111 TExES Generalist 4 - 8 Exam Practice Questions
1. All language arts programs should prepare students to:
A. Perform in public
B. Enjoy classical music
C. Apply knowledge outside the classroom
D. All of the above
2. A literature curriculum that help students understand the content in other disciplines includes:
A. Contemporary and historical literature
B. Use of universal themes
C. Recognizing society's diversity
D. All of the above
3. It is important to make connections to other areas of the students' lives, in order to:
A. Help students understand their world
B. Hone their ability to see the relationship between unrelated topics
C. Discover alternate perspectives
D. All of the above
4. The separated-simulated-integrated method of instruction teaches:
A. Related vocabulary and critical thinking
B. How to memorize
C. Public speaking
D. All of the above
5. The steps to complete an assignment include:
A. Memorizing facts
B. Researching and breaking topics into manageable parts
C. Create fantastic scenarios
D. All of the above
6. Reasons students should read include:
A. Increase in vocabulary
B. Improving comprehension
C. For fun
D. All of the above
7. Strategies that help students make the most of their reading experiences include:
A. Encourage questions and engage in dialogue with the author
B. Memorize names and dates
C. Reading unrelated historical data
D. All of the above
8. The basics of math include:
A. Geography
B. Calculus
C. Addition and division
D. All of the above
9. Social Studies is composed of:
A. History and Cultural Influences
B. Astronomy
C. Science
D. All of the above
10. Students need to understand the history of science to:
A. Recognize that proven hypotheses never change
B. Understand why a theory was proven wrong
C. Students do not need to understand the history of science
D. All of the above
ANSWER KEY EXAM 111
1. Answer: D
Home, church, community and culture all play vital roles in the life and learning experience of all students. Recognizing these influences and working with them by incorporating a wide range of print and non-print media across many countries and cultures should be the cornerstone of every language arts program. Learning is most effective when students acquire the skills they need, retain that knowledge and are able to apply the information outside the language arts classroom. Teaching grammar and syntax rules as students read a variety of fiction and non-fiction texts help them learn about the complex world they live in and prepares them to function as productive citizens in that world. Learning to understand, evaluate, integrate and share information gleaned from the literature of many eras and a variety of genres helps students appreciate diversity and enhances their knowledge of the world beyond their backyard. The ability to read, write, analyze and communicate ideas and concepts effectively should be the ultimate goal of every language arts program.
2. Answer: D
In a well-designed language arts program, contemporary and historical literature in various genres is read and analyzed. The content embraces society's diversity, portrays women and minorities accurately and without bias and explores various countries and cultures. It is organized around universal themes that reflect the human condition, promote critical thinking and vocabulary enhancement and integrate information from other disciplines. The program emphasizes that timeless literature does not exist in a vacuum and can only be truly understood when viewed through the social, economic and political environment in which they are set. This is the best way to integrate information from other disciplines such as history, social studies and economics into the language arts program.
3. Answer: D
A great way to engage adolescents in the learning process is to offer them material interesting to them, on topics they care about that help them understand their world better. The information presented needs be meaningful and make sense to them. It is imperative to make connections between data learned and skills acquired in one class and show students how to apply the knowledge in other disciplines. Connected data can be used to understand new facts, integrate new information and apply lessons learned in one area to problems posed in another. The ability to see the relationship between seemingly unrelated topics and events requires critical thinking and advanced reasoning skills. As students share ideas and ask questions, alternate perspectives are presented, considered and integrated. When students explore the relationship between activities and attitudes in school, at home and in the neighborhood, they gradually begin to understand that individual actions have far-reaching consequences beyond the immediate environment.
4. Answer: A
Many schools consistently produce highly literate students by using the separated-simulated-integrated method of instruction. The objective is to help students become better readers, writers and thinkers in all their classes. Studies have shown learning is most effective when students acquire the skills they need, retain that knowledge and are able to apply the information. The separated-simulated-integrated approach works for learning vocabulary and individual facts about a subject to organizing a writing assignment to preparing an oral presentation. It teaches critical thinking and enhances the ability to apply concepts instead of just memorizing isolated bits of data. This activity teaches effective note taking and communication skills, requires the ability to speak, listen, analyze and evaluate data and integrates new information.
