8 Powerful WordsTAKS Prep

English

Day 1

EXPLAIN

Tell in your own words why or how

EMPHASIZE

Point out, take special notice

SUPPORT

Back it up, prove it,give examples

Example:1. What is the theme of the story “The Crystal Night”? Explain your answer using

evidence.

•Find the powerful word in the question above. Then find that word on your chart on pages 5-6.•Write the number of the question you found the word in. •Then explain: What is the question asking you to do with the work?

#1: To explain how/why this is the story’s theme. Use quotes.

1. How would you describe the German soldiers in “The Crystal Night”? Support your answer with evidence from the selection.

Which powerful word do you see?

a. What powerful word?b. Where on your chart? …………

c. What is it asking? ………………..

Write the number of the question next to word.Explain what the question is asking you to do specifically.

2. What is the primary conflict in “Breakfast in Virginia”? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from the selection.

Which powerful word do you see?

a. What powerful word?b. Where on your chart? …………

c. What is it asking? ………………..

Write the number of the question next to word.Explain what the question is asking you to do specifically.

3. In paragraph 7, the author uses the words “creaked” and “shuddered” to emphasize the

A. attitude of the chiefB. condition of the truckC. heat of the highwayD. fear of the couple

Which powerful word do you see?

a. What powerful word?b. Where on your chart? …………

c. What is it asking? ………………..

Write the number of the question next to word.Explain what the question is asking you to do specifically.

Day 2

INFERRead between the lines,

get what’s being hinted at but not said directly

PREDICT

Make an educated guess on what will happen

next

CONCLUDE

Come to a final understanding

Based on her earlier reaction to the news about John, what do you predict April will do next?

A. pretend that she has faintedB. run away screamingC. act like nothing matters to herD. laugh loudly

a. What powerful word?b. Where on your chart? …………

c. What is it asking? ………………..

Write the number of the question next to word.Explain what the question is asking you to do specifically.

Which powerful word do you see?

The reader can infer that the elderly man:A. identifies with the two corporals because his son is a soldierB. believes there should be two separate types of cars on the

trainC. performs an act of kindness because he feels superior to the

two soldiers

a. What powerful word?b. Where on your chart? …………

c. What is it asking? ………………..

Write the number of the question next to word.Explain what the question is asking you to do specifically.

Which powerful word do you see?

From the reaction of the chief, the reader can conclude thatA. they are used to dealing with malariaB. they do not care whether the boy diesC. they grew up together near the hospitalD. they will have dinner together that evening

a. What powerful word?b. Where on your chart? …………

c. What is it asking? ………………..

Write the number of the question next to word.Explain what the question is asking you to do specifically.

Which powerful word do you see?

Day 3

SUMMARIZE

Give a short version of the whole thing

BEST

The closest possible choice

Some examples of use: best describes, best demonstrates, best conveys, best reveals, best indicates, best illustrates, best represents, best expresses, best matches, etc.

Be sure you read WHAT the question is asking for (underlining it helps)– and pick the closest choice. Even if you don’t understand every word, you should still be able to eliminate some choices.

BEST

Which sentence from the story summarizes the attitude the Nazis displayed?

A. As I walked home, I heard loud shouting and singing.B. Like all the other kids, I had become caught up in the

excitement.C. None of them seemed to notice me.D. Momentarily startled, the giant trooper loosened his grip.

Which powerful word do you see?

a. What powerful word?b. Where on your chart? …………

c. What is it asking? ………………..

Write the number of the question next to word.Explain what the question is asking you to do specifically.

Which word best identifies what Superman represents for the narrator?

A. IndependenceB. IntelligenceC. ProtectionD. Purity

Which powerful word do you see?

a. What powerful word?b. Where on your chart? …………

c. What is it asking? ………………..

Write the number of the question next to word.Explain what the question is asking you to do specifically.