Reading Strategies for Praxis I

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Reading Strategies for Praxis I
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BE READY FOR THE TEST

• Prepare with daily reading practice!
• BEFORE THE TEST
• Eat a nutritious protein carbohydrate meal
• Dress comfortably
• Arrive early
• Bring photo ID
• Get plenty of sleep
• Relax

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GENERAL TEST-TAKING TIPS

• DURING THE TEST
• RELAX and take deep breaths
• Write on the test booklet or scrap paper
• Eliminate the incorrect answers
• Narrow down the choices. If you dont know the
  answer, then guess. There is no penalty for
  guessing. (When wild guessing, always choose
  same letter)
• Pace yourself
• Use all available time go back check

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STEPS FOR READING SUCCESS

• S.A.V.E.
• Skim the passage first
• Read each question stem
• Actively read passage for maximum comprehension
• Visualize as you read
• Evaluate comprehension

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Reading Skills on Praxis I

• Finding topic sentences
• Identifying the main ideas supporting details
• Making inferences
• Summarizing
• Skimming
• Distinguishing between fact and opinion
• Identifying authors purpose, tone, and bias
• Using context clues and structural clues for
  vocabulary words

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MAIN IDEAS AND DETAILS

• Identify main idea sentence
• Topic Authors most important point about the
  topic Main idea sentence
• May be stated at the beginning, middle, or end
• General - covers all other information in
  paragraph
• The other sentences support, explain, give
  examples, or tell more about the main idea
  sentence

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SIGNAL WORDS

• Use to find main points and supporting details
• LISTING (First, another, also, in addition,
  furthermore, finally)
• SEQUENCE (First, next, while, during, last,
  before, following)
• COMPARE CONTRAST (Like, also, both, but,
  however, yet, on the other hand, although)
• CAUSE EFFECT (Because, as a result, hence,
  since, thus, so, therefore, consequently, due
  to)
• Resource See a study skills tutor for practice
  with handouts in Academic Skills

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INFERENCES

• Reader
• Locates ideas not directly stated
• Uses prior knowledge logic authors clues
• Draws conclusions based on available evidence
• Resource See a study skills tutor for practice
  with RFU cards in Academic Skills

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CRITICAL READING

• Tone authors attitude or feeling how the
  author would sound if speaking
• Purpose Why the author wrote the passage
• (describe, entertain, inform, narrate,
  persuade)
• Fact vs. opinion
• Facts are supported with details and
  examples
• Opinions are supported with arguments,
  examples, other details
• Bias Reveals authors prejudice author is
  trying to convince or
• influence the reader through
  emotional appeal or slanted writing

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VOCABULARY

• Context Clues using surrounding words and
  sentences (reading around the word)
• 1. Definition
• 2. Example / synonym
• 3. Contrast / antonym
• Structural Clues word parts
• 1. Prefixes
• 2. Roots
• 3. Suffixes
• Resource Subscribe to A Word A Day
  http//www.wordsmith.org/

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READING ENDURANCE

• More reading will build
• Reading stamina
• Reading speed
• Background knowledge
• Confidence
• Resource Computer programs in Academic Skills
• Ultimate Speed Reader Advancing Reading Skills

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PRACTICE! PRACTICE!

• Read everyday
• Read for pleasure (fiction non-fiction)
• Read Newsweek Time magazine
• Read high school level science, history, and
  psychology books (in LRC) to build background
  knowledge
• Read the daily newspaper (editorials)
• Read! Read! Read!

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COMMITMENT!

• Seek help from a Study Skills tutor in Academic
  Skills (ED 1111)
• Set reading goals!
• Sacrifice!
• Prioritize!

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ONLINE RESOURCES

• ETS TEST INFORMATION
• http//www.ets.org/praxis/
• PRACTICE READING PASSAGES
• http//www.testprepreview.com/
• VOCABULARY
• http//cctc2.commnet.edu/grammar/vocabulary.htm
• http//www.m-w.com/netdict.htm