* nj ask *

*NJ ASK *

What is the NJ ASK test?

The NJ ASK Test is given by the State of New Jersey to all of New Jersey’s public school students in grades 3-8.

You must take the NJ ASK test so the State can determine if you are learning the proper skills in your classroom.

The test changes a little bit each year, but you will always be tested in Language Arts!

Tasks & Time ManagementExplanatory Essays and/or Speculative Prompts (30 minutes) –

Use 5 minutes to plan, 20 minutes to write, and 5 minutes to edit using the Writer’s Checklist.

Reading Comprehension Passages with Multiple-Choice Questions and an Open-Ended Response (30 minutes for each reading selection) – Use 10 minutes to read and underline, 10 minutes to complete the multiple-choice questions, and 10 minutes to compose your open-ended response.

Persuasive Essay (45 minutes) – Use up to 10 minutes to plan, 25 minutes to write your essay, and 10minutes to edit using the Writer’s Checklist.

Writing a Speculative EssayTo get a good score on this part of the

test, you need a good imagination.You need to have a good idea for your

story and tell the COMPLETE story.You will need to write your story around

a conflict that you will resolve.You will need enough details so your

reader understands your story.You will need to bring your story to a

logical conclusion.You will need to use correct grammar

and spelling!

What will you have to write about?

You will be given a brief description of a situation. Then, you will be asked to think about what you feel might happen as the situation develops--BASICALLY, you need to write a story from the details given!

Make sure your story makes SENSE and the reader knows EXACTLY what’s happening.

Write about the prompt that is given! DO NOT write about an adventure to outer space if the prompt deals with a child having trouble in school.

Let’s try one!REMEMBER: For your speculative essay, “speculate”

what might happen in certain situations. You WILL NOT be arguing a point. Address the main question, “What do you think is happening?”

Time to practice: Imagine you have a Chihuahua puppy. Your puppy is a very excitable dog that always seems to have a lot of energy. Today, you hear your dog barking more loudly than usual. What might be causing your dog to be so excited?

Let’s try another one!REMEMBER: Do not simply describe what you see in

your mind. Instead, make up a story about what is going on and base it on events that most people would understand.

Time to practice: You are walking down the street when you notice there is a large box wrapped in birthday paper. The tag on the box has a name written on it, but it’s hard to read since it is a little smeared. Think about the box you have found and fill in the details!

10 Steps to “Speculative” Success

1. Create the realistic main conflict: Think about possible situations/plots that will revolve around the main problem.

2. Create the plot (plan of action)3. Create the setting: Make sure you include details to make

your story more real.4. Give each main character a personality: They each need

names and traits.5. Develop the story: Think about the plot chart..exposition,

rising action, climax, falling action, resolution.

10 Steps to “Speculative” Success

6. Write the solution for the problem: Include the lesson that was learned!

7. Give your story a title!! ALWAYS! NO EXCEPTIONS! Make it creative!!

8. Write your first draft and…9. Consider ADDING DIALOGUE to help your reader

understand the thoughts of the characters.10.EDIT & SUBMIT: Check grammar & spelling, content,

and make sure you don’t fall behind on time!

C.A.P.S.S. Creating a plan is encouraged! (t-chart, quick free write, timeline, etc.).

A mnemonic to help you remember the elements of good speculative writing is: CAPSS.

C – (character) A – (action) P – (problem)

S – (solution)

S – (setting)

Try it by yourself…Speculative Prompt:You and your friends are walking on the beach one afternoon, and

you discover a bottle on the shore. After a lot of effort to uncork the bottle and take out its contents, you discover a crumpled Polaroid photograph and a note that simply reads, “HELP US!” The photograph is in color, but it is obviously older. The picture is of two sets of legs with bare feet dangling over what looks like a cliff of water below. The sunlight is reflecting off a portion of the water. What is the story behind this scenario? Use your imagination and experience to explain what the story is about or to narrate what is happening.

**You have 30 minutes… Ready, Set, GO!

Writing an Explanatory EssayFor the explanatory writing task, you

will write an essay based on a quotation or about a topic accessible to all students.

Each is a springboard for the student to write an essay that informs the reader.

Students will be asked to explain their point of view and to create an original work.

Explanatory writing may be based on the writer’s personal knowledge and experience, or on information presented to the writer.

Writing an Explanatory EssayStudents are given 30 minutes

to complete this section. Each student is given two blank

planning pages and four lined-pages. Only the lined-pages are scored.

