FCAT 2.0 Reading

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FCAT 2.0 Reading
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Length and Number of Questions on FCAT 2.0
Reading Exam
Grade Minutes Number of Questions 6 140
50-55 MC 7 140 50-55
MC 8 140 50-55 MC 9 140
50-55 MC 10 140 50-55 MC
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Reporting Categories
FCAT FCAT 2.0
Words and Phrases in Context Vocabulary
Main Idea, Plot and Purpose Reading Application
Comparison and Cause/Effect Literary Analysis (Fiction and Nonfiction)
Reference and Research Informational Text Research Process
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FCAT Reading Content
Vocabulary Reading Application Literary Analysis Informational Text
Meaning of words in context Main Idea Use of Comparison and Contrast Organization interpretation of information
Word Analysis Supporting Details Cause Effect Relationship
Chronological Order Similarities and Differences among characters, setting, and events
Authors Purpose in Simple Text Plot
Development Conflict Resolution
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New FCAT Reporting Categories for Reading
Grades Vocabulary Reading Application Literary Analysis Informational Text
3-5 15-25 25-35 25-35 15-25
6-7 15-25 25-35 25-35 15-25
8 15-25 20-30 20-30 25-35
9-10 15-25 20-30 20-30 25-35
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Types of Reading Text
Grade Literary Informational
4-6 50 50
7-8 40 60
9-10 30 70
Literary passages provide entertainment or
inspiration and include fiction, nonfiction,
poetry, and drama. Informational passages are
subject-matter centered and the language may be
used to solve problems, raise questions, provide
information, or present new ideas. The context of
these passages includes everyday life outside of
the classroom.
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Types of Literary Text

• Fiction
• Short Stories
• Poetry
• Historical Fiction
• Fable
• Folk Tales Tall Tales
• New for FCAT 2.0
• Legends
• Myths
• Fantasy
• Drama
• Excerpts from longer works

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Types of Literary Text

• Non-Fiction
• Biographical and autobiographical sketches
• Diaries, memories, journals and letters
• Essays (personal and classical narratives)
• Critiques

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Types of Informational Text

• Functional Materials
• Consumer Documents (warranties, manuals,
  contracts, applications)
• Embedded in text (tables, charts, maps, graphs,
  illustrations, photographs, captions, text boxes)
• How - to Articles
• Brochures
• New for FCAT 2.0
• Schedules
• Website pages

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Types of Informational Text

• Functional Materials
• Consumer Documents (warranties, manuals,
  contracts, applications)
• Embedded in text (tables, charts, maps, graphs,
  illustrations, photographs, captions, text boxes)
• How - to Articles
• Brochures
• New for FCAT 2.0
• Schedules
• Website pages

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Categories for Reading

• Vocabulary
• Definitions ONLY??? NO!
• Vocabulary is composed of
• Context clues
• How to use the word in a sentences (Same meaning,
  analyze how it is used)
• Synonyms (similar), Antonyms (opposite)
• Use of Prefix/Suffix
• Use of Roots and Base Words

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Reading Application

• Authors Purpose
• Persuade, Entertain,
• Inform, Educate
• Main Idea (Stated or Implied)-, Title, First
  sentence, Last paragraph/Last sentence/Inference(Y
  ou must draw conclusions on your own)
• Relevant Details (Most important details that
  relate to the main idea)
• Authors Perspective How does the author FEEL
  about the topic? Perspective involves emotion or
  opinion.

• TEXT STRUCTURE
• How is the text organized
• Chronological order (First, second, last)
• Compare/Contrast
• Flashbacks
• Examples
• Cause/Effect
• Problem Solution
• Details
• Argumentative Support

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Literary Analysis Fiction/Non-Fiction

• Descriptive Language (tone, mood, irony, imagery,
  alliteration, onomatopoeia)
• Alliteration (Think Sounds and Poetry)
• FIGUARTIVE LANGUAGE HYBERBOLE, SYMBOLISM,
  SIMILE, METAPHOR, PERSONIFICATION

• Plot Development
• Foreshadowing,
• Flashback
• Setting
• Character Development
• Character Point of View
• THEME (Lesson)
• Conflict/Resolution

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INFORMATIONAL TEXT/RESEARCH PROCESS

• It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you do NOT SKIP
  over the photographs, captions, graphs, text
  boxes or other features provided. They contain
  important information that WILL help you.

• TEXT FEATURES PHOTOGRAPHS,
• HEADING, SUBHEADINGS, TITLES, SUBTITLES, CHARTS,
  TEXT BOXES, MAPS, DIAGRAMS, CAPTIONS,
  ILLUSTRATIONS, GRAPHS, BOLD OR ITALIC TEXT.
• They are an AID to help you understand the
  passages.
• Exam makers PAY to put features into the text,
  they will most likely ask you questions involving
  them!

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INFORMATIONAL TEXT/RESEARCH PROCESS (CONTINUED)

• Synthesize information
• (within or across texts)
• Analyze and Evaluate Information
• Determine the validity and reliability of the
  information (within or across texts)
• TIP Reread the portion they are asking about
• TIP Eliminate choices that are Obviously not it

• What does this mean to you? Here are some
  examples
• They may ask you what is the evidence that
  supports
• They may ask According to the article, which is
  correct
• They may ask which evidence suggests
• They may ask you which statement from the
  article provides the best evidence

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Reading Tips

• Review the questions before reading the
  selection.
• Read the passage.
• While reading, underline any words, phrases or
  sentences you think are important to the meaning
  of the passage.
• Put a check mark in the margin across from key
  phrases.
• Mark out the obviously wrong answers.

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• Make sure you read the article carefully. The
  test makers have selected articles for the test
  that they think you dont know very much about.
  That is because FCAT 2.0 is a thinking test.
  It is made to test the strategies that you use
  when you read.
• Pace yourself. You will have about 20 minutes to
  finish each article and questions.
• Make sure you read the headings and captions that
  go with the pictures. They contain important
  information.

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PLEASE REMEMBER

• If you score below 300 on the Reading section of
  FCAT 2.0, you will be required to take an
  Intensive Reading class.
• Try to do your very best so that you do not have
  to take intensive classes next year.

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GENERAL TEST TAKING TIPS

• Be prepared to stick with it throughout the
  entire test.
• Stay focused on your test taking strategies.
• Ignore what others are doing.
• Pace yourself. Do not spend too much time on one
  question. Circle it and come back to it later if
  you have the time.

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• Practice reading nonfiction articles at home
  prior to test day. This might include newspaper
  articles, FCAT 2.0 materials, encyclopedia
  articles, nonfiction books, etc. Try to find the
  main idea, key words and phrases, etc.
• Answer all questions! Dont give up!
• Dont just answer the easy questions and skip the
  hard questions. The hard questions are worth
  more points. If you skip all the hard ones you
  will not score well.

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Seven Smart Reading Strategies

• Step 1 Read and Box the title
• Step 2 Number the paragraphs and/or text
  features.
• Step 3 Read each paragraph and/or text feature.
  Stop and think about what youve read. Write 1 to
  3 key words in the margin for each paragraph.
• Step 4 Read each question and underline 1 to 3
  key words that connect back to the text.
• Step 5 Read each answer and eliminate wrong
  choices.
• Step 6 Prove your answer.
• Step 7 Mark your answer.