability of various sources used in an informational text.
- Recognize an accurate summary of an informational text.
- Interpret graphic features used in informational texts, such as tables, graphs, and charts.
Sample Item:
Read the excerpt below; then answer the question that follows.
Learning how to behave when with your horse is the first step towards building a good working relationship with him. A well-treated horse is trusting but a frightened horse can be very strong and could be dangerously unsafe. Always speak calmly. Horses are sensitive to tone of voice, so never shout. Avoid noises like road drills or motor bikes. Don't move suddenly or carelessly when around horses. Use persuasion to encourage your horse. Horses never forget a bad experience, but you can use their memory to your advantage as they will also remember praise and rewards. Horses work best when they are in a happy environment and they like routine.
Source: Watson, Mary Gordon. From Learn Horseback Riding in a Weekend, published by Dorling Kindersley, 1992, 1996. Copyright © Dorling Kindersley, 1992. www.penguin.com. Reprinted by permission.
For which of the following statements does this excerpt offer a sufficient amount of supporting detail?
- A calm horse requires less praise than a skittish horse.
- Horses are best trained in remote, rural places.
- A highly disciplined horse will be a hard-working horse.
- Horses respond best to steady, gentle encouragement.
Correct Response and Explanation (Show Correct ResponseHide Correct Response)
D. This question requires the examinee to assess the sufficiency of evidence, examples, and reasons provided to explain a concept or process presented in an informational text. The details in the excerpt explain the dos and don'ts of communicating with horses, such as do "speak calmly" to them but don't "move suddenly or carelessly" around them. Collectively, these tips support the practice of using steady, gentle encouragement with horses.
Descriptive Statements:
- Recognize the characteristics of various types of persuasive texts, such as editorials, propaganda, and print and Web pop-up advertisements.
- Use knowledge of the organizational features and structure of a persuasive text to help enhance comprehension of the text.
- Identify the main idea, purpose, and intended audience of a persuasive text.
- Distinguish between facts and opinions presented in a persuasive text.
- Assess the relevance, importance, and sufficiency of evidence, examples, and reasons provided to support an argument presented in a persuasive text.
- Assess the credibility, objectivity, and reliability of various sources used in a persuasive text.
- Analyze the use of rhetorical devices and techniques in a persuasive text, such as repetition, exaggeration, and logical, emotional, and ethical appeals.
- Interpret graphic features used in persuasive texts, such as photographs and illustrations.
Sample Item:
Read the excerpt below; then answer the question that follows.
Representative government in the United States has broken down. Our legislators do not represent the
public, the voters, or even those who voted for them but rather the commercial-industrial interests that finance their political campaigns and control the organs of communication—the TV, the newspapers, the billboards, the radio. Politics is a game for the rich only. Representative government in the USA represents money, not people, and therefore has forfeited our allegiance and moral support. We owe it nothing but the taxation it extorts from us under threats of seizure of property. . . .
Source: Abbey, Edward. Excerpt from "Eco-Defense" from ONE LIFE AT A TIME, PLEASE by Edward Abbey. Copyright © 1988 by Edward Abbey. Reprinted by arrangement with Henry Holt and Company, LLC. Reprinted by permission of Don Congdon Associates, Inc. © 1988 by Edward Abbey.
Which of the following statements best describes the effect of the author's use of a rhetorical technique
in this excerpt?
- The author's use of specific examples such as TV, newspapers, and radio demonstrates a thoroughly researched perspective.
- A reliance on exaggerations and sweeping generalizations reveals strong biases in the author's argument.
- The author's use of a simple, clear position statement at the beginning of the argument helps reinforce the overall validity of the argument.
- A focus on appeals to authority and emotion reveals that the author's perspective is based primarily on hearsay.
Correct Response and Explanation (Show Correct ResponseHide Correct Response)
B. This question requires the examinee to analyze the use of a rhetorical technique in a persuasive text. In the excerpt, the author reveals strong biases through exaggerations such as
"Representative government in the United States has broken down" and sweeping generalizations such as
"Politics is a game for the rich only."
Descriptive Statements:
- Recognize the characteristics of various types of technical texts, such as warranties and contracts, and various types of functional texts, such as timetables and application forms.
- Use information presented in technical texts to gain knowledge and develop skills, such as learning and exercising consumers' and citizens' rights.
- Use information presented in functional texts to confirm facts and perform tasks, such as planning travel or applying for a job.
- Interpret graphic features used in technical texts, such as flowcharts and schematics, and in functional texts, such as keys/legends and diagrams.
Sample Item:
An individual reads the instructions below for acquiring an absentee ballot. She provides her local board of elections with her driver's license, a statement identifying the election in which she would like to vote, and an address to which she would like the absentee ballot mailed.
Voter Registration Information
How can I acquire an absentee ballot?
Write or go to the board of elections in your county and request an absentee ballot application.
On the application, you must provide the following information:
- your printed name and signature,
- the address at which you are currently registered to vote,
- your date of birth,
- personal identification, which may be any one of the following:
- your driver's license number, or
- the last four digits of your social security number, or
- a copy of your current and valid photo identification or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document that shows your name and address
- a statement identifying the election for which the absentee ballot is being requested,
- a statement declaring that you are a qualified elector, and
- an address to which you would like the ballot mailed, if applicable.
Absentee ballot applications must be received by your county's board of elections by noon of the Saturday before the election.
Based on these instructions, this individual will need to provide which of the
following additional materials in order to acquire an absentee ballot?
- a paycheck that she has endorsed but not yet cashed
- a copy of her birth certificate
- a statement declaring that she is a qualified elector
- a copy of her most recent phone bill
Correct Response and Explanation (Show Correct ResponseHide Correct Response)
C. This question requires the examinee to use information presented in a technical text to gain knowledge and develop skills, such as learning and exercising citizens' rights. When the individual acquires the application at her local board of elections, she will be able to fill in her name, date of birth, and current address as well as provide her signature. In addition, she will have in hand her driver's license, the address to which she would like her ballot mailed, and a statement identifying the elections in which she would like to vote. According to the instructions, then, the last piece she will need to complete her application is a statement declaring that she is a qualified elector.
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