TExES English Language Arts and Reading / Social Studies Exam 4 - 8 Study Guides | TExES English Language Arts and Reading / Social Studies Exam 4 - 8 Flashcards |
113 TExES English Language Arts and Reading / Social Studies Exam 4 - 8 Practice Questions
1. Steps used learning to read include:
A. Memorization of ABC's
B. Recognizing spoken words when written
C. Reading aloud
D. All of the above
2. A child learns to understand words by:
A. How they are used
B. Who is saying them
C. What is going on when he hears them
D. All of the above
3. Some benefits of reading include:
A. Expands knowledge and increasing vocabulary
B. Helps hand/eye coordination
C. Helps student get higher grades
D. All of the above
4. Which of the following steps is not part of the writing process?
A. Developing an outline
B. Writing a sloppy copy
C. Reading it out loud
D. Asking for feedback
5. Some ways to improve students' reading, writing, listening and speaking skills include:
A. Ask questions and critique written work
B. Encourage memorization
C. Dismiss the need to listen
D. All of the above
6. Which of the following does not contribute to language development?
A. Rules, patterns and conventions
B. Changes over time
C. Is one-dimensional
D. Continues after formal schooling has ended
7. Activities that make connections between school, home and the real world include:
A. Explore universal themes and discuss current events
B. Require memorization
C. Assign topics relevant to Medieval England
D. All of the above
8. Social studies projects should:
A. Stimulate students' creativity
B. Challenge students' thinking
C. Combine independent study with group activities
D. All of the above
9. Standards for intellectual work include:
A. Ability to communicate knowledge
B. Disciplined inquiry
C. Lists of facts to memorize
D. All of the above
10. Dr. Fred M. Newmann's standards to measure the quality of instruction are:
A. Higher-order thinking and depth of knowledge
B. Connectedness to the world
C. Social support for student achievement
D. All of the above
ANSWER KEY EXAM 113
1. Answer: B
Fluency is the ability to comprehend the written word accurately and quickly. Fluent readers recognize words and expressions and understand their meaning automatically. They don't focus on the words, they concentrate on the meaning. They make connections between knowledge they already have and ideas and concepts discovered in the new information. Vocabulary is vital to comprehension. In order to read, a student must be able to decode the letters, arrange them in a logical sequence and know what each word means. Readers need to recognize what spoken words look like when they see them written. If readers don't recognize the words they see in print, they won't understand the ideas and concepts being discussed. As students are introduced to unfamiliar subjects, they must expand their vocabulary in order to understand the new content.
2. Answer: D
A child learns to recognize and understand words by how they are used, who is saying them and what is going on around him when he hears them. He learns the meanings of words and adds to his vocabulary through listening to and participating in conversations, when adults read to him and by reading on his own. A student expands his vocabulary when a teacher:
- Explains the meaning of unfamiliar words before he reads assigned text
- Encourages students to look for the new words and use ones just learned
- Provides the same words in different contexts to help understanding, memory and retrieval
- Defines new words, uses them in sentences and relates them to familiar scenes and situations
3. Answer: A
To encourage reading, students should be allowed to select topics and media they find interesting and relevant. Any reading helps build a foundation of basic knowledge, expands vocabulary and improves fluency. Participating in discussions helps activate background knowledge, integrate and connect new data with previously acquired information and leads to necessary revisions in understanding. For students to remember a word or a term and add it to their active vocabulary, it should be relevant to them, essential to understanding the material and reflect key concepts. Students should be able to make a connection to information they already know, relate the term to personal experience or use it to solve a real problem. Discussing examples and/or applications of the word in a different context along with examples of how not to use it help students understand.
4. Answer: C
A well-written paper takes thought and preparation. The steps in the process help produce a well-crafted, interesting paper. Learning this method helps students write better papers in all their classes, not just language arts.
Brainstorm by reading and researching different subjects to generate ideas. Take notes and highlight important facts. Write down book and article titles, authors and page numbers.
Develop an outline of the main topics to be covered. This guide can be general or detailed depending upon the writer's preference.
Write the first version or rough draft. Sometimes this is called the "sloppy copy."
Revise the rough draft. Rewrite awkward sentences, add and delete information, improve the introductory and concluding paragraphs.
Edit the revised version. Correct spelling and grammar errors.
Ask for feedback. Have a parent or peer review and comment.
Make corrections.
Print (publish) the final version.
Learn from the teacher's comments.
5. Answer: A
Read with expression and enthusiasm. Let students decide the topics to read. Encourage critical thinking, ask probing questions, and pose different scenarios. Assign written essays, reports and term papers. Giving students the latitude to choose subjects encourages creativity. Critiquing and editing helps them learn to think critically and assess their work more accurately. Listen carefully to what each student says, what they say to each other and be attentive during discussions. Paraphrase to make sure meaning and intent is clear. Always use proper English when lecturing, interacting with groups and during private conversations with students. Have students take turns leading class discussions, reading out loud and making formal presentations.
6. Answer: C
Students need to understand language is integral to learning and developing skills in all fields of study and carries over into life after school. Language is not static or one-dimensional. It varies depending upon the audience (parents, peers, professors), has structural rules, patterns and conventions and changes over time with continued use. It entails speaking, listening and writing. It requires the speaker, listener and writer to respond, interpret, assess and integrate. In today's information age, media and technology play important roles. It is critical that students be taught methods to dissect and discriminate the digital data received and learn to scrutinize the sources from which it comes. The classroom should be a place where students feel safe to explore, ask questions, take risks and develop effective listening, speaking and writing skills.
7. Answer: A
Knowledge gained in school needs be meaningful and make sense to students. Planning lectures, special projects and field trips that explore universal themes and address national or international issues makes lessons real and relevant. Assigning a Stephen King novel and searching for a similar theme in a Shakespeare play then showing the relationship to the political situation in a third world country is teaching students how to think critically and creatively and make connections to the real world. Use unexpected opportunities to connect school life to real life. Example: during career day students interview a guest, write an evaluation of the merits and drawbacks of the profession and debate its desirability as a career option.
8. Answer: D
An important goal of teaching social studies is imparting the values and mores of society and encouraging adolescents to be involved, engaged, active members of the world. It is critical teachers use real problems appropriate to the students' age and prod them to use their creativity and unique vision of events to dissect problems and devise solutions. Part of the process is to challenge students thinking and viewpoints by offering stimulating subjects from which to select reading, writing, and 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.
9. Answer: B
Dr. Fred M. Newmann is the Director of the Center on Organization and Restructuring of Schools and Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Wisconsin. After studying many programs that various schools have used to try to improve the quality of instruction, he developed the concept of and standards for authentic intellectual work. He defines authentic as "significant and meaningful rather than trivial and useless." He identified three criteria that are present in authentic achievement: Students learn and gain knowledge; they use "disciplined inquiry" to learn; they apply the knowledge gained to situations outside of school.
10. Answer: D
Higher-Order Thinking requires manipulation of information by synthesizing, generalizing, explaining and hypothesizing ideas. Depth Of Knowledge occurs when students understand and can discuss and evaluate key ideas. They are able to explain core concepts, identify relevant problems and devise logical solutions. Connectedness To The World means students apply knowledge gained in school to real-world issues in the public arena and their personal lives. Substantive Conversation occurs when students can identify and discuss key concepts by forming intelligent questions, offering logical solutions and exhibiting a clear understanding of the topic. Social Support For Student Achievement establishes and expects all students to meet high standards, help and respect each other and create an atmosphere conducive to achieving that goal.