Session 1: Reading

PSAT SKILLS REVIEW

Overview of Sections/Question Types: PSATSection 1: Critical Reading (25 minutes/24

questions)Sentence completion/vocabulary in context (8)Reading comprehension (16)

Section 2: Math (25 minutes/20 questions) Section 3: Critical Reading (25 minutes/24

questions)Sentence completion/vocabulary in context (5)Reading comprehension (19)

Section 4: Math (25 minutes/18 questions)Section 5: Writing Skills (30 minutes/39 questions)

Correctness and effectiveness of expressionGrammar and usage errorsRevising Writing

Today’s Focus: Critical ReadingCareful Reading of “Critical Reading” Item

StemsCareful Reading of “Writing” Item StemsCoding Item StemsVocabulary DevelopmentPassages: Vocabulary Meaning in ContextVocabulary Sentence Completion

Careful Reading of Item Stems1/3 of the time, questions answered

incorrectly because student misinterpreted the item

You MUST read the item carefully and correctly, or you will get it wrong, even if you know the material.

The ability to focus on each question and read with precision will help you on ALL areas of the test.

Understanding what the question is asking can be practiced by analyzing question stems.

Careful Reading of Critical Reading: Passage Item StemsHomework: pp. 40-41 (1-15) Quick Check

and QuestionsIn class practice: pp. 42-43 (2, 4, 6, 8, 10)

5 minutes-GO!

What patterns do you see in the types of questions? How can this help you as you are reading?

Careful Reading of Writing Item StemsThis will help you with “Improving

Paragraphs” and “Essay Prompts” on the writing sections.

Homework: pp. 52-53 (1-10) Quick Check and Questions

What patterns do you see among the questions? What do you need to practice or learn to answer these types of questions?

Critical Reading: Reading ComprehensionMost students are pressed for time on these

sections.Time can be saved by looking for correct answers

as you read the passage for the first time.This type of reading requires answering questions

at a rate of less than one per minute.It is recommended that you do a careful reading

of the passage (not skimming).Knowing the correct item-type can help you know

the characteristics you are looking for in the correct answer and the strategy to use to find it.

Seven Types of Critical Reading Items1. Main Idea- What is the unifying theme?2. Explicit Detail- What is explicitly

mentioned?3. Vocabulary- How are certain words used?4. Development- How are ideas constructed

and arranged?5. Implied Idea- What can be inferred?6. Application- How can the information be

applied to new situations?7. Voice- What does the writer reveal through

attitude, tone, or voice?

Three Levels of Reading Comprehension1. General Theme – Main Idea

2. Specific Points- Explicit Detail, Vocabulary, Development

3. Evaluation- Implied Idea, Application, Voice

Coding Stems on PSAT Form SGroups of 3-4/Timed CompetitionPages 4-5 in test booklet (#s 13-22) 10

minutes- GO!Quick Check- Winners!

Questions?Reflection: How can knowing the item-

types and comprehension levels being tested help you on the Critical Reading passages?

Vocabulary!Can be learned through direct instruction, but words

don’t “stick” until you’ve read them (or used them!) multiple times.

Can use word parts and context clues to infer meaning.Can use logical structure of a sentence to predict

appropriate words.

SUGGESTIONS:Read, read, READ! Highlight word parts/words on pages 59-75 that you

already know. Figure out “tricks” for certain words.Think through context and double check meaningsPay attention to vocabulary in AP Language and Comp next

fall!

VocabularyHomework: pp. 76-77 (1-10) Context and

pp. 78-79 (1-12) Sentence Completion

Group challenge: pp 80-81Flexibility- give three words for eachFluency- do as many as you can working

together