5. Answer: B
Teachers in every discipline have a responsibility to teach students not only the facts about a topic, but also how to think about and approach a task and complete the assignment. Instead of focusing on memorizing the data, creative teachers give students ways to discover the answer through research and reasoning. They incorporate relevant commentary and detailed explanations into the instructions for all assignments. Students learn better, retain data longer, recall it easier and integrate it more effectively when they understand the how and the why, not just the what. Providing guidelines that explain how to approach a task (such as breaking it into smaller, more manageable parts) give students valuable tools that can also be used to make choices in areas outside of the academic environment. This is a prime example of making learning relevant to life.
6. Answer: D
There are two reasons to read; for pleasure and to learn. Ideally the two work together. Whatever the motivation, ideas are formed and connections made and new data is integrated with already known information. Students should read to improve comprehension of new material, develop a broad, eclectic background of knowledge and to expand their vocabulary. Research has shown reading is the most effective way to increase vocabulary. Using class discussions to highlight, summarize, review and critique reading material contributes to a positive reading experience. Good reading skills are essential to learning, no matter what the discipline. Teachers can be an integral part of getting students motivated and excited about reading by explaining how the information gained in an assignment impacts their lives now, as well as how they might use it when they leave school.
7. Answer: A
Comprehension improves when students actively think about what they are reading, apply learned knowledge and experience and connect new information to the world, as they understand it. They should be encouraged to ask questions and create pictures in their mind of what they are reading. When a student visualizes the material, it becomes more personal and real and they are more likely to understand and complete the assignment. When the reader engages in an internal dialogue with the author, he learns more effectively and retains the information longer. Students need to know how to determine the importance of the facts and ideas presented and discriminate between the "must remember" and the "it's interesting but not necessary." Carefully worded questions and lively class discussion help students learn what to look for as they read; whether they are reading for pleasure or to complete an assignment.
8. Answer: C
Math explains the logic of and relationship between numbers. It is used every day in countless ways. In order to minimize potential math phobia, teachers need to make the subject relevant to the students' lives and use examples with which they are familiar and that make sense to them. In order to do that, learning the basics is critical because all math concepts are built on addition, division, fractions and shapes. All mathematical relationships flow from these concepts. It is imperative students understand one concept before moving on to the next. If they fail to grasp the basics, students become confused as they progress to higher levels because they are unable to apply applicable background knowledge when introduced to geometry, algebra, probability and statistics.
9. Answer: A
Social studies is composed of history and the social sciences (government, citizenship, sociology, economics, cultural influences and the effects of technology). Imparting the values and mores of society to impressionable young people and teaching them how to be involved, engaged, active members of the world is a huge responsibility. It is critical teachers use real situations and prod students to use their creativity and unique vision of events to dissect problems and devise solutions. Part of the process is to challenge their thinking and viewpoints by offering stimulating subjects from which to select their reading, writing, discussion and debate topics. The projects need to combine independent study with group responsibilities because this is the way the real world works: People bring their unique perspective to the group and the group reaches a consensus on the best way to tackle a problem. Social studies is a class that can and should be realistic preparation for participation as an adult member of society.
10. Answer: B
Adolescents come to school with background knowledge and a basic understanding of how things work. They have reached conclusions based on their perception of the physical world and what they learned in previous classes. A wise teacher uses students' knowledge and natural curiosity when introducing and explaining complicated scientific concepts. He/she builds on ideas already known and corrects any misconceptions. Teachers should explain that science has a history. Students need to be familiar with the socio-economic environment in which a theory was introduced in order to truly understand why something did or did not work, why it may have been proven wrong or why a better way was discovered with later experimentation.
Last Updated: 02/21/2013