Revising and Editing Revising and Editing in Contextin Context

Understanding and Answering Multiple Choice Items

Using this PowerpointUsing this Powerpoint This powerpoint was created to help you answer more

multiple choice items correctly Your goal is to answer all multiple choice items

correctly. First, you learn about multiple choice items. Then, you practice answering multiple choice items by

predicting and thinking like a stoplight. Next, you learn more about multiple choice items by

writing multiple choice items. Finally, you write 2 multiple choice items on your own. Good luck reaching your goal.

Begin by Understanding Multiple Begin by Understanding Multiple Choice ItemsChoice Items

Multiple choice items use a stem to ask you to select one of the options from a list.

Example:1.What was the writer’s purpose?

A. to persuade readers to fly kitesB. to show readers how to make a kiteC. to inform readers about the history of kitesD. to entertain readers with a story about kites

Multiple-choice Item StemsMultiple-choice Item Stems

The stem is the beginning part of the item that presents:

a problem to be solved, a question asked of the test taker, or an incomplete statement to be

completed.

Example: 1.What was the writer’s purpose?

Multiple Choice Item OptionsMultiple Choice Item OptionsThe options are the possible answer choices.

Example:A. to persuade readers to fly kitesB. to show readers how to make a kiteC. to inform readers about the history of kites (key)D. to entertain readers with a story about kites

The correct answer is called the key and the incorrect answers are called distractors.

How to Successfully Answer How to Successfully Answer Multiple Choice ItemsMultiple Choice ItemsSpend time on the stem before reading

the options cover the options with your hand or a piece of

paper read the question carefully pay attention to key words activate prior knowledge predict an answer

ExampleExampleHere is the stem:

Read the sentence below.These fun activities need lots of important training and safety rules.

Which word could replace need in this sentence?

Think about all the words you know that could replace the word need. Make a list of the words. Predict an answer.

Was “Require” on Your List?Was “Require” on Your List?Read the sentence below.

These fun activities need lots of important training and safety rules.

Which word could replace need in this sentence?

A. require (key)B. wantC. playD. show

How to Successfully Answer How to Successfully Answer Multiple Choice ItemsMultiple Choice ItemsRead each option carefully and think like a

stoplight◦Read the option and give it a red if it doesn’t answer the

question or seems ridiculous. Red means stop thinking about this option.

◦Read the option and give it a yellow if it might be the answer to the question because it has some of the same words as the question or it matches the prediction you made from just reading the stem. Yellow means keep thinking about this option

◦Reread all of the options that are yellow. Choose the one that best answers the question and give it a green. Green means it is your go answer, the one you are choosing as the correct answer.

ExampleExampleRead the sentence below.

Many kites today are used for entertainment, but in the past it was used for many important things.

What is the conjunction that connects the two sentences?

A. In yellow (it is in the middle so it might connect them, so reread and think again)

B. Many red (it is at the beginning, it can’t connect them, so stop thinking about it)

C. Entertainment red (it is a noun, not a conjunction, so stop thinking about it)

D. But yellow (it is right after the comma, so it might connect them) green (I also remember that

the word “but” is a conjunction so this is my go answer)

Try Thinking Through Try Thinking Through Two ExamplesTwo ExamplesHere is the stem:

This selection is nonfiction because it

Think: What is nonfiction?What about this selection is nonfiction?Predict some answers.

Here is the Stem with OptionsHere is the Stem with OptionsThis selection is nonfiction because it1.shows pictures of alligators.2.provides facts about alligators.3.tells a story about alligators.4.is written from an alligator’s point of view.Think:Do any of these answers match my prediction?

There may be more than one that matches so be careful and think like a stoplight.

Think Like a StoplightThink Like a StoplightThis selection is nonfiction because it1.shows pictures of alligators.2.provides facts about alligators.3.tells a story about alligators.4.is written from an alligator’s point of view.

Possible ThinkingPossible ThinkingThis selection is nonfiction because it1. shows pictures of alligators. yellow (nonfiction uses

pictures but so does fiction, so reread and think again)2. provides facts about alligators. yellow (nonfiction uses facts

but so does fiction, so reread and think again) green (everything in this selection is true so this is my go answer)

3. tells a story about alligators. red (stories are not nonfiction, so stop thinking about it)

4. is written from an alligator’s point of view. red (animals don’t talk or think in nonfiction books, so stop thinking about it)

Try Thinking with a PartnerTry Thinking with a PartnerHere is the stem:

In this selection, semi-aquatic means to

Think:Do I know any parts of this word?Are there any clues in the selection to help

me figure out what this word means?Predict an answer.

Think Like a StoplightThink Like a StoplightHere is the stem with options:In this selection, semi-aquatic means toA.be in water about half of the time.B.breathe under the water.C.be under the water at all times.D.swim fast in the water.

Think:Do any of these answers match my prediction?Be careful, think like a stoplight.

