STRATEGIES: MULTIPLE CHOICE
You can improve your performance on the exam by using the following strategies:
1. Understand the format !e Multiple Choice section represents 50% of your overall grade on the exam. You will encounter 55 questions in approximately 80 minutes. Section II consists of various activity “sets,” broken down as follows:

2. Preview the questions Before you read or listen to each selection, skim the multiple choice questions to see what will be asked. Being familiar with the questions will help you anticipate what the selection is about and will help guide your reading/listening.

3. Read the questions carefully Pay close attention to what each question is asking. If you are asked for the main idea, your answer choice will be a broad statement; if asked for a supporting detail, look for specic information. If there is more than one source, make sure you know which source is being referenced.

4. Look for key words Key words in the question stem and/or answer choices may give you clues. If you are asked to identify the purpose of the selection and the answer choices include different verbs, such as analyser, résumer, présenter and critiquer, use these key words to help you make your selection.

5. Anticipate the response Before reading the answer choices, try to articulate what the correct response should be or contain. If you see the response that you anticipated, circle it and then check to be sure that none of the other responses is better.

6. Eliminate illogical answers Every question has four answer choices. If you
can eliminate one or two choices quickly, your chances of choosing the correct
answer increase.

7. Compare answer choices If two alternatives both seem correct, compare the
answer choices for di#erences. !en, check the question stems to determine the
best answer.

8. Be careful of distractors Vocabulary may be used in an answer choice to “trick” or distract you by appearing to be the correct answer. Just because language from the text is used in an option does not mean that it is the correct answer.

9. Pace yourself Do not spend too much time on any one question. If you can’t answer, choose an answer at random, but circle the question number so you can come back to it if you have extra time.

10. Answer every question Do not leave any questions blank.

11. Don’t be afraid to change an answer If, after answering other questions,
you begin to think you may have made a mistake on a previous question, don’t
be afraid to go back and change your answer.

12. Review your answers Try to leave time to review your answers.

PART A INTERPRETIVE COMMUNICATION:
PRINT TEXTS

STRATEGIES: PRINT TEXTS

Section I, Part A requires you to interpret meaning from a variety of print materials.
You will be asked to identify main points and signi"cant details, evaluate the author’s purpose, and make inferences and predictions. To be successful, you should employ a variety of reading strategies:

1. Understand the format You will answer a total of 30 questions

2. Preview the entire selection before you begin Read the title and the introduction, and look at graphics and the visual presentation of text. Find clues to predict what the reading might be about.

3. Determine the author’s message Most selections will focus on one central idea, and identifying that idea is critical. As you read, identify points that the author supports or refutes and look for answers to the following questions:
a. What is the author trying to say and why?
b. How is the author saying it? Is information presented as...
b1. an analysis: objectively presenting information to examine a topic?
b2. an argument: subjectively presenting opinions intended to persuade?
b3. a story: a narrative, usually presenting a conflict and its resolution?

c. What is the author’s point of view?

4. Take notes and underline Keep track of important information as you read. Underline the topic sentence in each paragraph. This will help you verify your understanding of the central idea and see how the passage is structured.
Circle key information such as names, places, events, dates, statistics, facts, or evidence, as well as any cultural references to clothing, food, music, or art.

5. Activate background knowledge Reflect on what you already know and find ways to connect with the content to help make sense of a challenging passage. Connect to personal experiences. What aspects of the reading can you relate to?
Guess the meaning of unknown words based on context and usage.
Use your knowledge of English and French to find cognates, and identify words with
familiar roots, prefixes, and suffixes.