Expository Writing Pre Assessment

Directions: Read the selection. Then, answer the questions.

Fiction prompt #1:

Nicole and Katherine were thrilled when their team won the soccer game. They both loved the sport and never missed a game or a practice. After the game, the coach invited everyone to go out for ice cream. Nicole wanted to go but instead went home to review some items for a test for which she had been studying. She enjoyed biology and wanted to do well on the test.

Katherine decided to go out, anyway. By the time she got home, she was tired. Nevertheless, she forced herself to stay up late and memorize terms for the biology test.

When they got their tests back, Nicole had done well. Katherine was not surprise at her low grade. “It’s my own fault,” she said. “I’m just no good at biology.”

1. What perspective about soccer do the two girls share?
   1. They think studying is more important than soccer.
   2. They think soccer is more important than studying.
   3. They love soccer and never miss practice.
   4. They can take it or leave it.
2. In what way are the two girls different?
3. Katherine always fails tests
4. Nicole is more popular
5. Nicole is more motivated in school.
6. Katherine is never critical of herself.
7. What trait explains why nicole gets a better grade than Katherine?
8. Nicole is smarter than Katherine.
9. Nicole is friendlier than Katherine.
10. Nicole is more disciplined than Katherine.
11. Nicole is less honest than Katherine.
12. Choose the words that most accurately complete this sentence: Before the test. Katherine is _____ about the test; after the test she is _____.
13. unconcerned; frustrated
14. unconcerned; afraid
15. ashamed; proud
16. angry; confused

Nonfiction prompt #2:

A recent survey of students’ study habits at University of Minnesota has resulted in an interesting finding. How you study is as important as how much you study.

Two researchers examined a class in which students studied the same average number of hours for a weekly test. They wanted to find out why students received different grades, ranging from A to F. They found that students who received A’s tended to pace their studying better than students with lower grades. They spread study sessions out instead of cramming at the last minute. D and F students tended to memorize terms without understanding the information or seeing how it connected to the big picture- things that A and B students did well. Motivation counts, too. “If students are uninterested or not motivated toward the subject, they may not be able to retain the information very well,” said one official familiar with the study.

1. What is the main difference between the groups of students described in the passage?
2. Some studied longer than others.
3. Some had prior experience in the subject.
4. Some studied more effectively.
5. Some had received help from a teacher.
6. What was the same for all the students?
7. They studied the same number of hours.
8. They studied the same number of hours each day leading up to the test.
9. They achieved the same grades.
10. They were equally motivated.
11. In what way were the study habits of A students most different from those of D and F students?
12. A students had taken the class before.
13. A students studied more.
14. A students did not memorize at all.
15. A students studied over time.
16. Based on the study, which statement is true?
17. Motivation matters less than study time.
18. Pacing and understanding are key.
19. Good students do not memorize at all.
20. The same number of study hours produce the same results.