Box It!!

Your ticket to passing the OAA—and to answering any short or extended

response question.

2 Points = 2 Actions

This means I need to do 2 things!

4 Points = 4 Actions

This means I must do _____things!

Step One:How do I know what to do?!

Read the question.

Really read the question—the whole thing! And then……

Find the Action Words!!

Describe Explain Evaluate Determine Contrast Compare Support Justify Give reasons

Show Draw Give examples Simplify Demonstrate Compute Construct State Identify

Underline them!!Really! Right on the test or paper. Underline those action words!!

Step Two:

Short Answer ExampleWhat would you underline?

On the basis of Helen Keller’sexperiences by the end of thepassage, predict her attitudetoward her future lessons.Support your answer withspecific details.Write your answer in the AnswerDocument. (2 points)

Another example….The original cost of the guitar that Janewants to buy is $240 in two different stores.Sam’s Music is having a sale where guitarsare discounted by 30%. Melody Music isoffering a $45 discount on the same guitar.

In your Answer Document, explain whichstore is offering the better deal. Show workor provide an explanation to supportyour answer. (2 points)

The picture shows a stream flowing through a desert canyon. The canyon was shaped by natural processes.

In your Answer Document, identify a slow process that could have helped shape the canyon. Describe evidence of this process shown in the picture.

Then, identify a rapid process that could have helped shape the canyon. Describe evidence of this process shown in the picture. (4 points)

The charts show some differences in the amount of electricity produced bydifferent methods in the United States and in Ohio. Various constraints, such asgeographic, social or economic factors, influence the method used for electricityproduction in a region.

In your Answer Document, choose one method of electricity production usedin Ohio.

Give two reasons or factors that support using this method in Ohio, and givetwo reasons or factors that can be used to argue against using this methodin Ohio. (4 points)

Step Three: Look at how many points the question is

worth. If it’s worth 2 points, draw 2 boxes.

Step Three:If it’s worth 4 points, draw 4 boxes.

Label your boxes with your verbs. Predict Support

On the basis of Helen Keller’s experiences by the end of the passage, predict her attitude toward her future lessons.

Support your answer with specific details.

Write your answer in the Answer Document. (2 points)

Write your answers in the boxes.

Look back at the question and see what they want you to “predict”, or “explain,” or “support” or “describe”.

Write your answer in a sentence in each box.

Make sure your have each box filled.

Label your boxes with your verbs. Predict Support

On the basis of Helen Keller’s experiences by the end of the passage, predict her attitude toward her future lessons.

Support your answer with specific details.

Write your answer in the Answer Document. (2 points)

She went around trying tolearn the names for common

objects around her.

I predict Helen will actually study and try to learn more.

I think she would be more eager to learn as

much as she could.

When she got home from the well-house she said

everything she touched felt full of life.

She will be very calm.She won’t fight or

throw a hissie fit or argue.

She knew she was blind so she made the best of

it.Her attitude was good.

Let’s try another one…

Use two pieces of information from the passage to explain how the Indians showed “care and respect” for the cedar trees.

Write your answer in the Answer Document.

(2 points)

Use two pieces of information from the passage to explain how the Indians showed “care and respect” for the cedar trees.Write your answer in the Answer Document. (2 points)

What is the verb to underline?How many boxes do you draw?What would the labels be?

On your answer document, identify two beliefs that influenced China during the Zhou period; then describe each belief.

Is this a 2 or 4 point question?

1. Read question.2. Underline verbs or action words.3. Draw boxes.4. Label boxes.5. Go back to question to see what they

want.6. Write your answers in a sentence.