MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

• Read passage carefully to make sure that you understand the meaning behind the excerpt/poem
• Do the easiest questions first
• If you find yourself spending too much time on a particular question, circle it in your test booklet, skip it, and come back to it later if you have the time
• Always watch for key words such as: EXCEPT, all of the following are true EXCEPT, which of the following are FALSE, pick the BEST answer choice, etc. . .
• Do not randomly guess, as each wrong answer will deduct a quarter point off your total multiple choice score
• Try to eliminate wrong answer choices on difficult questions. If you are able to eliminate at least two choices (three is better) then you may try to make an educated guess, as you have a better possibility of guessing correctly
• Pace yourself by working quickly but carefully because time is a factor
• Don't panic if you do not understand a passage. Try reading the passage again and looking at the questions to see if they will help give you a clue about what the passage may be about
• Always try your best!

ESSAY QUESTIONS

• Remember that the questions do not have to be answered in order. Answer the questions in the order that you wish to answer them
• Remember to pace yourself, giving each question about 40 minutes
• DO NOT SUMMARIZE THE PLOT
• Support with EXamples (S.E.X.)
• In the question, underline exactly what the question is asking (the what and the how)
• Remember to answer both the "what" and the "how" in your essay
• Cluster your ideas on the passage itself before writing your essay
• Think TP-CASTT(Title, Paraphrase, Connotation, Attitude, Shift, Title, Theme)
• On the open ended literature question, remember that you do not have to choose from the list of books listed - they are just suggestions (but you should know that these books are listed because they definitely apply to the question)