During testing, the NJ ASK Writer’s Checklist is provided to encourage students to read, reread, revise, and edit their written work.

Explanatory Prompt – Essay Based on a Topic

Example: Most people have a special activity or hobby that they enjoy. Some people collect things while others like to read or play games. What activity do you like to do?

Write an essay describing what you enjoy doing. Explain why that activity is special to you.

Strategies for Organizing Explanatory Writing Based on a Topic

Be sure to include details and facts to support your explanation.

Think about the topic and incorporate your own experiences. Open with a creative idea and state details to support your

idea. Explain how your own situation relates to the topic. (Don’t

forget, the NJASK people don’t know you, so even if you never directly experienced something relative to the topic…MAKE IT UP!)

Summarize the prompt details and end with a creative statement.

Explanatory Prompt – Essay Based on a Quote

Example: You are submitting an essay to for an essay completion at your school. You have been asked to consider how the following quotation is related to you.

“When you choose your friends, don’t be short-changed by choosing personality over character.” - W. Somerset Maugham

Write an essay explaining what this essay means to you. Use details and examples in your essay.

Strategies for Organizing Explanatory Writing Based on a Quote

Talk about one significant experience in your life that relates to the quote and discuss it in all of the paragraphs. In each paragraph, explain different aspects of this experience.

Use several smaller experiences and focus on a different one in each paragraph.

Explain how your own situation relates to the quotation. (Don’t forget, the NJASK people don’t know you, so even if you never directly experienced something relative to the quote…MAKE IT UP!)

Try it by yourself…Explanatory Prompt:You are submitting an essay to the annual essay competition at your

school. You have been asked to consider how the following quotation is related to you.

“You make the world a better place by making yourself a better person.” ~ Scott Sorrell

Write an essay explaining what this quotation means to you. Use details and examples in your essay.

**You have 30 minutes… Ready, Set, GO!

Writing the Persuasive EssayThe purpose of the persuasive essay is to persuade the reader that your point is correct.

Your audience includes individuals who will be reading hundreds of essays on the same topic over a short period of time. Be original and try not to be boring!

Remember, they read your work once and score it based on first impression.

You will have 45 minutes to write this essay and it MUST be FIVE PARAGRAPHS!!

10 Steps To Persuasive Success1. Read the prompt AND the directions: If the

prompt asks you to write an ESSAY, write one! If it asks to write a persuasive LETTER, write one!

2. Create a title: It will help to guide your thoughts and make your position clear.

3. Create a 3-part thesis statement: You should always include 3 examples to make an argument successful. Give 3 good reasons why you have chosen your specific position!

4. Make a “common sense” check: Ask yourself- Does my thesis make sense? Am I saying what I want to say? Do my ideas make sense?

5. Add supporting details to your 3 main arguments.

10 Steps To Persuasive Success

6. Restate your thesis in your conclusion.7. Use transitions: Transitional phrases are

a critical element to help you boost your score!

8. Begin with a “hook” or “grabber” sentence: Some may include a rhetorical question, an interesting fact or observation, or a startling statement relating to the topic directly.

9. Check your time and write your final draft

10. Proofread, edit, & submit!

Important Transitional Words/Phrases

To show organization:

To begin withFirstly/Secondly/Thirdly

FinallyIn addition

AlsoAnother example of this

To show opposing ideas:

Even thoughWhile

AlthoughIn spite of the fact that

On the other handIn contrast

Important Transitional Words/Phrases

To criticize an idea:

NonethelessNeverthelessRegardless of

InsteadConsequently

To close or reinforce a point:

ClearlyAs it has been proven

EvidentlyTruly

In factFor all of these reasons

UndoubtedlyUnquestionably

Let’s try one!As a result of complaints by some students that the school lunch break

is too short, the student council has proposed a new schedule to the principal that would add 10 minutes to lunchtime. This proposal would also result in a later dismissal time at the end of the day.

The principal is asking students to write letters supporting or opposing this proposal. Think about the effect this would have on you and students in your school. What are the advantages? What are the disadvantages? What is your point of view?

-Write a letter to the principal in which you support or oppose the decision to add 10 minutes to the school day to lengthen the lunch break. Use examples and other evidence to support your decision.

Persuasive Essay Writing Prompt Revising Checklist

INTRODUCTION Did I remember to …begin with a grabbing lead?include background information and state the issue

from the question?include a thesis statement expressing my opinion?end the paragraph with a brief list of 3 reasons to

support my opinion?


