Multiple Choice Assignment
Day 1: For example—Monday. Give copy of passage to students and have them complete the following assignment. Do not give students the multiple choice questions that accompany the passage.
Student Directions: Read the assigned passage and complete the following exercises. Remember to complete Step #2 on a separate sheet of paper.
1. Highlight every other sentence. This practice helps you see the length of the sentences. Remember: The longer the sentence, the greater the emotion, information, or description. The shorter the sentence, the greater the drama. Look for the shortest sentences to get the gist of the passage. Also, because the multiple choice questions follow in order through the passage, you can find your place quicker if you underline every other sentence.
2. On a separate sheet of paper, list every word you don’t know or are unsure about.
For a while, we will compile these lists together. Beside each word, write a clear dictionary definition that doesn’t use the word itself. Be sure to note the context of the word so you write the definition that best fits the word. You will turn in the vocabulary work before the test on the passage.
Note: You may use your notes on the passage on the test, but you may not use your vocabulary definitions. If you write your definitions on the same page as your notes and passage, you will not be able to use your notes on the test.
3. Paraphrase every sentence. Put it in your own words using the dictionary definitions where needed. Remember that often your paraphrases will be longer than the original sentences in the passage.
4. Summarize each paragraph in one sentence.
5. Summarize the entire passage in one sentence.
Reminder: Keep the Vocabulary Definitions on a separate sheet of paper.
Day 2—For example, the next Monday, one week later.
1. Students will answer the multiple choice questions that accompany the passage. If there are 8 MC items, add 2 MC items that deal with vocabulary words from the passage and definitions to make a 10 item test.
2. Give students a new passage to read, annotate, summarize, etc. using the 5 steps above. Present them with the MC items for the passage one week later.
Multiple choice scores should be adjusted using the attached formula.
Adjusting scores to match the AP Lit or Lang Exam scoring
Start with the percentage the students get correct.
For simplicity lets take 7/14 which is 50%.
Then take the square root of 50 which is 7.07.
Then multiply by 10 = 70.7 or 71%.
Just to make sure....
10/12 = 83%. (Applying the standard curve would be (.91) or 91%.)
Square root of 83 is .91
Multiply by 10 and you get 91%.
This score adjustment reflects the scoring on the AP Lit or Lang exam. The students think it is fair. It bumps a 25% up to a 50%...
Remember, scoring 75% correct on the MC section of an AP Exam put the student in a position to make a 5 on the exam. A 5 on the exam should be an A+ in your class, therefore, an exact per cent is an unrealistic score on that assessment.