Possible ThinkingPossible ThinkingIn this selection, semi-aquatic means toA. be in water about half of the time. yellow (that makes

sense to me with what I know about alligators, so reread and think again) green (semi-aquatic reminds me of semi-finals, half the tournament is over, and semi-circle, half a circle, so this is my go answer.

B. breathe under the water. red (that would be aquatic not semi-aquatic so stop thinking about it)

C. be under the water at all times. red (I’ve seen alligators walking on land on tv so stop thinking about it)

D. swim fast in the water. yellow (could be, not sure, nothing in the word makes me think of swimming fast though, so reread and think again)

Understanding Multiple Choice Items by Understanding Multiple Choice Items by Writing Multiple Choice ItemsWriting Multiple Choice ItemsHere is a student writing sample:

Dear Suzy,Fourth grade is fun. It is not as hard as you probably think, but it is harder than third grade. One of my favorite things is foreign language. You can either take Spanish or French. Both teachers are nice. I take French.For homework on Monday we have math handwriting and reading. On Tuesday, we have reading spelling and handwriting. On Wednesday, we have math and reading. On Thursday, we have the same homework as Tuesday. De don’t have homework on Friday.We have to do states tests. We learn abbreviations, capitals and nicknames. We also do state reports. You can choose your own state. I had to find information on the state of Texas.We study inventors. You can also choose your partners and inventors. I was with Cathy and Mark we chose Thomas Edison and Alexander Bell.We make our own inventions. The have special uses. I made a page holder. It make it easy to hold pages.

We study Pioneer days.Every afternoon you do you’re journal.

Start with Editing ErrorsStart with Editing ErrorsWhat errors did this writer make that

could have been fixed through careful editing? Check for these kinds of errors.

◦spelling◦punctuation ◦capitalization◦grammar

Create a stem about the errorCreate 4 options

◦One option should be correct◦Three options should be wrong but plausible◦Make them all the same length or make 2 short and 2

long

Create a Stem about the ErrorCreate a Stem about the ErrorSome examples:Read the sentence below.

For homework on Monday we have math handwriting and reading.

Which is the best way to fix or edit this sentence?

Read the sentence below.Every afternoon you do you’re journal.

Which sentence has been fixed or edited correctly?

Try Writing some Options Try Writing some Options for the First Stemfor the First StemRead the sentence below.

For homework on Monday we have math handwriting and reading.

Which is the best way to fix or edit this sentence?

1.sentence 12.sentence 23.sentence 34.sentence 4

Writing Revision StemsWriting Revision StemsMultiple choice items for revising in context might be about: Adding details

◦ Which of the following is an appropriate detail that could be added about studying pioneer days?

Improving word choice◦ Read the sentence below

I made a page holder.Which of the following words could be used instead of made?

Improving paragraphs◦ Which of the following would improve the first

paragraph of this sample?

Try Writing some Options Try Writing some Options for this Stem with a Partnerfor this Stem with a Partner

Read the sentence belowI made a page holder.

Which of the following words could be used instead of made?

1.word 12.word 23.word 34.word 4

Writing Knowledge about Writing Knowledge about Craft StemsCraft StemsMultiple choice items for knowledge about

craft might be about:

Identifying genre◦What genre is this piece of writing?

Identifying author’s purpose◦Why did the author write this student sample?

Identifying writer’s craft◦Which of the following is an example of a

strong verb?

Try Writing some Options Try Writing some Options for this Stem with a Partnerfor this Stem with a PartnerWhat genre is this piece of writing?

1.genre 12.genre 2 3.genre 34.genre 4

Now try it with a PartnerNow try it with a PartnerHere is the student writing sample:I care for my dogs a lot. I feed them three times a day. I

let them go outside in our fenced back yard. I like to let them go outside because I can watch them play around. I like to purchase dog toys. I get them a lot of dog toys. I like to get things for my dogs because they do not care what they get. I like to play catch with my dogs. Sometimes we take them for a ride in the car I like to roll down the window and let them stick out their noses. I also like to teach them to did tricks. I can tell they are intelajent. My cat will purr when she is happy. If I put a treat on their nose, they can push it into the air and eat it. I even like to take them for walks at the park at school and around the block. I like it because they do not pull you to the ground like my Uncle Joe’s dogs do. I like to care for my dogs because my dogs are very good and my dogs obey me. They are very cool dogs. That’s how I care for my dogs.

Create 2 Multiple Choice ItemsCreate 2 Multiple Choice Items First, consider these editing errors to create a stem

◦ spelling◦ punctuation ◦ capitalization◦ grammar

Then, consider these revising strategies to create a stem◦ adding details◦ improving word choice◦ improving paragraphs

Next, consider knowledge about craft to create a stem◦ identifying Genre◦ identifying Author’s purpose◦ identifying writer’s craft

Finally, write 4 options for each stem◦ Make sure the key answer is correct◦ Make sure the distractors are plausible