BODYDid I remember to … begin each paragraph with a topic sentence stating the reason

to support my opinion and use transitions? focus each body paragraph on one idea (one idea, one

paragraph)? include facts, examples, descriptions, and anecdotes (personal

stories) to explain my reason in each body paragraph? make sure each body paragraph relates to the thesis

statement?


CONCLUSIONDid I remember to …restate my opinion on the issue?restate the reasons I discussed in the essay to

support my opinion?end the essay with a suggestion or relevant text-to-

self, text-to-text, or text-to-world connection?REVISE AND EDIT!

Timed Prompt!Your school principal wants to get rid of the vending machines in

the school cafeteria. She insists that all the junk food in the school is detrimental to the health of students and staff. Some people disagree with the principal. They say that the kind of quick, cheap food available in vending machines is the perfect snack for hardworking students and staff.

Choose a position on the matter and write a letter to the editor of your school newspaper. In the letter, clearly state your position and give specific reasons to support it. Use examples, facts, opinions, and other evidence to support your point of view and to convince others to agree with you.

Reading ComprehensionYou will be asked to read both informational and narrative texts

on the reading comprehension sections of the NJ ASK.

Informational text is nonfiction. Its purpose is to provide the reader with information about a particular topic. Examples of informational text include your physical science textbook, your economics textbook, and the anti-bullying brochures students made.

Narrative text tells a story. On the NJ ASK, the narrative texts are usually fictional, but a biography is also considered a narrative text.

Reading Comprehension:Tests the general ability to understand what a passage is about

Formulating the main idea:

• Select the main idea in the passage

• Judge the general gist of the passage

• Select the best title for the passage

Spotting details:• Understand specific

references or sections in the passage.

• Identify specific things about the passage.

Reading Comprehension:Tests the general ability to understand what a passage is about

Drawing Inferences:

• Weave together ideas in the passage to see their relationships

• Imply things about the passage even though they may not be directly stated in the passage

Identifying tone or mood:• Figure out the TONE or

MOOD in the passage (serious, sad, funny, etc.)

• Underline key parts, sentences or words in the passage so that you’ll be able to spot things quickly when answering questions.

Responding to the Open-ended Questions

Demonstrate an understanding of the task:The task is the job that you are required to do to

correctly respond to the questions or directions. Make sure you are clear about what is being asked of you. Respond to the specific question or questions that you are being asked. Do not include in your response anything that does not help you stick to your task!


Complete ALL Requirements:Clearly identify the type and number of tasks you are

being asked to complete. If you do not complete all of the tasks, your response cannot be given the highest score. If you are being asked to do two or three different things, make sure you do all of them


Provide an insightful explanation or opinion that links to or extends aspects of the text:

Insightful means thoughtful. When your answer demonstrates insight, you are providing a keen understanding of the text you have read. Your explanation or opinion should reveal original thoughts and ideas about the text. To link or extend the text means to connect the text to something else in an appropriate way. It might mean comparing the text to something else you have read, witnessed, or experienced.

In order to provide a strong response to the open-ended questions on the NJASK, it’s important to understand how to respond to the 8

words that are commonly used in these types of questions.

DESCRIBE

To draw a picture using words, to characterize, to tell about or explain details.

*Describe a character from a movie you have seen who had characteristics you strongly disliked.

IDENTIFY

To recognize or pint out aspects or traits that are specific or related to a given thing.

*Identify 2 ways your school could be improved.



EXPLAIN

To give an account of, to define or describe, to comment on, to account for.

*Explain how your family celebrates a certain holiday.

PREDICT

To forecast, to tell what will happen, to announce beforehand.

*Predict what kind of job you will have when you are 25 years old.



HOW

In what way or manner, to what extent, in what condition, by what means

*How does a specific person make your life better?

WHY

The reason or the cause of, the purpose of, because of, on account of

*Why do you think students have the summers off from school?



WHICH

The one that, one of a number of known or specified things

*Which singers or musical groups of today are your favorites?

WHAT

Which thing or things, any

*What must teenagers do in order for their parents or guardians to trust them?

Reading Comprehension Open-ended Response Checklist

Each bullet represents a specific direction for writing. Do I have a paragraph for each bulleted item?

Have I answered all of the questions asked of me or followed the directions given to me in each bullet?

Have I stayed focused on each specific task as I was asked to complete?

Does my response provide a thoughtful explanation/opinion that links or connects the reading passage to something outside of the text?

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